SIMULATED CONVERTIBLE TOP GENERAL REPAIR MAINTENANCE

VEHICLES AFFECTED: 1982-83-84 'E' and 'K' Styles with CF8

Cadillac is producing a limited number of 'E' and 'K' style cars built with the CF8 simulated convertible top option.

A fiberglass cap is secured to the roof panel assembly with a front retainer bracket, silicone and aluminum countersunk closed-end self-sealing pop rivets. A closed-end type rivet is essential to prevent water leaks.

The fabric cover material and fiberglass cap are serviced as a complete assembly. It will be necessary to transfer only the feature strip caps to the new simulated convertible top assembly when replacing the top for any reason. The backlight extension is also serviced separately from the top assembly.

Figure 1 shows the exploded view of the top assembly and is shown for illustrative purposes only. Service adhesives and sealers required to perform the service operations are:

3-M No. 80648 or equivalent for cementing the top material.

Silicone Sealant, either 3M T-3 Silicone No. 08660, Dow-Corning Automotive type or General Electric's Silicone Sealant - for sealing between the quarter glass and cover and back glass and cover. The Silicone sealant must be noncorrosive type.

3-M Body Caulk No. 8547 or equivalent - to seal all the rivet holes.

3-M Butyl Tape or Double Sided Tape No. 6380 or equivalent - to secure the cap to the roof panel and prevent a roof panel flutter.

CARE AND CLEANING OF VINYL COVER MATERIAL

The vinyl cover material used on the Cadillac simulated convertible top option is an extremely durable material that will, with proper care, retain its appearance characteristics for a long period of time. The cover can also be subjected to commerical car wash equipment procedure and cleaning solutions without adversely affecting the appearance of the material.

The cover should be washed frequently with a neutral soap suds, cold or lukewarm water and a soft-bristled brush. Rinse the top with sufficient quantities of clear water to remove all traces of soap. If the cover has been allowed to get severely soiled and cannot be properly cleaned with soap and water, a mild cleaning agent can be used such as GM Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner (GM No. 982659). Rinse the entire top with water; then apply the mild cleaner on a small area (approximately two square feet). Scrub the area with a soft-bristled hand brush, adding water as necessary. Remove the cleaner and water with a sponge and then rinse the balance of the cleaner off with water. Use a liberal amount of water to prevent the cleaner from running down onto the body finish and drying. This could cause streaks to the paint finish.

If the cover material has been contaminated with grease, oil, or tar, use GM Spot Lifter No. 992821 and follow label directions.

No waxes, polishes, bealers or 'dressing' type materials should be applied to the top material.

FEATURE STRIP BOW, RETAINER AND CAP

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

1. Remove the retaining screw from each feature strip end cap and remove the caps from the top (Figure 2).

2. Starting at either end of the feature strip bow, grasp the feature strip bow and pull off of the retainer.

3. Remove the existing silicone from the retainer.

4. Using a No. 29 drill bit with an adjustabie stop set at a maximum drilling depth of 3/8 inch, drill out the exposed pop rivets from the feature strip retainer and remove the retainer from the car.

5. Before installing a new feature strip retainer, seal the open rivet holes with clear silicone sealant.

6. Position the new feature strip retainer on the vinyl top and attach the retainer to the top and fiberglass bonnet with the pop rivets.

7. Apply a bead of silicone across the entire width of the retainer (Figure 2).

8. Starting in the centre of the bow, install the feature strip to the retainer.

9. Trim the ends of the feature strip bow then install a feature strip cap to each end of the bow (figure 2).

BONNET ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT

REMOVAL

1. Cover the front and the rear of the vehicle to protect the painted surface.

2. Mask off the windshield and back window to avoid scratching the glass.

3. Mask off the side roof rail rear vertical scalp mouldings to avoid scratching the mouldings.

4. Remove the feature strip bow, retainer and end caps as previously described.

5. Using a putty knife or other flat-bladed tool, carefully pry the quarter belt mouldings from the retainers (Figure 1).

6. Using a putty knife, carefully loosen the cement bond securing the fabric cover to the fiberglass cap along the edge of right and left quarter panel sufficiently to expose thee pop rivets that secure the fiberglass cap to the body (Figure 3).

7. Starting at the rear end of the side roof rail, use a hook tool (approximately 90 degree bend), insert the tool between the fabric cover material and roof panel. Carefully pull the material flap from under the fiberglass cap along the entire length of the side roof rail.

