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Hiya Guys,
I am not too sure whether this topic has been posted up before, but, has anyone experienced problems folding the soft top down? Sometimes it feels a little tight to fold, as though the vinyl has contracted or something. I didn't experience this the first time I bought the car. Maybe it's because of some interference between the soft top and beltline molding? (http://www.miata.net/garage/tsb/sb09-018-06-1599.pdf) Any feedback/help/suggestions would be muchly appreciated.

Mike

With mine (NB, glass window) I have to gently push the top of the window down when the roof is halfway down, just to help it sit down properley. Works for me

As the weather gets cooler the vinyl roof is not as pliable and can be a bit tougher to fold down. Just take your time and you should be right.

Try sitting her in the sun for a time and see it it is easier to fold afterward...

J

i ALWAYS gently pull the metal bar down which is above the glass window as im taking the roof down. otherwise i get a torn roof if its forced.

Yeah, I think the problem comes mainly from the inside of the roof generating too much friction with the metal bar that props up the top behind your head. It means the top doesn't \"glide\" smoothly over the bar, and causes the top to not quite fold.

I've found that while I'm dropping the roof, the best thing to do is to try and help tug the roof down by pushing down on the area just above the glass window. This means the friction between the roof and the bar is overcome, and the roof goes down.

Not an idea solution, but it works.

I lubricated my first roof where the roof bows slide with a light coat of silicon spray. Fixed it right up. I didn't have any problems with the second roof.

I've heard that the spring that moves the rear bow on the early NB8A's wasn't quite up to the task. Mazda were replacing them with a heavier duty item under warranty at the time.

Silicon spray on everything that moves or hinges in folding works wonders.