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I've riveted the rain rail to the top, and bolted down the left and right steel curved frameworks that fix the top to the body. But the central one won't fit. It's around 1cm too long on the right side. Any advice? Previously it was fine (but, then again, the car didn't have a rain rail). Are the steel frameworks supposed to overlap?

Hmm is there anywhere I can order a new set of the steel rain rail frames?

The steel brackets are not meant to overlap. There should be a gap of a few mms between them. There is a specific order that you're meant to tighten up the nuts. Details are on miata.net in one of the FAQs. Holler if you can't find it. And it might be worth posting some photos of the problem if this doesn't fix it.

BTW it's great to see you're having a go at doing this work yourself.

I found the problem. Once I tighten the central (3rd) bolt the space just naturally appears, and everything slots in perfectly. Only problem is I lost 3 bolts Can someone confirm they are M5 bolts?
Everything I've done with my car has been by myself. Changing the sparks, the coolant, and now this. It's frustrating and sometimes laden with vulgarities but it sure is cheaper than some random guy that doesn't love the car as much!

was messing with my rain rail few weeks back its fun been crammed in the car with the top up trying the remove nuts and those stupid carpet clips in the parcel shelf

anyways when u say lost bolts do you mean the bolts on the chassis or the nuts that hold the rain rail clips ? as i dropped one of these and was stuck under the drain hole plastic trim......

It sure is fun. 2 cuts and a bunch of calloused fingers and a very sore back. It's the bolts that fix the steel rain rail against the rain rail. I lost 3 of the 13 down the hole that's just next to the plastic drainage hole. The hole leads to a corner DEEP in the boot and I can't reach them.

yea when i lost one of mine i replaced it with a 1mm nut and washer before i recovered it.

though if top is off car maybe worth trying to retrieve as you dont wanna be stuck with a rattle or something later.

1mm nut? How is that even possible? The nut looks more like an M5 or M6. And it's dropped in a far corner. No idea how to get it. I'll put a picture and everyone can brainstorm

i think he means a 10 mm

its a farkin pain to put on

i angle grinded mine down so it doesnt overlap anymore...

oops, ah yea i meant 10mm

So the 10mm doesn't fit nicely? What's the size on the screw, then? Should be an M6.

It fit on fine just had to put a washer on as the nut wasn't the type with a built in one.

Might be worth getting one of these to reach in and grab it.
Had one for years and worth their weight in beer.

Should be able to get them from most auto stores.

I have one of those 'grabber' things, but not on a flexible rod. However, I don't know where the bolts are exactly. I know the general location, but that's about it.

even a magnetic rod thing might work.


looks like that^

just wave it around the general area and it might grab the nut.