8. Repeat Step 6 on the opposite side of the car.

9. Using a putty knife, carefully loosen the cement bond securing the fabric cover to the fiberglass cap along the side roof rail sufficiently to expose the pop rivets that secure the fiberglass cap to body (Figure 4).

10. Using a 1/8 inch drill bit equipped with an adjustable stop set at a maximum drilling depth of 1/2 inch, drill out all the exposed pop rivets around the perimeter of the fiberglass cap.

11. Using a flat-bladed tool, carefully break any remaining cement bond that exists between the fiberglass cap and body.

12. Using a flat-bladed tool, carefully break the sealer bond between the windshield header welt and the roof panel assembly (Figure 5).

13. With the aid of a helper, carefully slide the fiberglass cap forward sufficiently to disengage the fiberglass cap from the front retainer and remove the cap assembly from the body.

INSTALLATION

1. Prior to installing the new bonnet assembly, be sure the strips of medium-bodied sealer shown in Figure 6 are complete. Where necessary, add additional sealer to the roof pdnel to act as an anti-flutter (Figure 6). Use the same pattern as shown in Figure 6. Apply a 3/8 inch diameter bead of silicone one inch (1 inch) forward of the roof bracket, across the entire length of the bracket as shown in Figure 6.

2. Where required, install the new double-sided tape in the rear quarter sail and rear compartment front panel areas.

3. With the aid of a helper, carefully place the bonnet assembly on the roof panel approximately two (2) inches ahead of the bonnet retainer.

4. Pull the bonnet assembly rearward until the retainer on the underside of the bonnet assembly is fully engaged with the bonnet retainer on roof panel.

5. When the cap is in its installed position, use as much hand pressure as necessary to firmly seat the fiberglass cap to the roor panel.

NOTICE: Excessive pressure may cause the cap to sink too low and develop a flat spot in the surface of the cover. Once adhered in the wrong position, the cap would have to be removed and recemented to reestablish the proper adhesion and contour of the assembly.

6. The new bonnet should attach to the same rivet holes previously used on the original bonnet. However, in the event new rivet attaching holes are needed, seal all the old attaching holes with a medium-bodied sealer to prevent water entry into the body. Drill the new holes as required using a 1/8 inch drill bit with an adjustable stop set at a maximum drilling depth of 1/2 inch.

NOTICE: All rivets must be aluminum, closed-end pop rivets to prevent water entry into the body.

7. Starting at the front of the car and working rearward, pop rivet the cap to the roof panel assembly. Repeat the procedure on the opposite side.

NOTICE: All the rivet heads must be flush with the fiberglass cap and free of burrs to prevent highlighting of the rivet head through the vinyl cover material. Carefully file or grind the rivet heads as required.

8. Apply a cement around the perimeter of the cover and the fiberglass cap.

9. Firmly 'slick' the top material to the fiberglass cap. The material must be free of all wrinkles and draws.

10. Using a headlining inserting tool, tuck the top material flap under fiberglass cap along the right and left side roof rail.

11. Trim the excess top material at the right and left quarter belt beneath the belt reveal moulding as shown in Figure 3.

CAUTION:

Care must be exercised when trimming the top material to prevent damage to the painted surfaces.

12. Check the quarter panel belt moulding nuts and retainers. Replace the nuts or retainers as required.

13. Install the body caulking compound over all the moulding attaching nuts to prevent water entry into the body.

14. Install all the previously removed mouldings.

15. Clean up the top assembly is required.

16. Remove all the previously installed protective covers and tape from the vehicle.

BACK WINDOW REPLACEMENT

REMOVAL

1. Cover the rear of the vehicle to protect the painted surface.

2. Install a protective cover over the rear seat back to back window trim panel.

3. If the back window is intact, tape the glass to avoid scratches.

4. Remove the rear quarter belt mouldings by prying the push-in retainers from the barrel nuts, four (4) each side, as shown in Figure 1.

5. If the back window is heated, disconnect the feed and the ground wires.

6. Using a putty knife, carefully loosen the cement bond becuring the fabric cover to the fiberglass cap along the edge of the right and left quarter panel sufficiently to expose the pop rivets that secure the fiberglass cap to the body.

7. Starting at the rear end of the side roof rail, use a hook tool and insert the tool between the fabric cover material and the roof panel. Carefully pull the material flap from under the fiberglass cap along the entire length of the side roof rail.

8. Repeat Step 7 on the opposite side of the car.

9. Using a 1/8 inch drill bit, with an adjustment stop set at a maximum drilling depth of 1/2 inch, drill out all the exposed pop rivets around the perimeter of the bonnet assembly.

