Removing Soft Top (frame & all)

emecksphive · Postby **emecksphive** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 4:08 pm

its not too hard but some of the bolts along the back of the top neare the window can be hard to get out, and get more difficult as you get closer to the seatbelt towers.

Start by taking your seats out i makes it a lot easier.

to get the top off along the back near the boot there are 10mm bolts running from seatbelt tower to seatbelt tower, once these are removed three metal brackets can be removed and then the top can be loosened from the car.

to remove the whole frame you need to remove the trim near the seatbelt towers which runs down to the sill plates. remove this by loosening the metal tab on top and then remove all the screws and pull tab plastic things you can see.

once you have the trim off there are three bolts on each side which hold the frame in place, take these out and you should be able to lift the whole top off the car.

be careful not to scratch the paint as it is quite heavy and a bit awkward

Bevan · Postby **Bevan** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 4:55 pm

Jaron wrote:Thanks for the info, the only problem I have really run into is those Frankenstein bolts that are on the seatbelt towers for the hard top..

Frankenstein bolts are the chrome one at the top of the bootlid. You mean the striker plates? It's just a big allen key I beleive. If you don't have one, a large flat-bladed screw driver will work too.

jules · Postby **jules** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 5:29 pm

No they are called Torx bolts. Go to Bunnings and get a T40 size one.
You can buy them in sets like Allen Keys for $19.

Jules

jules · Postby **jules** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 5:30 pm

PS: If you're desperate, you are welcome to pop down and I'll help with the removal.

I've had to remove mine to fit the style bar.

Jules

kula · Postby **kula** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 6:07 pm

i did mine a while back,

was very easy, just undo the bolts as you go along..

putting it in is much more difficult ive heard so make sure you really want it out.

Garry · Postby **Garry** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 11:23 am

If you are planning on reusing the soft top be careful with the rain rail. Thats the plastic gutter thing attached around the bottom of the soft top. It's very brittle and if it cracks it will leak.

Bevan · Postby **Bevan** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:53 pm

Jaron wrote:Thanks garry I will watch out for the rain rail, though my soft top has beens slashed and I don't think I will be using it again. lol

Even if you change the soft-top, you'll still need to re-use that rain rail that Garry mentioned, so do be carefull with it, it's just plastic.

SuperMazdaKart · Postby **SuperMazdaKart** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:59 pm

http://www.prestigeautotrim.com/instructions/mazda/mx5hoodfit.htm

& of course i'd assume you already know about the how tos at miata garage

Juffa · Postby **Juffa** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 1:28 pm

Bevan wrote: Even if you change the soft-top, you'll still need to re-use that rain rail that Garry mentioned, so do be carefull with it, it's just plastic.

No only is just plastic, a replacement will also cost you just about $200+

J

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 1:47 pm

Jaron wrote:I don't think it is an Allen Key, but I will double check tonight.

as jules indicated it's not, however i use a good condition 4.5mm allen key to tighten mine when necessary, as i no torx bolt tightener & have a hardtop fitted.

PT · Postby PT » Wed Apr 05, 2006 4:30 pm

Hardtop for when it's raining, no top for when it's not hey Jaron?

kula · Postby **kula** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 6:36 pm

heres what mine is like:

you can keep the carpet in and it fits well, but i dont mind the race look.

it definetly felt faster when i took mine out, its a good 25kgs+ i reckon.

kula · Postby **kula** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:21 pm

not too bad actually..
there is a sheet of insulation that sits under the carpet, and it does a bit..
but on the freeway its a bit more noticable, you can hear the rear tyres more, but around town its about the same.

emecksphive · Postby **emecksphive** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:15 am

the rain rail is the u shaped peice of plastic attached to the bottom of the roof, those metal bars hold the rain rail in place underneath them and tension the roof which sits above them

bigdog · Postby **bigdog** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:56 am

kula wrote:heres what mine is like:

you can keep the carpet in and it fits well, but i dont mind the race look.

it definetly felt faster when i took mine out, its a good 25kgs+ i reckon.

Can't believe they designed the parcel shelf that way. Maybe the designers worked for a shed building company on the weekend. :mrgreen:

Nice sheet of polished allloy would look the goods over that Mark...