Leaking car - replacing a rainrail

[cerigby]

I own a 1990 eunos roaster/mx5 and it currently leaks. When I purchased it had a new soft top installed but the rain rail was not replaced. It leaks only around the inside along the back of the parcel rack and around to the sides. I assume it's the rain rail as we've tested where it leaks and it drains water out the sides perfectly. I assume the rain rail is is old as the car, 20 years and has probably corroded away. So can anyone tell me roughly how much I'm up for to just replace a rain rail and where I can obtain one and get it fitted, or is this a job I can get my motorhead partner to do? Any help appreciated, as I'm looking to sell her soon and I need to fix this up first. Thanks.

[Hammer]

I'm assuming when you refer to "drains out the side perfectly", you're refering to the drain holes along the seat belt tower mounts? If not, those could be clogged.

[cerigby]

Yes they drain perfectly. I'm not what you'd call an MX5 enthusiast - I simply own one, it's as simple as that, and I'm not what car guru either. I believe it's the rain rail, but how much am I looking at for one and can my motorhead partner install it or should I be getting one professionally installed. If so can anyone suggest anywhere in Brisbane specifically?

[Juffa]

The rain rail could be leaking for a number of reasons.

1. It wasn't installed correctly when the new roof was installed. When installed by the factory the rain rail is riveted to the soft top. It maybe that that this was not done with the new roof. It does not need to be riveted, however the rivet holes in the rain rail need to be patched to ensure it doesn't leak. Also, the rail has to be installed in the correct way, in that the back edge of the rain rail is installed first, followed by the bottom edge of the soft top, then the front edge of the rain rail and finally the set plates. The set plates a three metal plates that hold the rain rail and soft top in place. If this is not done in the correct sequence leaking will occur.

2. The rain rail will become brittle over time. This makes it hard to reinstall the rain rail. I have successfully used heavy duty cloth/vinyl tape to repair a cracked rain rail.

The is a number of articles on the miata.net website and the miata.net forum. I suggest you/ your partner have a read and see if you want to take the work on, or take it to a auto trimmer.

http://www.miata.net/garage/garagetops.html

http://forum.miata.net/vb/search.php?searchid=4254608

J.

[cerigby]

Very helpful thank you Juffa. I think I'd just get it done professionally as we really don't have the time and neither of us have ever dealt with soft tops. So an auto trimmer would be someone who could assess the rain rail and tell us what's wrong with it and what we need to do about it?

[wun911]

you can buy a rain rail and give it to your auto trimmer there is an unbreakable one on line somewhere its really good and even comes with the pop rivits needed to attach it...

[Guran]

Genuine rain rails are available from MX-5 Mania in Sydney for $340. You could probably get one from MX-5 Plus in Brisbane, or via your Mazda dealer (for a bit more I'd expect).

The unbreakable rain rail that Wun mentioned is available from Duetto Motors for US$170 plus shipping. They also sell the original ones for US$156 and replacement tensioning cables for US$40.

Just thought I'd post this here after I found some info during my search for a replacement set of tensioning cables.

[tjcool]

this is what pisses me off about working on cars

i bought a brand new top one of those UK ones online for $400
FOR A WHOLE NEW ROOF

now they want to charge $340 just for the rain rail????????

so annoying


anyone know of any others available
surely some clever aussie does reproductions cheap some where?

[wun911]

There are some tops that have the rain rail attached if not you may just have to patch up your old one and re use it...

[de Bounce]

now they want to charge $340 just for the rain rail????????
anyone know of any others available ?

I beleive Guran answered your question

The unbreakable rain rail that Wun mentioned is available from Duetto Motors for US$170 plus shipping. They also sell the original ones for US$156 and replacement tensioning cables for US$40.

[Guran]

You've also got to remember that the UK aftermarket soft-tops are not genuine items, and they are very cheap compared with the genuine Mazda items. I think the latter retail for $1000-$1500 depending on supplier.

Old rain rails can usually be repaired with nothing more than some strong sticky tape. If you're on a tight budget, don't bother replacing it unless it's really falling to pieces.