I have a 29 Phaeton that I am having some trouble with the top irons sagging on the passenger side. When I purchased the car there was no problem everything was in order. We lowered the top for the drive home and when I put it up the right side iron shows below the top canvas. I can't see any broken or misalignment in the irons but for some reason I can't get it to stay under the canvas. Is there a adjustment or is there something we are doing wrong when we raise it. I have attached some images to better explain my problem.
Phaeton Top Problem
- Thread starter Gnico
- Start date
mercman from oz
Well-known member
Can anyone offer any suggestions to Gnico with his folding top problem?
Mike Peters
Well-known member
I have the same situation with our car. Original top bows. The hinged joint that is exposed below the top is held together with a bolt and thumb screw on our car. I can push it back up under the top, but it hinges right back down when I release the pressure, no matter how hard I tighten the thumb screw. It has been this way since I installed the top a few years ago, and never worried much about it until you brought it up.
Do any other Phaeton owners have the same situation?
Do any other Phaeton owners have the same situation?
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mercman from oz
Well-known member
Mike Peters has a similar problem with the top on his Phaeton?
Here’s a picture of my 1929 Phaeton top bows. As you can see the forward horizontal bow goes on a slight upward angle to rear of car. Also the scissors like rear bow sets solidly on the lower curved one with the triangular shaped tab.
This car has an old ratty canvas top from the 50’s but position has remained the same. My thought is the bow pivot point at body can be rotated slightly toward rear of car. This would draw up on the bows and create a straight slight upward angle there. There’s a lot of geometry going there so hard to say for sure. Could be worse could be a ‘57 to ‘59 Ford Fliptop.
This car has an old ratty canvas top from the 50’s but position has remained the same. My thought is the bow pivot point at body can be rotated slightly toward rear of car. This would draw up on the bows and create a straight slight upward angle there. There’s a lot of geometry going there so hard to say for sure. Could be worse could be a ‘57 to ‘59 Ford Fliptop.
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28PHAETONROY
Member
Gnico
On my 28 there is a sort of locking device made into the the ends of the bows where the thumb screw tightens. There’s a protruded vee on one side and a matching groove on the opposite side so when the bows are pushed up and tightened they are locked into position. Mine never held the joint up perfectly but at least it held it somewhat in place. How are those grooves in yours?
Roy
On my 28 there is a sort of locking device made into the the ends of the bows where the thumb screw tightens. There’s a protruded vee on one side and a matching groove on the opposite side so when the bows are pushed up and tightened they are locked into position. Mine never held the joint up perfectly but at least it held it somewhat in place. How are those grooves in yours?
Roy
28PHAETONROY
Member
Another thing that I’ve suspected of causing this on my A is that the driver side stanchion is slightly bent rearward more than the passenger side about 5/16”which would tilt the bow downward on the driver side, my low side.