Hardtop Help - Latches are loose

Body, Paint, Interior and Trim questions and answers

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Dweezle
Racing Driver
Posts: 1923
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:51 am
Vehicle: NA6
Location: Sydney

Hardtop Help - Latches are loose

Postby Dweezle » Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:31 pm

Hi all,

Finally picked up a Great Condition Black Hardtop today.

I have a small issue, which i am sure has a easy fix.

The front and side latches are loose.
I have tightened up the little twisty finger dealeo inside the latches which helped a little but they are not tight like my soft top was.
I can see that it is not pulling tight against the seals.

I believe you can adjust the piece that goes on the frankenstein bolts but that seems like it would not allow the hardtop to go forward enough.

Is there a more correct way to adjust this?

It is a NB hardtop going onto a NA, which i assume makes no difference?

Any help much appreciated.
ALL MUSCLE CARS ARE CRAP
Jeremy Clarkson

except of course, the Almighty VIPER!!!! 8)

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hks_kansei
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Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:43 am
Vehicle: NB8A
Location: Victoria

Re: Hardtop Help - Latches are loose

Postby hks_kansei » Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:46 pm

If you've adjusted the twisty things I';d suggest next adjusting the latch itself.

ie: loosen the bolts holding it on, shift the latch back a few mm, then try again

I can't remember if the adjustment is on the car side (the hooky bit) or the latch side though?



The frankenstein bolt ones are adjusted after the other latches.
The frankensteing bolt ones only need to be resting under the head of the bolt, if they're too close, or worse, under tension when the latches at the front are tightened, you may have issues getting the top on and off as they can bind.
Also, having them too tight wears them out quicker.




Personally I would get rid of the side latches, the front ones and the frankenstein bolts are plenty to hold the top on.
1999 Mazda MX5 - 1989 Honda CT110 (for sale) - 1994 Mazda 626 wagon (GF's)

User avatar
Dweezle
Racing Driver
Posts: 1923
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:51 am
Vehicle: NA6
Location: Sydney

Re: Hardtop Help - Latches are loose

Postby Dweezle » Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:52 pm

Thanks for that.

I loosened one of the latches and it had a small amount of adjustment in it.
All i could get only ever so slightly improved it.

I guess i will have to wait for a extra helper and just take it off and adjust a few things and see if that helps.

Strange a when i borrowed a hardtop years ago it just seemed to go on nice and snug.
Hopefully this will be able to do that same.
ALL MUSCLE CARS ARE CRAP
Jeremy Clarkson

except of course, the Almighty VIPER!!!! 8)


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