The Ford Barn

chrs1961815 · 04-25-2019, 05:39 AM

I have never been satisfied with my 28 Roadster top. It is very difficult to fold down. It seems locked at the joint that bends to fold it. How do I fix this?

chrs1961815 · 04-25-2019, 09:30 AM

Also, these are original irons.

chrs1961815 · 04-25-2019, 12:31 PM

Any takers?

rotorwrench · 04-25-2019, 01:09 PM

I don't have a lot of experience with the earlier 28/29 top irons but I know how they are constructed. There may be some friction going on in the hinge points due to corrosion or perhaps hardware has been replaced at some point that may have created issues. It would take some care to use penetrating oil without affecting the top material but it can be done with care and forethought. If penetrants and exercise don't help, the hinge pins may need to come out for repair or replacement.

Maybe someone that has restored some will step up. Have patience. Where there is a will, there is a way.

chrs1961815 · 04-25-2019, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

I don't have a lot of experience with the earlier 28/29 top irons but I know how they are constructed. There may be some friction going on in the hinge points due to corrosion or perhaps hardware has been replaced at some point that may have created issues. It would take some care to use penetrating oil without affecting the top material but it can be done with care and forethought. If penetrants and exercise don't help, the hinge pins may need to come out for repair or replacement.

Maybe someone that has restored some will step up. Have patience. Where there is a will, there is a way.

Thanks for your input. I was thinking about using some oil on the hinges, but haven't gotten around to it.

Synchro909 · 04-25-2019, 04:55 PM

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I'd use a light weight oil - it will lubricate and penetrate over time quite well. Take care not to get any on the fabric.

California Travieso · 04-25-2019, 05:11 PM

I have a '29 Roadster and putting the top up at my age is really a chore. It gets harder all the time and I definitely need help. For me it's not the top irons that are a problem, it's the top material that is hard to stretch enough to put the clamps on to tighten them.

I have 1930 Roadster project but it doesn't have a top so I cannot compare the two.

David Serrano

chrs1961815 · 04-25-2019, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by California Travieso

I have a '29 Roadster and putting the top up at my age is really a chore. It gets harder all the time and I definitely need help. For me it's not the top irons that are a problem, it's the top material that is hard to stretch enough to put the clamps on to tighten them.

I have 1930 Roadster project but it doesn't have a top so I cannot compare the two.

David Serrano

That is also difficult to on my car. One side has to be done first before the other side can be forced onto the stanchion.

LEM · 04-27-2019, 11:22 AM

To clamp my top on the ‘28 I have to loosen the hinge wing nuts on the windshield and then open the windshield forward slightly. Even doing this sometimes it is a little difficult but much easier.

Jim M · 04-27-2019, 12:11 PM

I have a 29 Roadster that the top was rotten and so was the wood spars. I replace the spars with ones from Lebarron Barney (now out of business) and they work great. I am having a local upholstery shop do a new top for me and he has done another one that works just fine. As mentioned I believe the old top material has no flexibility for its age. Not sure if there is anything you can spray on to loosen it up. New material for the top may need to be in your future plans.

04-25-2019, 05:39 AM	#1
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Top Irons Are Tight I have never been satisfied with my 28 Roadster top. It is very difficult to fold down. It seems locked at the joint that bends to fold it. How do I fix this?

04-25-2019, 09:30 AM	#2
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Re: Top Irons Are Tight Also, these are original irons.

04-25-2019, 12:31 PM	#3
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Re: Top Irons Are Tight Any takers?

04-25-2019, 01:09 PM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: Top Irons Are Tight I don't have a lot of experience with the earlier 28/29 top irons but I know how they are constructed. There may be some friction going on in the hinge points due to corrosion or perhaps hardware has been replaced at some point that may have created issues. It would take some care to use penetrating oil without affecting the top material but it can be done with care and forethought. If penetrants and exercise don't help, the hinge pins may need to come out for repair or replacement. Maybe someone that has restored some will step up. Have patience. Where there is a will, there is a way.

04-25-2019, 04:55 PM	#6
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Top Irons Are Tight Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I'd use a light weight oil - it will lubricate and penetrate over time quite well. Take care not to get any on the fabric. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

04-25-2019, 05:11 PM	#7
California Travieso Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Moreno Valley, CA Posts: 946	Re: Top Irons Are Tight I have a '29 Roadster and putting the top up at my age is really a chore. It gets harder all the time and I definitely need help. For me it's not the top irons that are a problem, it's the top material that is hard to stretch enough to put the clamps on to tighten them. I have 1930 Roadster project but it doesn't have a top so I cannot compare the two. David Serrano

04-27-2019, 11:22 AM	#9
LEM Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Everett, Wa Posts: 84	Re: Top Irons Are Tight To clamp my top on the ‘28 I have to loosen the hinge wing nuts on the windshield and then open the windshield forward slightly. Even doing this sometimes it is a little difficult but much easier.

04-27-2019, 12:11 PM	#10
Jim M Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sebastian, FL Posts: 479	Re: Top Irons Are Tight I have a 29 Roadster that the top was rotten and so was the wood spars. I replace the spars with ones from Lebarron Barney (now out of business) and they work great. I am having a local upholstery shop do a new top for me and he has done another one that works just fine. As mentioned I believe the old top material has no flexibility for its age. Not sure if there is anything you can spray on to loosen it up. New material for the top may need to be in your future plans.