Soft top questions

rogerbid · Postby **rogerbid** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:16 pm

Hi friends,

Maybe these questions should be on seperate posts but as they are all related (and I am keen to get the widest range of responses) I hope it's OK to combine them.

I have read many of the posts concerning the restoration of soft tops, and there are various references to cloth and vinyl materials. I am guessing mine is vinyl but how can I tell the difference and be sure? The car is a 1998 NB8A - were these supplied with tops of both materials?

Is it possible for the rain rail to crack in situ? I have recently found the carpet behind the drivers seat to be quite wet but I am not aware of any leaks in the top itself. Can anyone say how I can verify the integrity of the rain rail, or are there any other likely causes of a wet floor? How can I replace the rain rail should it be deemed necessary?

I might just take the 'simple' solution and replace the top and rain rail but where are the lowest priced (as opposed to 'cheapest') good tops to be had?

Thanks everyone for any comments or advice,

Best wishes,

Roger

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:35 pm

I'd imagine you have a vinyl roof - the cloth type are aftermarket on that series.

Check the soft top drains to make sure they are not clogged. The drain tubes exit just in front of the rear wheels.

It is possible that the rain rail is cracked but more likely to be clogged drains. Check the drains and report back.

sliq · Postby **sliq** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 7:16 pm

check behind the seatbelt towers.. i.e. sit on ur chair facing the rear of your car.. place your hands on the outer edge of the parcel shelf, and trace it towards yourself whilst sticking to the edge of the parcel shelf.

at the end of the parcel shelf, there should be a little compartment of plastic. check the drain holes in there. u may need a flashlight. clear out all the gunk that's in there. i had the same problem when i first got the car. to check if it's been cleared, just pour some water and step outside your car. have a look just infront of the rearwheel, water should be draining out from there.

greyhair · Postby **greyhair** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 9:01 pm

I have an 03 NB and my top looks to be a fabric, assume it is synthetic, can anyone confirm if this is what an NB8C comes with and what is the best item to treat it with.
Currently am just using car wash

GP14 · Postby **GP14** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 9:16 pm

The best way to check where its leaking is this (assuming its not the drains):

With the top up and latched
1. remove the carpet and padding from the parcel shelf
2. Get 2nd person with a bottle of water.
3. You sit inside with a torch and park your car in a well lit area
4. Get assistant to slowly pour water around the edge of the softtop
5. you spot the water leak

Assuming water does come in via the rain rail, note if its coming through just below the nuts that hold the top in place or between the nuts. If its through the nuts, its an easy fix. If not you may need a new rain rail. Not a difficult job but fiddly.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 9:21 pm

greyhair wrote:I have an 03 NB and my top looks to be a fabric, assume it is synthetic, can anyone confirm if this is what an NB8C comes with and what is the best item to treat it with.
Currently am just using car wash

I believe the '03 classic had a fabric/cloth roof standard.

rogerbid · Postby **rogerbid** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 1:14 pm

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the very helpful replies, I am encouraged to hear the leaks are more likely a result of blocked drains rather than damage to the rain rail.

Still not sure where to source a replacemnt soft top but will continue to search past threads for useful info.

Thanks again,

Roger