MX5Plus Twin Hoop Roll Bar installation help needed - urgent

[rpost77]

Just bought an MX5Plus Twin Hoop Roll Bar and attempting to install - have an issue that I would appreciate any advice for.

Car - September 1990 build NA6 (January 1991 Compliance Plate).

Issue - have put roll bar into car attached only by the 2 side bolts at the front (the 2 where you have to rivet the nut behind hole in the upright of the seatbelt tower "box").

I do not have the spacers at the top of the roll bar in place.

The rear pads of the roll bar (each with 4 holes) will not sit flat against the parcel shelf. The rear is raised 1-2cms. I cannot get the pads to sit flat no matter what I try (rotating around the front bolts etc.).

If I take the front bolts out and position the pads so they sit flat, then the 2 side holes at the front are out of alignment with the holes in the side of the car (which is the only hole MX5Plus are adamant about not modifying).

Has anyone struck this issue and found a solution - or have any ideas that may help.

Any and all help is appreciated.

Ralph

[Apu]

Photos might help. The rear pads should sit flat. Are you sure you have the mounting correct on the B-pillars?

[rpost77]

]Some images as requested.



Drivers side bolt.



Drivers side pad



Passenger side bolt



Passenger side pad

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/42/az9c.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/24/9ljp.jpg
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http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/36/iwed.jpg

[Apu]

That doesn't seem too bad. Don't tighten up the bolts on the B pillar fully so you have some play, then fit the rear pads and tighten as you go along.

[Snowmotion]

I fitted the standard height twin diagonal braced bar a couple of months ago and mine was the same.
Just allow for where the holes will need to be as it pulls down and use the bolts to pull it into place.

[rpost77]

I fitted the standard height twin diagonal braced bar a couple of months ago and mine was the same.
Just allow for where the holes will need to be as it pulls down and use the bolts to pull it into place.

So you are saying that the parcel shelf will deform to make it sit "flat" when it's tightened up?

Also - how did you manage to drill the required holes for the pads if they don't sit flat?

Note that hole shown in the photos under the back right hand (driver) and left hand (pass) are existing holes - I need to drill out the other 6.

I am planning to use a 10mm bit for the holes - the bolts are 10mm - will this do or should I widen to 12mm for "play"?

[Snowmotion]

I fitted the standard height twin diagonal braced bar a couple of months ago and mine was the same.
Just allow for where the holes will need to be as it pulls down and use the bolts to pull it into place.

So you are saying that the parcel shelf will deform to make it sit "flat" when it's tightened up?

Also - how did you manage to drill the required holes for the pads if they don't sit flat?

Note that hole shown in the photos under the back right hand (driver) and left hand (pass) are existing holes - I need to drill out the other 6.

I am planning to use a 10mm bit for the holes - the bolts are 10mm - will this do or should I widen to 12mm for "play"?

The parcel shelf does not so much deform, it just kind of all pulls together. But I remember that it was a little difficult to get all 4 bolts aligned and threaded into the plate due to angle.

To drill, I used a 10mm bit with a 90 degree air drill. I just made sure the drill was at the right angel so the holes (really there is only one to worry about on each side on the back) were in the right place as the plate pulls down. The front 2 will be ok as the plate is flat there.

[Old Dude]

+ 1
mine was the same it will all work out OK

[rpost77]

OK - many thanks for all the responses and advice.

I have managed to drill the holes (hired a Makita right angle drill for the day - no way I could have done the rear holes with any other drill).

I marked and centre punched the holes as best I could with the roll bar in the car.

I then drilled a pilot hole with a 4.5mm bit followed by a 12mm (reduced shank - to fit in 10mm chuck) bit. The 12mm got a little "grabby" towards the end but managed OK (a little unclean initially but running it through a couple times cleared them).

I test positioned the under shelf plates and they "look" ok - won't really know until I get the bar back in and try to connect it all.

Too shagged (and too late) now to go any further so will continue tomorrow night after work.

Will post update with any progress.

Love this forum and the help and knowledge within - many thanks.

[A.Chen89]

You can put some more spacers or washers between the parcel shelf