Understanding Roll Bars in Convertibles

Question:

Technician A says that some pop-up roll bars may be reset if not damaged, Technician B says that some convertibles have stationary roll bars. Who is right?

Answer:

Both Technician A and Technician B are correct, but they are referring to different types of roll bars in convertibles.

Types of Roll Bars in Convertibles

Technician A is referring to pop-up roll bars, which are designed to deploy automatically in the event of a rollover or other severe accident. These roll bars are typically hidden behind the rear seats and are intended to provide additional protection to occupants in case of a rollover. If a pop-up roll bar is triggered, it may need to be reset or replaced depending on the extent of the damage.

Technician B is referring to stationary roll bars, which are fixed and do not deploy. These roll bars are typically visible behind the rear seats even when the convertible top is up. They provide structural rigidity to the vehicle's body and help protect occupants in the event of a rollover. Since stationary roll bars are not designed to deploy, there is no need to reset them.

Both types of roll bars exist in convertibles: pop-up roll bars that may need to be reset if not damaged and stationary roll bars that remain in a fixed position.