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Subject:Re: Another pop top hinge repair
From:Alistair Bell
Date:Sat, 23 Jul 2016 12:34:35 -0700

Hey Neil,

I have to imagine the worn crossbar would affect the effort to raise the top to some degree. How much I don't know. But for sure if the bars wears completely through the effort will be higher :-)

I substituted a modified 5/16" socket headed cap bolt for the 8mm diameter pins that limit the bar movement up at the hinge. Drilled the ends of the bolts and put in a retaining wire.

You have to use a pin or wire, using a nut squeezes things and restricts motion of the joint. Same goes for the feet and the roof attachment. They look like 6mm or 1/4" diameter but haven't measured to be sure.

Alistair

> On Jul 23, 2016, at 12:15 PM, Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> thanks for posting that.
> 
> I really should've installed a proper bushing at ID of arm instead of
> slightly enlarged
> 3/4" copper pipe bit. (was thinking of "every person" fix)
> I'm thankful I epoxied a length of 5/8" bolt into each end of bar.
> 
> Along with your comments, I have to wonder how much a damaged cross bar
> affects ease, or lack thereof, of raising the pop top? Speaking of a kit....
> 
> If one loses a pin or two, a clevis pin and cotter pin work in place
> of the OEM pin and press on lock washer. Can't recall dimensions but
> with the proper size pin and cotter, at least
> for lower mount point, they sit flush out of the way.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> On 7/23/16, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>> 
>> Between other things , I futzed around with my spare pop top lifting bar
>> assembly this week. Little stainless steel shaft and a bronze bushing to fix
>> the worn out hinge joint.
>> Just adding one more version of what others have done.
>> 
>> https://shufti.wordpress.com/
>> 
>> Alistair
>> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Neil n
> 
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