soft top locking

[cowman2]

Sorry to all, but i dont have the correct terminology for the items im trying to describe.

Even though i dont use the soft top often i would still like it to be not so much of a battle to put it on. One issue i have is it takes some time to get the front locking levers to engage with the "lock?" on top of the windscreen frame.

I have a poor picture of what im talking about and as can be seen the PO has made a mess of it over many years.

Can this be fixed? are their replacement "locking" items available from the UK suppliers? Will this help at all or is it another problem altogether?

Thanks, Glen.

[peter f]

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I swopped my locking levers with the stubby ends, for the type with a pointy end (technical term!).
I find the trick is to make sure you locate the points before putting any pressure on them - easier said than done, when it's persisting it down on a dual carriageway, I would add !!
lol
Peter f

[jleyton]

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Hi Glen,

If it's any consolation my chrome capping doesn't look much better than that, although the soft top does close relatively easily.

There are several points to consider here:

Firstly, if you don't use the soft top much, is it folded away and you're using the hardtop or do you mean that it's left up most of the time? If it's folded away then it may well need a bit of a stretch to ease the fitting - do this by leaving it up for a week or so and allowing the hood to get hot/cool and wet/dry.

I've always found it best to locate the front locking levers before you do the rear fitting. If the rear oneis not latched in place then it's usually easier to fix the front as the hood isn't under tension. Once the front ones are in place then you can give the rear one a really hearty swing downwards and thump to secure it.

Peter's point about the pointed levers is also a good one - IIRC the soft top should have the pointed type.

As for whether you can fix it, I don't believe the chrome capping is available new and the actual fixtures are simply screwed in place underneath the capping - you'd probably be best getting second hand replacements (if they're really needed as probably they're not)

Not sure that this all makes much sense,:shock:but I hope it does.

Cheers

Julian

[V Mad]

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Glen, you say it takes some time, why is that?

Are you using the correct sequence ielock front first then back?

Do you find that thepinsdo not easily line up with the holes?

[jasper]

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It sounds to me like you don't use your hood much . That would indicate that the frame itself is stiff or just plane wobbly . Judging by the picture the locking pins are missing the holes by a long way ,to be denting the top strip like yours has ,

I would start by having a good look at the frame to see if it needs any tightening up any where to get rid of that play , and also see if it could do with some lube in any areas to make it move more freely what ever type of locking levers you have , they should not be that far from the hole

When you have your frame working correctly you need to lock the pins in the front of the hood , then close the back part , NOT SLAM if you have to slam it shut , the locking pin is not set correctand can be adjusted to make it close tightly enough to be an easy shut with out leaving a gap under the rear rubbers , I would suggest you do this then look at the front and rear rubbers from inside the vehicle to see if you have any gaps , if you have it wont be that watertight , so you may want to replace the rubberswith new ones , not a hard job just fiddly , if that fails to stop any gaps at the front then you need to remove the chrome strip on top of window screen and change the brass locking holes ( not an easy job with all that glueor silicone under the strip )

I am no expert on hoods . It is just that this is exactly what myself and mick an EJ Wards didto my car last week , It now works great ,

If you need any parts getting and posting PM me It would be a pleasure

John

PS nice colour car mate

[cowman2]

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Thanks Guys, great advice as always.

Due to the fact i live in a very dry climate area of OZ and the Stag is a weekend/club run car only, the soft top is usually tucked away - the hard top has been on once to transport to storage (my machinery shed).

The soft top has the pointed locating pins, they line up fine but need a lot of downward pressure and fiddling before the drivers side one "catches" and closes, then the other one is fine to close as well. This can take 5 minutes of back and forth, going from side to side and pushing down.

Yes, im putting the front locked in first and them the back - if i do it the other way round the front pins are short of the holes by some distance. I did this to prove the rear catch does work.

I think its clear the frame must be bent/need adjustment but being my first one i have nothing to compare and reference.

I will leave it on for a while and see if it stretches. I have adjusted the rear locking pin using the slotted holes but it still will not lock down at the back, no matter how hard i slam.

I guess i should just loosen all the bolts and find the place that fits and then tighten back up?

I have no problems about the chrome finisher and the PO was a bit of a tool as i'm finding out with other silly bodges around the car. The only reason i can see for the damage is the PO/s being careless.

Thanks, Glen.

[V Mad]

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cowman2 wrote:

Thanks Guys, great advice as always.


The soft top has the pointed locating pins, they line up fine but need a lot of downward pressure and fiddling before the drivers side one "catches" and closes, then the other one is fine to close as well. This can take 5 minutes of back and forth, going from side to side and pushing down.

There are a few things that could make the front difficult to close: the first is the rubber seal above the B-post; make sure it is not too long or has slipped backas this can stop the frame coming forward far enough. Secondly, the frame may be too low and jamming on top of the B-post; this can be rectified by loosening the mounting bolts and lifting the frame up a bit (the frame holes are slotted). If all that failts, look at the angle of the pins; they should be leaning forward byabout 15 degrees, if more or less the frame has got bent at the corners (a weak spot). Bending it back is risky though!

I will leave it on for a while and see if it stretches. I have adjusted the rear locking pin using the slotted holes but it still will not lock down at the back, no matter how hard i slam.

Is the pin on its longest adjustment? If the hood will not close at the rear because it seems too tight, this should ease a bit if you leave it under tension for a couple of days; spraying with water first may help too. If your cover is not mohair, ie duck, this can shrink which then makes closing almost impossible.