430 Convertible top replacement

that happens when your buttresses don’t split open properly, forcing the front corners to poke into the side of them instead of going between the two flaps. Mine was like that when I got it. Corners were bent outward and I had horrible dents in the side of the canvas.

 

I guess there’s a chance they stretch into asymmetrical shapes with use? I just know mine had opposing angles at the top.

 

I am not 100% certain how it got worn other than just being beaten up by the previous owner who kept the top down all the time bc the cylinders were failing. It gets kind of hot back there too when you’re really giving the car the beans so all that heat and vibration probably just wears on it over time.
My buttress flaps were ripped out in that the cable didn’t sit inside the seam before the top was replaced so it’s totally possible that caused the rips.

 

Do you have any pictures to demonstrate this? It would be really helpful. I think I have this issue.

 

You can see how the buttresses split open in this picture. The frame corners should go into the opening and not press on any of the fabric.

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So does the cable in the fabric do that function of splitting open the buttress, or one particular elastic strap that does that?

 

There’s a flat metal piece in the top there that forces it to open one way or the other. The position of that flap typically pushes it to the open position but tops that have been incorrectly folded in the past can easily default to the incorrect position which causes the flap to fold in and not open. There’s a small bit of elastic on the inside that is suppose to assist but the design is not robust.

if you see any F430 where the front corner doesn’t close flush to the windshield trim and is bent outward or there is a large dent in the side of the soft top, this is 99% the cause. Eventually leads to a hole.