I have replaced the flip rods in my convertible top twice before even with the new improved ones from Top Down Solutions. I thought that I was being very careful with raising and lowering my top. Obviously I wasnt doing everything correctly because I have now bent my third set.. Can someone explain the way that they raise and lower the top in relation to taking care with the flip rods. I have just ordered another set and I would like to have a bit of help with the way you guys take care with the flip rods. Thanks for your help.

 

I bent mine once when I was lowering the top and the car was on an incline.Took them off,bent them back into shape and haven’t had a problem since.

 

Mine were bent when I bought my car. Bought a set from TDS, installed them and bent those within a few days. In the rare occurrence I have my top up and I'm putting it down I just lift it by that second bow and have not had an issue in over a decade.

 

I thought that I was being super careful raising and lowering the top by holding onto the 2nd bow. I have now ordered another set from Lon and will have another go at it. I really think it might be a good idea if the rods were a little thicker. I dont see that would cause a problem and it would give a bit more strength to them.

 

I’ve always grabbed my top from the very front edge and folded it down.

 

I also bent the rods on my ‘92, I bent them back into shape and re-painted them since the paint (Powdercoating?) had cracked. Haven’t had a problem since. I think part of the solution is to use good replacement fiber washers and don’t tighten the nuts too much to where they bind up the rods. I used blue Loctite to keep the nuts on without over-tightening them.

I also bought a pair of the TDS rods with the swivel joints, but I couldn’t get them to fit and had to return them.

 

I did this (pic) after i bent mine too. About half way up after unlatching the front while trying to lower it into the storage. The top stuck, i forced it a bit and that bent the fliprods. Now i just make sure not to force it too much. I think the way the rods are stock causes that sticking point...maybe, idk, but ive been good since.
Stock rods w/ the ends cut off. One side is threaded for adjustment, the other is welded on.

 

FYI, I am making another batch of the flip rods. I have again improved the design. The ball-socket ends now will have the ability to rotate. This improvement means the rods can be used for either driver or passenger side. So you can order an extra one and it will work for either side. I will also plan to include nyloc-insert nuts so they have less chance to loosen under the vibration of driving.

Lon Salgren
Top-Down Solutions

 

Could someone take a picture and insert an image with the placement of these mounts. My car roof is without them and I don't know how to mount them properly.