10. Using a flat-bladed tool, carefully loosen any remaining cement bond that exists between the fiberglass cap and body.

11. Prop-up the rear portion of the bonnet assembly sufficiently to gain access to the back window assembly.

12. Remove the screws securing the backlite lower extension to body and remove the extension (Figure 7).

13. Remove and replace the back window using the conventional method as outlined in the Fisher Body Service manual.

INSTALLATION

1. Install the backlite lower extension to the body.

2. Remove the prop from under the bonnet assembly and place the bonnet in its installed position.

3. Use hand pressure to seat the bonnet assembly to the roof panel.

4. Starting at the front of the car and working rearward, pop rivet the cap to roof panel assembly. Repeat the procedure on the opposite side.

NOTICE: All rivet heads must be flush with the fiberglass cap and free of burrs to prevent highlighting of the rivet head through the vinyl cover material. Carefully file or grind the rivet heads as required.

5. Apply cement around the perimeter of the cover and fiberglass cap.

6. Firmly 'slick' the top material to the fiberglass cap. The material must be free of all wrinkles and draws.

7. Using a headlining inserting tool, tuck the top material flap under the fiberglass cap along the right and left side roof rails.

Check the quarter panel belt moulding nuts and retainers. Replace any damaged nuts or retainers as required.

9. Install body caulking compound over all the moulding attaching nuts to prevent water entry into the body.

10. Install all the previously removed mouldings.

11. Clean up the top assembly as required.

12. Remove all the previously installed protective covers and tape from the vehicle.

BACKLITE LOWER EXTENSION

REMOVAL

1. Cover the rear of the vehicle to protect the painted surface.

2. Open the rear compartment lid.

3. Remove the screws securing the backlite lower extension to the body and remove the extension (Figure 7).

INSTALLATION

1. Install the body caulking compound over the attaching screw holes to prevent water entry into the body.

2. Position the backlite lower extension to the body and install the attaching screws.

3. Close the rear compartment lid.

4. Remove all the previously installed protective covers and tape from the vehicle.

PARTS LIST 1982-3 CADILLAC 'K' BODY SIMULATED CONVERTIBLE TOP

Item Quantity 1982 GM 1983 GM No. Description Per Veh. Part No. Part No. --- ----------- -------- --------- --------- 1 BONNET ASM-RFWHITE 1 20496635 20496635 2 BONNET ASM-RFBLACK 1 20496636 20496636 3 BONNET ASM-RF D BLU 1 20496637 - 4 BONNET ASM-RF DK ROYAL BLUE 1 - 20497301 5 BONNET ASM-RF DK BRIAR BROWN 1 - 20497302 6 BOW-F/STRIP WHITE 1 20496613 20496613 7 BOW-F/STRIP BLACK 1 20496614 20496614 8 BOW-F/STRIP DK BLUE 1 20496615 - 9 BOW-F/STRIP DK ROYAL BLUE 1 - 20496941 10 BOW-F/STRIP DK BRIAR BROWN 1 - 20496942 11 RETAINER F/Strip 1 20496617 20496617 12 EXT ASM-B/L LWR WHITE 1 20496643 20496643 13 EXT ASM-B/L LWR BLACK 1 20496644 20496644 14 EXT ASM-B/L LWR DK BLUE 1 20496645 - 15 EXT ASM-B/L LWR DK ROYAL BLUE 1 20497303 16 EXT ASM-B/L LWR DR BRIAR BROWN 1 - 20497304 17 WELT ASM-W/S HDR W*IITE 1 20496609 20496609 18 WELT ASM-W/S HDR BLACK 1 20496610 20496610 19 WELT ASM-W/S HDR DK BLUE 1 20496611 - 20 WELT ASM-W/S HDR DR ROYAL BLUE 1 20496939 21 WELT ASM-W/S HDR DK BRIAR BROWN 1 - 20496940 22 CAP F/STRIP 2 20497278 20497278 23 MLDG-BACK BELT 1 20497297 20497297 24 RETAINER-MLDG BACK BELT 7 9838109 9838109 25 CAP B/BELT MLDG 2 20496620 20496620 26 NUT-BELT MLDGS 8 1099943 1099943 27 MLDG-Q/PNL BELT RH 1 20497295 20497295 28 MLDG-Q/PNL BELT LH 1 20497296 20497296 29 RET-MLDG Q/PNL 8 1099948 1099948 30 RET-BONNET FRT 1 20496625 20496625

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.