1 person hardtop replace & remove?

OMY005 · Postby **OMY005** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 3:06 pm

Does anybody have a good technique for taking there hardtop off and putting it back on again on there own? I can get mine off just OK but still awkward to do by griping the middle of the front and rear edges. Then lifting up and back at the same time.

To do the reverse of this is difficult to do as you tend to overbalance. Any suggestions?

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 3:18 pm

From what I've seen, don't do it. You could badly damage yourself and the car. Get a little pulley thing to lift/lower it from the ceiling or phone a friend.

Garry · Postby **Garry** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 3:22 pm

I have a "little pulley thing". I'm no strong enough to do it myself.

Charlie Brown · Postby **Charlie Brown** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 4:30 pm

I had no problems doing it myself but then I do have long arms.
When putting it back on, I gripped slightly further away on the front edge compared to the back.
Stuck one foot one the seat near the gearbox for balance and placed it on the closest Frankenstein bolt to me then the other and pulled out my fingers. Gave it a shove from the rear and latched up the catches.

RobbieRat · Postby **RobbieRat** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 5:56 pm

I don't have any problems doing it by myself either(removing and refitting the roof that is.lol)

Gets a bit awkard if you forget the demister cable though on removal :oops:

Then it goes here see below..tooo easy

Craig · Postby **Craig** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 5:59 pm

Is that the new WB-5? :lol:

Wuey · Postby **Wuey** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 9:42 pm

I have a homemade pulley system. It's not that heavy but due to its awkward bulk, you have to use some of the back muscles which you normally don't use. You run the risk of getting permanent back injury. Don't do it! I suffer from some back injury incurred when I was young and careless or stupid.

OMY005 · Postby **OMY005** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 3:52 pm

Wuey wrote:I have a homemade pulley system.

Would you have any pics of this or any hints on how you made it? Thanks, Andrew.

Craig · Postby **Craig** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 3:56 pm

Took mine off this morning by myself, it's not too hard if your tall enough to do it.

Li7hium · Postby **Li7hium** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:25 pm

Stupid tall people, and their stupid height advantages........ :roll:

Craig · Postby **Craig** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:26 pm

Li7hium wrote:Stupid tall people, and their stupid height advantages........

Stupid short people and their ability to see out of an MX-5 windscreen without slouching! :roll:

Li7hium · Postby **Li7hium** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:30 pm

Craig wrote:Stupid short people and their ability to see out of an MX-5 windscreen without slouching!

WOOHOO!!!

I also heard that the 50/50 weight distribution is based around the notion that the average driver is going to weigh 70kgs or thereabouts. Another plus for us vertically challenged (so long as we are not horizontally generous) peoples! :mrgreen:

kula · Postby **kula** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:07 pm

i take mine on and off alone all the time.

i am 6'3" and 90kgs tho.

ive got the technique down pat, it all depends on where u hold it...

one hand in the back middle, the other in the b pillar.

Wuey · Postby **Wuey** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:52 pm

OMY005 wrote:
Wuey wrote:I have a homemade pulley system.

Would you have any pics of this or any hints on how you made it? Thanks, Andrew.

If Car Domain didn't stuff up my pages, the pictorial instructions were there for all to see.

I can email you the instructions if you can send me your email address.

Postby **Okibi** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 1:36 am

I'm about 6'2" with long arms so this might be more difficult for the dwarfs.

I unhook all latches,

From the passenger side, slide the roof backwards so the frankenstein bolts disengage.

Stand close to the car, left hand on the middle of the hard top, right hand on the middle of the rear of the hard top.

Then lift the roof up and off, brace the left side of the hard top against your body as you carry it.