I'm helping a buddy put a top on his 69 Chevelle. The top only has pads and rear curtain right now. He installed homemade lines and filled the system with ATF. All lines are the same length from side to side. As he was bleeding it, the right side came up first and buckled the frame. He has straightened the frame. Still the left side goes up first and will bind if you go too far. If you put a little hand pressure on the right side of the frame the top will go up fine once the left side is up about 6". I do see a little air in the right line from the bottom of the cylinder with the top all the way down. I can see it get pumped into the cylinder as the top starts to go up. Any idea what the problem is?

Process of elimination.....your description doesn't say if the top was working correctly just prior to your project or if the top has been "idle" or non-operational for a period of time?

Without the top fabric installed it will operate like that. Also could be air in the system still. Did you put in new cables with the springs on them? Good luck.

The car has been apart for 15 years. He never owned it with a working top. The top and pads were removed then. The pads being gone are bad news, as that is what holds the position of the bows. We had to guess at those. We have replaced the cables, but all those do is keep the edges from flapping in the wind.

It is going fair. There several wrinkles on the sail panels we are still working on. We will probably have the rear tack strip out 5-10 times before we get it right. The right cylinder has started leaking, so the car will be getting new cylinders also. I also thought the weight of the top would help it go up straight. As long it looks ok and keeps the rain, out he will be happy. Labor for a top around here is $500-$600 so, he is happy to save the money for other things.

It looks like there is only one adjustment for the top at the piviot. What does this do? Could this help fix the problem?

Based on your add'l comments ........I'd get those new cylinders installed and see if that doesn't solve your problem. What you describe sounds like a "tired" cylinder on one side.......replace both of them.