Got my roof on... woohooo. ( well amost anyway )

[bush_pig]

Got my 04 roof installed this morning onto my 90 NA LE. Went on nice and easy.. thanks heaps for all the advice guys.

Now, one small problem... I am getting a couple of leaks from the rain rail. They actually coming in under the rain rail ie; between the rain rail and the back tray. I had to use the rain rail on the roof that I already had as the one that came with it was buggered. The only thing that I did not do is tape up the holes that the rivets were in ( I drilled them out ). Do you think that this could be causing the leaks ?

The rain rail is securely fixed under the moulding as the instructions say so I dont think that is a problem.

ANy ideas appreciated.

[green_comet]

pics pics..

[bush_pig]

Will try and get some pics posted.

The only deviation I had from the install insturctions was regarding tortioning of the set plate nuts. I have not got a torque wrench.. so I just tightened them all, in the required sequence, and just \" nipped \" them up tight. Would this maybe contributing to my problem... how important is the right amount of torque on those nuts.

[Juffa]

The only thing that I did not do is tape up the holes that the rivets were in ( I drilled them out ). Do you think that this could be causing the leaks ?

The rain rail is securely fixed under the moulding as the instructions say so I dont think that is a problem.

ANy ideas appreciated.

Yes, all holes need to be sealed. I did the same as you and drilled out the rivets and then used the tape to cover the holes...on both sides, that is the side facing the back of the car and side facing into the cabin.

As long has your tightened the set plates in the right sequence you should be ok.

it is important the that the back edge of the softop be inside the rainrail. So you place the back edge of the rainrail over the set plate studs, and then place the back edge of the soft top over the studs and then finally the place the front edge of the rain rail over the studs, attach the set plates and then tighten in the right sequence.

J

[green_comet]

So you place the back edge of the rainrail over the set plate studs, and then place the back edge of the soft top over the studs and then finally the place the front edge of the rain rail over the studs, attach the set plates and then tighten in the right sequence.

*green_comet falls on the floor, and has a fit*

[bush_pig]

My day so far...

1. Installed new soft top - small leaks
2. Removed rain rail and made some repairs to a few cracks and filled the rivet holes \3. Reinstalled - still has small leaks

I have come to the conclusion that my rain rail is beyond repair.......

The robbing bastards at Mazda want $325 for a new rain rail ... bloody highway robbery. I was looking around and stumbled on these bad boys.. constructed of 100% polyurethane
http://www.duettomotors.com/miata/rain_rail.htm

Has anyone seen these before.. if so are they any good.

At $150 US plus postage it will still be far cheaper than the plastic one offered by the Pirates at Mazda and I would think that it would be a far better product.

[green_comet]

Those are meant to be one of the best rain rails around. I think that the postage will be a killer though, as it is quite a large item to ship from usa.

If you order from usa, make sure you ship USPS International. They are the cheapest post company to go with.

You could also try these rain rails.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RAIN-RAIL-Gutter-Mazda-Miata-Convertible-top-1990-04_W0QQitemZ110167478757QQihZ001QQcategoryZ33652QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MIATA-Rain-Rail-90-91-92-93-94-95-96-97-NEW_W0QQitemZ260157389118QQihZ016QQcategoryZ33652QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Cheers
Ryan

[green_comet]

I emailed the first eBay link I gave you (kwiktops_com), for a shipping price to Melbourne. Im changing my roof in the coming months, so I though I would get a price. I was quoted $160US for the shipping, $20 more than the rain rail itself.


By todays rate thats 300.00 USD = 363.240 AUD ..

Not cheap, for a bit of polyurethane..

[PancakeTransmission]

I emailed the first eBay link I gave you (kwiktops_com), for a shipping price to Melbourne. Im changing my roof in the coming months, so I though I would get a price. I was quoted $160US for the shipping, $20 more than the rain rail itself.


By todays rate thats 300.00 USD = 363.240 AUD ..

Not cheap, for a bit of polyurethane..

Why the mazda one is cheaper

[falconsforge]

Just replaced my top today with a glass one (came with rail attached). The rain rail on my original top looks to be in good condition. falconsforge@hotmail.com if your interested
Alan