Solara Convertible Top Difficult to Close

by **kevdog** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 1:41 pm

I have a 2007 Camry Solara Convertible and it is difficult to close the convertible top. If I just close the two black handles there will be a gap allowing rain to get in and one of the handles would be very hard to close. I took it to a dealership and they said you have to pull down on the center handle area (pretty hard to do) to seal the gap then lock down the two handles. I usually have to wiggle it a little with the center handle before it seals properly. Its difficult enough to do that I cannot see an elderly person being able to do this easily.

Is this normal, or do I have an issue and the dealership is avoiding it?

by **philosophicaljt** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 1:47 pm

no idea.

But welcome to SG

I'm sure someone will post soon with knowledge.

by **sevenjo8** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:09 pm

I've had my 2007 for about six weeks. Mine is extremely easy to close...it takes about 20 seconds. Make sure the "hooks" below the "latches" are pulled back toward the rooftop when you open it so they will be in the right position to close it. When you close it, try pulling down on the driver's side roof and latch the driver's side first.

Hope you understood what I mean, and I hope it helps!

by **kevdog** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:14 pm

Thanks, I do understand what you mean. If I just pull down the driver's side first the passenger side is extremely difficult and it leaves a gap where rain will get in. That is why the dealership told me I have to pull pretty hard on the center grip down until it seals right before doing either side lever. This just seems abnormally hard for alot of people.

by **Gangis** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:24 pm

The top may be misaligned... go to the dealership and have it adjusted under warranty. Worked for some people I know. It definitely should just glide in without much effort.

by **sevenjo8** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:26 pm

I guess I wasn't too much help. I don't think it should be that difficult though. Did you have the dealership demonstrate it for you? If it's difficult for them as well, then I'd say you have an issue.

by **kevdog** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:26 pm

When I went there they said the pins on the top two corners were out of line. They adjusted them but its still pretty hard. I just want to confirm with other owners that their tops are easy to close before I push the issue.

by **ClassySolaraGuy** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 8:08 pm

If you do have to push the issue, Take your Lara to the dealership & have someone demonstrate how it should be done. I would also check other Lara convertibles on the lot to see if their the same.

by **MCOjerry** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 8:17 pm

I agree with the others...sounds misaligned, and it might be the top, not the pins. It could also be bad weatherstripping.

I think Classysolaraguy, take it to the dealership, make them show you how they think it should be done. Then tell the to spray water on top of the car to see if it leaks. Also tell them you want key to at least 3 of the other convertibles on the lot to test the tops out. Do not put up with them blowing you off.

by **NeFaRiOuS_SLE** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:52 pm

Yeah, definitely sounds like they're weaseling you; although I don't own a convertible, I've been in plenty to know what's going on... I've test-driven Gen2, Gen2.5, Chrysler Sebring, E46 M3 (but then again that has an auto latch), my friends have 94 Camaros, Mustangs... The list goes on...

...But out of all those convertibles, NONE of them required the amount of strength that you have described; even a 9 year-old can pull the last 2" with relative ease... Sounds like the dealership is trying to rip you off. But like Jerry said, you should try a few on the lot and give them a sh!t-fit until they actually get off their lazy ass and fix it.

by **Sparky5e** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:15 pm

I have an 07 and the passenger side pin didn't hit the hole when I test drove it. They told me it needed to be aligned and did it while doing the paperwork. It has worked flawlesly since I got it and don't need to even touch the center pull down. No leakage of water or air exen taking it through a high pressure car wash (oops only did it once)

I agree about making them close it and then comparing it to ones on the lot. That should stop the run around and get it fixed correctly. For what these cost there is no reason for poor service.

by **kevdog** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:18 am

Sparky5e wrote:I have an 07 and the passenger side pin didn't hit the hole when I test drove it. They told me it needed to be aligned and did it while doing the paperwork. It has worked flawlesly since I got it and don't need to even touch the center pull down. No leakage of water or air exen taking it through a high pressure car wash (oops only did it once)

I agree about making them close it and then comparing it to ones on the lot. That should stop the run around and get it fixed correctly. For what these cost there is no reason for poor service.

This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for, thanks. Thanks also to everyone else that replied, I'm clearly getting the runaround.

by **Down2TheC** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 9:47 am

What they said... It should be easy. On my '04 I grab both handles at the same time, tug down, push forward, and it's locked. No excessive force needed to get a seal. Never had a leak.

by **MCOjerry** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 4:24 pm

Let us know what eventually happens.

by **kevdog** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 9:01 pm

MCOjerry wrote:Let us know what eventually happens.

Will do. I called Toyota Customer Service and told them, they called the dealer and said they will contact me. Tops should not be this hard to close and if they give me a hard time I will raise hell.

Solara Convertible Top Difficult to Close

Solara Convertible Top Difficult to Close

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