Can't get hardtop to seal right

[PT]

Hi Guys,
I have recently bought a hardtop, had it painted up etc but I can't get it to seal very well at the bottom of the window, where the hardtop should seal into the B-Pillar for want of a better term.

Picture attached:


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Essentially it's like I need to pull the hardtop forward toward the windscreen another 5mm. I have the front clamps adjusted as much as possible. And they do up with no tension at all, I have undone the bolts on the brackets on the windscreen and adjusted them as much as possible. I have adjusted the frankenstein bolt brackets as well to ensure they aren't holding it back.

I have replaced the seals around the window as well, you can see light through the gap right at the bottom also. I should point out its more wind noise leaking through than any water.

I'm at a loss... my next move is to take the brackets off the windscreen and die grind them out to get them to move forward on the car.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Paul

[Lokiel]

Sounds like you don't have the hardtop side latches. They don't come standard on the car and you'll need to install them yourself:



For an installation guide see http://www.mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtop ... 76&t=37140

Note: It's better to drill a small "feeler-hole" to see just where the bolts need to go into, then cut into your trim so that you don't remove too much. If you pull out the trim and look on the other side you can actually see where you should cut out the trim - it's outlined. On my SE though, it was covered with sound dampening "stuff" and I couldn't see it.

[PT]

Thanks for the reply lokiel - I do have them and I have adjusted these up as well. Trying to move it forward and pull it down as much as possible.

[Lokiel]

PT, you didn't mention anything about the side latches which is why I assumed that you didn't have them.

It really sounds like you need to adjust these more to secure the hard top. I adjusted mine so that they are quite hard to lock in place (ie. need more force to lock than those on the windshield). Are you possibly being too cautious with how tight they are?

[PT]

The side latches are tight, any tighter and you can't do them up, whereas the fronts are on there tightest setting but require no force to pull tight.

I've checked out the miata.net garage but didn't find anything to help really. As I say, only think I can think off is to elongate the holes.

[Tezzax5]

PT...
Have a look at the pins in your latches
Either the pins will be worn or the hooks will have elongated..
maybe a combination of both?

fixes include...new latches and pins or packing the hook or increasing the diameter of the pin in the latch.
I'm betting that you have a later model hardtop

For a dodgy temporary fix fold up some cardboard and sit it inside the hooks where the pins locate then do the latch up...(puts a little more tension on the latch)
The NA latches and hooks were much better quality...
I'm not 100% sure but i think you change the lot over for the earlier system.

t

[PT]

Thanks for the help tezza... The pins and hooks all look reasonably ok, perhaps the hooks look a little worn. So I tried packing the hook out with some cardboard with a small degree of success (I slacked off the bush around the frankenstien bolts first). What I did notice is that I have two different types of hooks. The original set on the windscreen and the side ones that were given to me where I bought the hardtop.

I bought the hardtop from an import place, so there is no guarentee they were off the same car as the hardtop.

The hardtop is a very early NA top, with no demister or lining. And the car is an early NB8B.

Pic of my original top hooks. You can see part of the hardtop latches here.


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And a Pic of the side latches given to be when I bought the top.


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Is this a possible clue??

[Tezzax5]

I'm pretty sure that Gary did a post showing how to pull the latch apart and increase the tension on the latch...
About 2 years ago...
Can you swap side latches with the front ones?

You could also try flipping the plastic sliders( they are reversible ) that go onto the frankenstein bolts.
It will change the angle of the hardtop where the leading edge sits on the windscreen.

My hardtop is buried in the back of the workshop so is a little bit hard to get to for photo comparisons..

t

[rob323]

I'm pretty sure that Gary did a post showing how to pull the latch apart and increase the tension on the latch...

Either and 8mm or 10mm spanner and you can adjust the pins to provide more tension if required. Have a close look, there is a threaded rod in the middle of the latch which goes to the pin. I seem to recall having to remove a cover or something to get to it.

[PT]

Yeah, you pull the plastic cover down and then turn the rod - I have all of them adjusted as much as possible. They cannot be adjusted anymore.

[BadBong]

Throwing an idea out there from the left field... what if your A-pillar is actually slightly bent?

I.e. if your passenger side A-pillar is slightly bent forward, that could explain why there's a gap at where you indicated.

[PT]

Whilst unlikely - Could be the case badbong - the soft top lines up perfectly, but I guess it is soft and would compensate. No issues with the window alignment and no evidence of repair taking place.

[BadBong]

Does the soft top line up parallel to the A-pillar before you (force) the clips together?

[Guran]

All those striker plates and clamps have a bit of slack in them for position adjustment. You could try loosening off the Torx bolts holding them in place, and wiggle them up/down/around to create a bit more space.

[PT]

Does the soft top line up parallel to the A-pillar before you (force) the clips together?

Yeah it does. Also, the hardtop is not. It needs to come forward at the front by same amount as the side. So the a pilar is not the problem.

I have adjusted all the striker plates also. Hence why I say I am about to start modifying them to get the adjustment I want.