Newbie question about soft top

[tomatcbl]

Just getting used to my 'new to me' M100. With the soft top up, there is a gap of about 2-3 cm between the back of the soft top and the roof stowage lid all the way around. Is this normal - I suspect not? Is there any adjustment? Any suggestions? Thanks

[theelanman]

no...not normal.....
it sound like your frame isnt locking in position.....
with the roof up...just check the diagonal stays which run from just behind/above your head which go down to the base of the rear of the hood are locking square rather than not locking and being 'kinked'

cheers
G

[tomatcbl]

The diagonal stays are kinked. If I push them straight, they do push the back of the soft top flush with the roof stowage lid, but in so doing, they introduce a kink in the roof sides where the windows would meet the roof - and the diagonal stays will not stay straight - will take photos in morning. Thanks for suggestions.

[lotusgirlmarie]

The trailing links should be bolted to the drop arms and have a second "cam" bolt to adjust tension. I have found that some owners remove the fixing bolts as to not allow the tops rear seal to rub on the stowage lid.

[tomatcbl]

I have looked at the rear diagonal bars. One of the bolt housings is certainly eccentric and might act as a cam, but it is not touching anything that it could adjust. I have attached photos to help. On the first image - rear diagonal bars, you can see the gap at the bottom of the soft top. It is hard when you don't have another vehicle to which to compare. Thanks for advice

[lotusgirlmarie]

There is a rather odd shaped bar above the window opening that locates the diagonal bar. It's most likely bent out of shape and therefore not pulling the diagonal taught enough. This is where you will need to look and finesse the bar into shape.

[tomatcbl]

Thanks - does someone have a photo of the bar so that I know what I am looking to achieve?

[Specky]

Yes, but Photobucket is down at the moment..

I'm waiting for it to come back up

TTFN

[Specky]

Here's one to start with....

roof.jpg

Roof two.jpg

Does that help fella...

TTFN

[tomatcbl]

magic - thanks for photos - will report back once I have a solution. Cheers

[texaselite]

I am having the exact same issue as tomatcbl, the frame is not locking into position. How can I finesse the odd looking bar that runs across the top of the side window into shape to pull this tighter?

[Nickydee]

I am having the exact same issue as tomatcbl, the frame is not locking into position. How can I finesse the odd looking bar that runs across the top of the side window into shape to pull this tighter?

I tried "adjusting" or more accurately bending the "odd looking bar" without initially much success, I think this was because my bars were badly out of shape.

I then removed the bars from another car - a five minute job - and used them as a template. When I refitted mine one side was perfect and the other just need a slight adjustment but it was easy to work out was required.

First attempt a couple of hours with no success, second successful attempt with a template half an hour max.

[dapinky]

Have a quick read through this short thread for a couple of pics and hints

[RayD]

I made an observation today that might be useful at some point ...

If you hold the hood stowage lid fully open and put the roof back into the up position it doesn't reach it's normal landing position on the top of the screen ... mine's a quarter of an inch short, too far away for the clips to come into action.

It may be it is supposed to be precisely like this to ensure sufficient pressure on the stowage cover under normal conditions.

The roof also needs to be parallel to the screen in this position to make sure of even pressure across the back cover.

Ray

[Rusty Wishbone]

My hood seals nicely against most of the hood cover panel, but I do have a gap between the hood and the concave curved leading edge of the hood cover panel. I can stick my fingers through it. Is there a way of closing this gap?

[Rice crispy]

Mines always been the same rusty

[Rusty Wishbone]

Thanks. It is as if the designers gave up trying to keep the water out when they got to this point.

[madbilly]

I also wondered about this gap, but I don't think water comes in that way anyway, certainly not when stationary. You could test it by going for a drive in the rain and putting a piece of kitchen roll or tissue there and the see if it's wet when you stop.