Hardtop Bolt Bumper Install

[Don Z.]

I've searched the forums and have not found an answer to this.
The rubber / plastic bumper that goes in the end of the hardtop deck lid bolt. How do you get it in there? I've gone thru two ( 2 ) sets of bumpers and they seem to break off. They seem too big to go into the hole.
Where is the best pace to purchase. Mine have come from LI but with no success.
Any help or suggestions appreciated

[Stuart F.]

Re: Hardtop Bolt Bumper Install

The same problem remains as it was back in 1976 when I first tried to replace mine. I tried to lower the hardtop by myself with a hoist and these so called bumpers gave way and the bolts skidded across my deck putting big scrathes in it. I'm still mad as heck about it. They just don't work and are not worth using. You MUST use a second man and be very careful. Put them in, yea!, but don't expect them to protect anything or prevent what happened to me. I really don't know why they even put them there except to play a trick on us convertible/hardtop C-2 owners.

Stu Fox

[John H.]

Re: Hardtop Bolt Bumper Install

I really don't know why they even put them there except to play a trick on us convertible/hardtop C-2 owners.

Stu Fox

Stu -

The rubber bumpers are there to protect the folded/stowed soft top skin from being damaged by the sharp ends of the hardtop bolts.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Hardtop Bolt Bumper Install

John;

Thanks. Makes sense. I don't know why I ever got the hardtop in the first place except being a Wisconsinite. It's never seen much service since the early 70's, and even up to then it never fit all that well weather wise. I always thought it looked so "aftermarketish" what with the large extra trim over the windshield and on the deck. One season stored improperly by my buddy and the rear plexi window had stress cracks in it too. Since the 70's, it's only been on the car when I moved it (4 times), and then only to transport it. It now hangs over the front of the car in the garage so I can say "I got one of those". Also, I never realized any extra body strength or less rattles and shimmy with it on, such as you notice with a C-4 with or without the roof panel in place.

Thanks for the correct info though.

Stu Fox

[Don Z.]

Re: Hardtop Bolt Bumper Install

John;
Are they supposed to be rubber or plastic?
All the ones I've ever received were plastic and when you try to insert them, they bend, then they can't be straightened and end up breaking. It looks as though the small barbs are too big.
If they were rubber then they would be more flexible and may slide into the end of the bolt more easily.
Thanks

[Michael H.]

Re: Hardtop Bolt Bumper Install

John;
Are they supposed to be rubber or plastic?
All the ones I've ever received were plastic and when you try to insert them, they bend, then they can't be straightened and end up breaking. It looks as though the small barbs are too big.
If they were rubber then they would be more flexible and may slide into the end of the bolt more easily.
Thanks

I've never been successful at installing these things either. On one set, I drilled the hole in the end of the bolt a little larger and then the bumper fit. I don't remember the size though. It was 30 years ago.

By the way, the originals from GM at that time were the same plastic that you described.

[Joe R.]

Re: Hardtop Bolt Bumper Install

Thought you might want to see some originals and their part numbers. Same as the LI catalog today. PLASTIC

JR

[Jim C.]

Re: Hardtop Bolt Bumper Install

I've never been successful at installing these things either. On one set, I drilled the hole in the end of the bolt a little larger and then the bumper fit. I don't remember the size though.

This is exactly what I did with mine after ruining the first pair because they didn't fit in the holes. They bent and snapped when I tried to push them in. I ordered a second set, drilled the bolt hole a little bigger and then added a drop of super glue down the enlarged hole before I pushed in the bumpers, to make sure they didn't fall out. I haven't had a problem since then.

Jim C.

[Don Z.]

Re: Hardtop Bolt Bumper Install

I'll pick up another set of bumpers at Carlisle in a few weeks and drill the bolt out a little.
Thanks to all for your imput.

[Larry M.]

Re: Hardtop Bolt Bumper Install

Don:

Initially I had the same problem as you. Finally used a needle-nose pliers to hold the barbed section so that only about 1/8 inch of the end protruded from the pliers. I MAY have also used a dab of silicone on a pipe cleaner to lubricate the bolt hole (did this job about ten years ago so my memory is a bit foggy on all the details). Then I pushed the first 1/8 inch of the plastic barb into the bolt.....moved the pliers back another 1/8 inch and shoved the next bumper section into the bolt. I think I had to do this in 3-4 steps to get the entire plastic bumper barbed shaft inserted into the bolt.

The last section was a lot easier to push in than the first section was.

Larry

[Don Z.]

Re: Hardtop Bolt Bumper Install

Thanks Larry, another possibility. Maybe I'll pick up two sets in case I mess one up. I think I will try your way first then go to drilling the hole bigger in a last resort.
Thanks again to all