5th Bow Breaking - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

vanlieremead · 03-17-2012, 06:28 PM

It's been nearly two months since my top was replaced as well as the number 5 bow. I don't have the rub marks again (grinding and masking those clips.) the top is on pretty tight - initially it wouldn't close unless pulled down the final inch or so. But since it's been in the sun and loosened up, it's doing well. It is up and down nearly every day - up in the morning and always down in the evening. It's parked all night down and up all day while parked. Not declaring success yet though but hopeful.

whidobie · 03-30-2012, 05:20 PM

I think i finally caught the 5th bow virus. Taking the car to the dealer in the morning. Car recently celebrated its one year anniversary.
Happy Anniversary as now the "fun begins" :(

deryk · 03-30-2012, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whidobie

I think i finally caught the 5th bow virus. Taking the car to the dealer in the morning. Car recently celebrated its one year anniversary.
Happy Anniversary as now the "fun begins" :(

What were the circumstances under which your 5th bow broke? I've heard the gamut of situations but I think a good number of them involve the top being brought down in particularly cold weather.

I've been testing my top out in my free time and am trying to replicate the situations people post on these boards. I'll tell you it was scary to drop the top in 50 degree weather but so far, so good. *knocking on wood*

whidobie · 03-30-2012, 07:47 PM

Temperature had nothing to do with it as i last had the top down in 60's and 70's. Looked at the top in the garage and noticed it looked funky and it had the issues everyone had complained about. The good thing is that i have been loyal to this dealer for over 20yrs and they have been very loyal back to me.

v8 · 03-30-2012, 07:50 PM

Mine has been good so far, but everytime I raise and lower the top I think......

whidobie · 03-31-2012, 09:20 AM

Just back from the dealer. Service manager immed said yes it is the 5th bow. Ordering the parts for next week. Hawthorne Chevrolet NJ -No games there-they just get it done!

brengeek · 03-31-2012, 11:09 AM

What we were told by service manager is that it all revolves around the water management system ...something in that setup is interfering with the 5th bow operation. Not sure how true that is. We have has the top replaced but no issues (so far) with the bow. Car is scheduled for a replacement water bag ssystem when we surrender it to the dealer.

spikess581 · 03-31-2012, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brengeek

What we were told by service manager is that it all revolves around the water management system ...something in that setup is interfering with the 5th bow operation. Not sure how true that is. We have has the top replaced but no issues (so far) with the bow. Car is scheduled for a replacement water bag ssystem when we surrender it to the dealer.

The engineer that fixed my car said the same thing -water management bag was bunched up in the corner interfering with the bow. New bag also feels different much more pliable.

78RS_to_112SS · 03-31-2012, 07:22 PM

Well, I have rub marks, the material below the rear window is sagging, the seal at the trunk is pulled away. I have wind noise at the back windows again...

Am I wrong in assuming that if it is a bit loose and I hang tight for the "FIX" that it will not break in the mean time?

I see many write ups about the water management system and it "bunching up" what exactly am I looking for and where? Ayone got pics to help me?

spikess581 · 04-01-2012, 12:36 PM

It,s already broke

IL-Tracker · 04-01-2012, 12:46 PM

78RS

Check out this link and look at my pics in post #33. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...=211054&page=2

If your top looks like that you're screwed. I'm getting the 5th bow replaced tomorrow. Hope all goes well.

tracker

78RS_to_112SS · 04-01-2012, 02:28 PM

I better make a little trip to the dealership BEFORE the nice weather hits...

IL-Tracker · 04-02-2012, 12:46 PM

Brought the vert to the dealer this morning to have the 5th bow replaced. Without even asking, dealer said they would work on the top to correct the source of the rub marks - clearly they are aware of the TSBs.

Got a call around 11 AM. Said there were two rub holes in the water management bag (5800 miles) so will overnight a new bag and get it replaced as well. Most likely will be Wednesday before all is done. But, somewhat reassuring, because they really seem to know what is going on.

fwiw - they said the bow itself is not bent or broken. Apparently there are "tabs" on each side/end of the bow that get bent down, (GM thinks cold weather may be a cause) that once bent, allow the bow to come forward when the top is raised. This seems to be the weak link.

Mine was purchased in early June 2011. Had been at the dealer (different dealer than the one doing the warranty work) only about two weeks. Top was never put up or down in below freezing weather.

Cautiously optimistic.

boxmonkeyracing · 04-02-2012, 01:04 PM

good luck to you. but it sounds like you've got a good dealer there.

