upgrading the hood straps assembly

[Pascal]

Hello,
Although other topics exist about this, i propose to open a new one to show with pictures the complete arrangement i made.

I removed the arches, removed the old straps and their rivets, cleaned the rust, and painted with an antirust red paint (brushed, not sprayed).

This solution is completely ‘bolts and nuts’, this means that I can now remove and replace again the straps (after 20 more years ???) but also , if the straps become a bit loose every year, I can set up with a bit more tension every year … and this can be done now in a couple of minutes without removing the arches, thanks to the particular clamp at rear end (where access is difficult).
You see that this clamp is wider than the straps, this means no holes to do in the straps.

About the small steel rectangles fixing the straps upon the arches : I had the chance to have the M3 bolts TIG welded, so it is even too easy to fit now (although holes must be done in the strap, I couldn’t change this design). The first assembly I did , they were not welded and it worked also, but it was just not so convenient.
The front end is fixed with same rectangles in the aluminium front arch.

Also on this rectangles, I carefully grinded any edge as the part is in contact with the hood cloth : I did not put any protective layer between the arches and the cloth (originally they placed protective ‘scrachtape there).

Note that all bolts are cut at the accurate proper length (with Dremmel disk) and all nuts are Nylstop.

I used two layers of strap, one is 5 cm (2 ‘’) and one is 7 cm ( 2.75 ‘’) . I did so to hide the narrow one with the wide one, no other reason.
Straps were purchased on E.ay UK (lucky peoples, everything can be found on E.ay UK !!! ).

(Also visible : cloth reinforcement and guiding belt, they are not related to this strap project).

Hope this is useful to someone.
Pascal

[Fredjohn]

Brilliant Pascal!

I need to do a similar repair as my elastic has well gone. A very simple neat and effective repair, which is "future proofed" by being adjustable.


Top marks mon ami!! Put it on WikiLEC.

Let you know how I get on when I get round to it.

Bon courage

John

[Pascal]

following a question ...
this may help someone who wants to practise his french ! (or use Google trad).

Pascal

l'arche arrière (la plus large) est collée à la toile de la capote, rendant l'accès difficile à l'attache de la bande. Comment avez vous retiré la bande de sa fixation arrière ?
JE CROIS QUE C' ETAIT AUSSI COLLE.
J' AI SIMPLEMENT TIRE DESSUS AVEC PRUDENCE POUR DECOLLER.
JE N'AI PAS RECOLLE.

Comment accèder à la fixation antérieure de chaque bande (sous le bandeau en plastique), et comment y sont-elles fixées?
BANDEAU PLASTIQUE ? VOUS PARLEZ SUREMENT DE LA BANDE DE SCRATCH "VELCRO".
C EST SIMPLEMENT COLLE AVEC DE L' ADHESIF DOUBLE FACE.
IL FAUT SIMPLEMENT TIRER DOUCEMENT DESSUS PUIS NETTOYER LA VIEILLE COLLE.
JE L' AI ENLEVEE ET JE N' EN AI PAS REMIS.

Vous avez installé deux bandes superposées de largeurs différentes. Pour quelle raison?
LA BANDE VISIBLE EST PLUS LARGE ET DONC, ELLE CACHE LA BANDE DU DESSOUS.
C EST SIMPLEMENT PLUS JOLI.

Enfin une dernière (?) question: quel type(s) de bande et référence(s) avez-vous utilisées ?
J' AI ACHETE SUR E BAY UK QUELQUE CHOSE COMME CA :
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-INCH-BLACK- ... 3f0c8a77a1
OU TAPE DES MOTS COMME :
" BLACK ELASTIC STRETCH BELT NURSE SEWING "

ATTENTION : L' ACIER DES ARCHES EN TUBE EST DUR, ET PEUT CASSER LES FORETS - MECHES.

C' EST UN PEU DIFFICILE D' ENLEVER LES RIVETS DE L' ARCHE ARRIERE CAR JE NE LA DEMONTE PAS.
C' EST BIEN D'AVOIR QUELQU'UN POUR AIDER A TENIR LA TOILE ELOIGNEE PENDANT CE TRAVAIL.

ATTENTION : LE FILETAGE DES AXES QUI TIENNENT LES ARCHES SUR LE CHASSIS SONT FRAGILES.
ATTENTION : NE PAS FAIRE TOMBER CES PETITS AXES !!!!!!!! et !!!!!!!

PROFITER DU DEMONTAGE POUR BIEN ENLEVER LA ROUILLE DES ARCHES.
METTRE UNE BONNE PEINTURE ANTIROUILLE AU PINCEAU ET BIEN LAISSER SECHER.

[RayD]

Well Done Pascal,

Here are a couple of links to the way I did mine, albeit requiring a sewing machine.

Here and Here

Ray

[WienLot]

Thanks Pascal for this thread.
Can anyone tell what are the function(s) of the straps ?

Meanwhile, being inspired by Pascal's photos, I did the following:
-1- Cut and got definitely rid of all original straps (both side): they were of absolutely no more use (old and lousy)...

Strap before .JPG

-2- installed one only (may be not so) temporary adjustable strap (driver side).

Strap now.JPG

Strap positionning how to .JPG

WienLot

[RayD]

Can anyone tell what are the function(s) of the straps ?

With the two original type elastic straps fitted and tensioned properly the the two arches will generally stay in the same place relative to the roof, whether it is up or down or somewhere in between.

As the straps start failing or losing tension you'll find a need to lift the rear arch up manually as you close the roof.

The separate strap between the two arches shown in Pascal's post would have been fitted later ... while he rightly points there is no need for it now, there was no need for it before.

For anyone with access to a sewing machine the instructions here are worth following.

You need to keep in mind the safety issues associated with having nuts and bolts directly above your head.

Ray

[WienLot]

Very clear Ray. Thanks!

[Pascal]

I fully agree with this comment :
"You need to keep in mind the safety issues associated with having nuts and bolts directly above your head."

and i had some hesitation to fix that way.

Then I thought, if I appear to overturn with this car, i fear the hood will not last long enough to protect my head anyway ...

At least, I carefully cut the screws so that they don't get out of the nut , not at all,
they were adjusted one by one.

A 40mm x 15 mm slice of plastic or rubber ( 4 mm thick with two housings) could be glued on the nuts.

Pascal - France