Chain lube type stuff might do. Easier to apply. Sticks around longer? Try
to sneak some lube in outer end of each arm. I am now partial to the aroma.
That and Rust Check spray (different application)

Maybe test spray lube on spare fabric similar to canvas? See what kind of
stain it leaves? (worst case scenario)

Asked of cable to rule it out as cause for hard to open top.

The poptop assist springs carry more weight than people realize. i.e. I had
unwittingly gotten away with just one working spring. When it failed, the
top get heavy FAST. (Phil Z happened to be nearby. He knew right away what
had happened. I knew nothing of these parts until then)

If you take things apart, would suggest white lithium grease. (less chance
of obvious stain on your canvas should that happen. No. Don't ask  <grin>)

Neil.

On Sat, Jun 4, 2011 at 9:35 AM, Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@gmail.com
> wrote:

>
>
> On Fri, 2011-06-03 at 19:56 -0400, David Beierl wrote:
>
>  [...] if you can sneak in behind and get some spray grease into the
>  critical area that will drag things out considerable I would think.
>  Pretty sure you have to come from the canvas side, get the grease
>  outside the cross-tube, but maybe you can get in between the flanges.
>  Neil has a better head picture of the joint than I do right now, so
>  over to him.
>
>
> Neil? Before I start spraying grease all over the place, do you have any
> Handy Hintz for Lubing Your Poptop Knee that you can pass on?
>   --
>
> Rocky J Squirrel (Jack Elliott)
>
>
>
>
>

--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines