1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 8. After the top is completely folded into the
compartment, turn the latch handles toward the
center of the vehicle. Close the storage compartment
lid by pushing the front edge down on each side. Try
to lift the lid to make sure it’s latched.
NOTICE:
When closing the storage compartment lid, make
sure the latch handles are turned back toward
the center
of the vehicle. If they aren’t, you may
damage the paint on the lid inner panel.
I
Raising Your Convertible Top
1.
2.
Park on a level surface, set the parking brake firmly
and shift an automatic transmission into PARK (P).
Shift a manual transmission into REVERSE
(R).
Lower both windows and sunshades and turn the
ignition key to LOCK.
Press either the storage compartment lid
release button behind the driver’s seat
or in the
center console.
3.
4.
5.
Turn the latch handles outward. Pull the top up and
forward until it lines up with the windshield.
Latch the top by turning the handles toward the
center of the vehicle. If needed, push down on the
outside corners.
Lift the rear
of the top and close the compartment
lid firmly.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 6. Lower the rear of the top so the latch pins align with
the
holes in the lid. To secure the rear of the top,
push down firmly on
both corners.
7. Fasten the strips for the headliner at the rear of each
window opening.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
~~ ~~
Certain automatic car washes may cause damage
to your vehicle.
The top fabric can be damaged
by top cleaning brushes.
Please be aware that when you raise the convertible top,
the bottom edge rests on a clear, protective tape strip.
This protective strip protects your Corvette from paint
damage
so it should not be removed.
For care and cleaning of your convertible top, see
“Cleaning Your Convertible Top” in the Index.
Convertible Hardtop (Option)
The convertible hardtop is designed for extended use in
both warm and cold weather. The installation and
removal of this top requires two people and takes about
30 minutes. You will need the wrench and ratchet stored
in your center console.
For information on cleaning your
convertible hardtop, see “Cleaning” in the Index.
Removing Your Convertible Hardtop
1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake firmly
and shift an automatic transmission into
PARK (P).
Shift a manual transmission into REVERSE (R).
Lower both windows and sunshades and turn the
ignition key to LOCK.
2. Loosen the front bolts with the wrench.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Y
3. Move both seatbacks forward and remove the rear
trim panel. 4. Loosen the rear corner bracket bolts with the ratchet.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 5. Using the wrench, remove the two lower bolts (A)
from the lock pillar bracket on each side.
6. Remove the bolt (B) from the bottom flange of each
lock pillar bracket.
7. Then remove the two upper bolts (C) from the
receiver bracket on each side.
8. Slide both lock pillar brackets down and forward
from the receiver brackets.
You may need to lift the
hardtop slightly to remove the brackets.
9. Disconnect both wire connectors located behind the
lock pillar brackets. These
are the rear window
defogger wires.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
To help avoid damaging the hardtop when not in
use:
Store the hardtop in its normal position,
resting on
its mounting brackets.
0 Store hardware and trim panel with
the hardtop.
12. Connect the rear window defogger electrical
connectors.
10. With one person on each side, gently lift the hardtop
approximately
8 inches (200 mm) straight up.
Remove the hardtop over the rear of the vehicle.
11. Install the HATCH
(45) fuse to enable the storage
compartment lid release button and center console
release switch. You will need the fuse installed if
you have to raise your convertible top.
The fuse that enables these releases is not installed
at the assembly plant and should be in your center
console. See “Instrument Panel Fuse Block” in the
Index for location of the fuse.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Installing Your Convertible Hardtop
1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake firmly
and shift an automatic transmission into
PARK (P).
Shift a manual transmission into REVERSE (R).
Lower both windows and sunshades. Turn off the
radio to lower the power antenna and turn the
ignition key to the
LOCK position.
2. Disconnect both rear window defogger electrical
3. Lower the convertible top. Refer to “Convertible
connectors
behind the lock pillar.
Top” in the Index.
This procedure will require the use of the storage
compartment lid release button behind the driver’s seat
or the center console release switch. The fuse that
enables these releases is not installed at the assembly
plant and should
be in your center console. See
“Instrument Panel Fuse Block” in the Index for
location of the fuse. The fuse is labeled HATCH (45). 4. With
one person on each side, carefully position the
hardtop over the vehicle. Lower the hardtop slowly,
aligning the rear bolt spacers onto the bezels, and
front conical nuts into the tapered receivers. Realign
the hardtop, if necessary.
NOTICE:
To help avoid damage, don’t force the rear
of the hardtop
down. The hardtop may rest
slightly above the storage compartment lid
until the release lever
is pulled. See Step 8 in
this procedure.
5. Move both seatbacks forward. Slide the lock pillar
bracket into the receiver bracket until the scribed line
is even with the lower edge of the receiver bracket.
6. Connect the electrical connectors and make sure they
are inside the vehicle.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 7.
8.
9.
Insert the two upper bolts into both receiver
brackets. You may have to lift the hardtop slightly
to install the lock pillar bracket.
If the hardtop hasn’t lowered into position, pull the
release lever behind the driver’s seat (located under the storage compartment lid).
Secure but don’t tighten the rear corner bracket
bolts using the ratchet.
10. Tighten the front bolts using the wrench.
11. Insert the lower bolt into the bottom flange of the
lock pillar brackets and tighten. Install and tighten
the remaining bolts into the lock pillar brackets.
12. Using the ratchet, tighten the rear corner bracket
bolts.
Do not over-tighten these bolts.
13. Slide the rear trim panel in place.
If the hardtop isn’t secure, it can’t give as much
protection in a crash.
A loose hardtop could fly
off the vehicle in an accident or sudden
maneuver. You or others could be injured. Don’t
drive your vehicle until all the hardtop fasteners
are tight.
14. Remove the HATCH (45) fuse. Store it in the center
console while the convertible hardtop is in use.
(This will prevent accidental unlatching of the
storage compartment lid.)
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