That is correct. You are just getting weaker.  Add the Jack Bombay gas springs and you will be a happy camper: http://poptopshocks.blogspot.com/ 

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Edward Maglott
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2015 4:41 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Supporting the pop top to remove the frame

I'm feeling like I'm getting less assist from my springs on my '86.  I can feel those cables at the "elbow" of the apparatus.  when the top is up there is slack in them.  is that right?
Edward

On Tue, Aug 25, 2015 at 12:52 AM, Jeff Palmer <jpalmer@mymts.net> wrote:

> Is there anything holding the bar in there besides a screw on either side?
> I was hoping not to have to remove the frame but it feels pretty tight.
> Possibly because it's misaligned?
>
> Thanks
> Jeff
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Aug 21, 2015, at 1:21 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
> wrote:
> >
> > I'm working on that!  I'll keep you posted.
> >
> > I am surprised that you could insert those ends with the lift 
> > installed though, it would seem alignment would be difficult.
> >
> > David Beierl wrote:
> > A kit of ends to be epoxied into place and/or a replacement bar with 
> > solid ends would be very useful.  Ends could be done in place as I 
> > did; the bar might require removing the frame to install it.
> >
> > Yrs,
> > d
>