03-30-2012, 07:50 PM	#19
v8 Drives: 19 Z06 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Oakville Ont. Posts: 1,427	Mine has been good so far, but everytime I raise and lower the top I think...... __________________ Gone but not forgotten: 1974 Corvette Stingray 454 1986 Z28 2009 Mustang GT convertible 2012 45th 2SS Vert 2013 ZL1 M6 2014 Zl1 M6 2014 GT500 2016 Challenger Hellcat M6 www.youtube.com/c/garageking

03-31-2012, 11:09 AM	#21
brengeek Not a dude. Drives: 2012 45th 2ss/rs Join Date: May 2011 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 910 View My Garage	What we were told by service manager is that it all revolves around the water management system ...something in that setup is interfering with the 5th bow operation. Not sure how true that is. We have has the top replaced but no issues (so far) with the bow. Car is scheduled for a replacement water bag ssystem when we surrender it to the dealer. __________________

03-31-2012, 07:22 PM	#23
78RS_to_112SS Finally back in a Camaro Drives: was 1978 RS, NOW 2011 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: NORTHERN, Ontario Posts: 208 View My Garage	Well, I have rub marks, the material below the rear window is sagging, the seal at the trunk is pulled away. I have wind noise at the back windows again... Am I wrong in assuming that if it is a bit loose and I hang tight for the "FIX" that it will not break in the mean time? I see many write ups about the water management system and it "bunching up" what exactly am I looking for and where? Ayone got pics to help me? __________________ It all started with a "78 RS and now, after WAITING a quarter century, a triple black 2011 2SS convertible...

04-01-2012, 02:28 PM	#26
78RS_to_112SS Finally back in a Camaro Drives: was 1978 RS, NOW 2011 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: NORTHERN, Ontario Posts: 208 View My Garage	I better make a little trip to the dealership BEFORE the nice weather hits... __________________ It all started with a "78 RS and now, after WAITING a quarter century, a triple black 2011 2SS convertible...

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03-17-2012, 06:28 PM	#15
vanlieremead Chris Drives: 2011 2SS RS Jewel Red 6.2L Vert Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Cave Creek, AZ Posts: 178 View My Garage	It's been nearly two months since my top was replaced as well as the number 5 bow. I don't have the rub marks again (grinding and masking those clips.) the top is on pretty tight - initially it wouldn't close unless pulled down the final inch or so. But since it's been in the sun and loosened up, it's doing well. It is up and down nearly every day - up in the morning and always down in the evening. It's parked all night down and up all day while parked. Not declaring success yet though but hopeful.

03-30-2012, 05:20 PM	#16
whidobie Drives: 2011 Camaro Convertible 2SS RS Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bergen County, New Jersey Posts: 270	I think i finally caught the 5th bow virus. Taking the car to the dealer in the morning. Car recently celebrated its one year anniversary. Happy Anniversary as now the "fun begins" :(

03-30-2012, 07:47 PM	#18
whidobie Drives: 2011 Camaro Convertible 2SS RS Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bergen County, New Jersey Posts: 270	Temperature had nothing to do with it as i last had the top down in 60's and 70's. Looked at the top in the garage and noticed it looked funky and it had the issues everyone had complained about. The good thing is that i have been loyal to this dealer for over 20yrs and they have been very loyal back to me.

03-31-2012, 09:20 AM	#20
whidobie Drives: 2011 Camaro Convertible 2SS RS Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bergen County, New Jersey Posts: 270	Just back from the dealer. Service manager immed said yes it is the 5th bow. Ordering the parts for next week. Hawthorne Chevrolet NJ -No games there-they just get it done!

04-01-2012, 12:36 PM	#24
spikess581 Drives: IOM2SSconvertible,64 malibu,04fxdwg Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bristol Pa Posts: 356	It,s already broke

04-01-2012, 12:46 PM	#25
IL-Tracker That's why......... Drives: Traded a 2011 2SS/RS A6 Blk Vert Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 118	78RS Check out this link and look at my pics in post #33. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...=211054&page=2 If your top looks like that you're screwed. I'm getting the 5th bow replaced tomorrow. Hope all goes well. tracker

04-02-2012, 12:46 PM	#27
IL-Tracker That's why......... Drives: Traded a 2011 2SS/RS A6 Blk Vert Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 118	Brought the vert to the dealer this morning to have the 5th bow replaced. Without even asking, dealer said they would work on the top to correct the source of the rub marks - clearly they are aware of the TSBs. Got a call around 11 AM. Said there were two rub holes in the water management bag (5800 miles) so will overnight a new bag and get it replaced as well. Most likely will be Wednesday before all is done. But, somewhat reassuring, because they really seem to know what is going on. fwiw - they said the bow itself is not bent or broken. Apparently there are "tabs" on each side/end of the bow that get bent down, (GM thinks cold weather may be a cause) that once bent, allow the bow to come forward when the top is raised. This seems to be the weak link. Mine was purchased in early June 2011. Had been at the dealer (different dealer than the one doing the warranty work) only about two weeks. Top was never put up or down in below freezing weather. Cautiously optimistic.