Roof rubbing on stowage panel – S2

[Megncalvin]

Hi all,
I’ve noticed that when the roof is down on my S2, it seems to knock or rub against the underside of the roof stowage panel. From what I can tell, there used to be retaining straps riveted in place to hold the roof securely, but mine have been cut off at some point.
There are a couple of spots where the paint has worn away on the underside of the panel—presumably from the roof shifting slightly while driving. I’ve searched around but haven’t found anything definitive about whether there should be any kind of protective padding or lining under the panel.
I’m thinking of measuring the underside and adding some foam or felt as a buffer, but before I go DIY, I wanted to ask: has anyone else dealt with this? Any clever fixes or ready-made solutions out there?
As a temporary measure, I’ve been placing a couple of microfibre cloths on the highest points of the folded roof to cushion it, but obviously that’s not ideal long-term.
Appreciate any thoughts or suggestions!
Thanks
Chris

[Jamie N]

Thin 4 or 5mm Neoprene strip would sort it out Chris, easily cut to shape and stuck on.

[dapinky]

The roof stowage strap system was only used on a few cars before Lotus decided it wasn't worthwhile - so your car probably never had them anyway.

My top tip is to use a piece of velcro strap to loop round the roof when folded to help keep it compressed a bit, and then lay a towel across the top before closing the lid.......

.... this has the dual advantage of always having a towel to put over your knee when it's raining and the hood is up to catch the drips from the leaking seals (but that is why Jamie suggests a neoprene sheet, as his car doesn't leak!!!!).

[Megncalvin]

Thanks guys

Mine does have the remains of the rivetted in webbing.

I think I'll go for a combination of both tips - neoprene on the underside of the panel and I might sacrifice a belt from some trousers to hold the roof together and a pop a towel to sit on top.

[chrism]

This is the best I've been able to come up with Megancalvin :-



At the bottom of the pic behind the wood you'll see I've also rolled up some (looks blu-ish) bubble wrap to keep the clear plastic window 'rounded' as it folds down. It's held in place while the hood's lowered, hoping to prevent squeeze cracks...

I've heard about- but never seen - a roof strap; now I know why...

[Megncalvin]

This is the best I've been able to come up with Megancalvin :-



At the bottom of the pic behind the wood you'll see I've also rolled up some (looks blu-ish) bubble wrap to keep the clear plastic window 'rounded' as it folds down. It's held in place while the hood's lowered, hoping to prevent squeeze cracks...

I've heard about- but never seen - a roof strap; now I know why...

That's a good idea too. I have glass windows on my MK2 MX5 and MK3 MR2 so they are not an issue, but plastic on my imported MK1 MX5. For that, I have a Eunos window protector pad, and was going to try something similar for the Lotus.

[chrism]

Another mod?:-

Faced with the prospect of a chilly Boxing Day run tomorrow - with my hood never raised to save marking the painted cover (plus the prospect of a not-so-pretty limbo dance inside a narrow single garage) - I came across a piece of soft pipe insulation which just clips into the lower hood soft flange and saves that hard bit of the hood frame rubbing against the paintwork...as it normally does.

I reckon I can now bask in hood-up motoring on a fffrreeeezzzing Dec 26th Boxing Day run-out w/out any guilty paintwork rub and as a bonus it doesn't notice...wotcha rekon?

By the way, Happy Christmas to my LEC pals
ps I seem to remember that it was a 1m length for £1 from Screwfix

edit: nah, a bit of a failure...roof being a little high at each side where the pipe ins didn't fully reach caused all manner of extra wind rush noise and 'looseness'...

[Tuga2112]

seeing those pictures makes me wonder if anyone has tried a pool noodle ?

[FunElan]

This may be related, but in the service manual is a page about a recall like amendment lotus made. They added little rubber pads to the outer corners of the stowage pad (underside) and that raised the outer edges of the panel up while it's locked (roof up OR down). Maybe those would help?