Problem with Hood

[alan_thomas]

Having just been caught to by our wonderful British weather and having to run outside to put the hood up I felt I must post my problem to see if anyone has a solution.

My hood is incredibly hard to raise/ lower. Despite using the correct procedure and latching the rear section both sides the 'rear bar ' struggles to clear the rear edge of the stowage area and once it has been persuaded to enter its 5mins of breaking fingernails and trapping fingers etc before I can lever it out.

I eventurned up the special location screws to get the correct location ofthe frame but no difference. Also because of the tight fit the corners of the hood at the rear are permanently bent upwards and refuse to lie down on the rear bodywork.

The car has never been crashed or had major surgery so all the dimensions are standard. The only point I thing may be worth mentioning is that the pivot joints are stiff but none are broken.

So guys any suggestions? - Alan

[Mark S]

imported post

I assumt that you unzip the rear window to put the hood away? My hood is tight, and needs a special procedure to latch it in, but the rear hoop still seals all the way round (where there is seal). If the rear lip hooks itself around the vicious looking piece of bent metal on the tonneau, you can move the rear hoop forwards by slackening the three studs each side. These hold the hoop to the frame but this is best done before the hood fabric is fitted, otherwise the fabric may be slack. There is also adjustment at the main hinge where you can move the pivot point up, down, fore or aft. (mark the original position before you slacken the bolts) this may regain some losttension to the fabric? Not easy butwith trial and error you should get there in the end.Tou may also need to adjust the position of the rear pin so that ithits and latches in the hole.

Or you may wish that you had never started and left well alone :X

Mark.

[alan_thomas]

imported post

Mark S wrote:

Or you may wish that you had never started and left well alone :X

Mark.

Thanks Mark for quick reply, leaving alone is not an option as it is far from well.I do unzip the window. I tried once without and it was impossible to stow at all.

The hood material is very tight and after latching in the rear ‘spike’ and it needs considerable force on the front hood rail to engage the front lock levers.

As you mention I think I may try moving the rear hoop forwards on the 3 bolts as this would, in theory, move it away from the rear.

I am going to get a new hood cover this summer but want to get this problem sorted before fitting to avoid ruining the new hood.

To give you an idea of just how tight it is the rear corners of the Mohair are worn thru to the white ‘base’ fabric by rubbing on the rear of the stowage area when stowed.

Cheers Alan

[WHITESTAG]

imported post

Hi Alan -note your posting and sympathise...I too have exactly the same problem in every way you describe! can only suggest you religously follow this routine when dropping 1) unzip screen 2)lift rear to lock plates till latched 3) then release front levers 4) lif all back to tonneau folding out as you drop.... IF YOU DO IT ANY OTHER WAY... you find hood has tendency to move back slightly causing rear hoop to bind!! put back up in reverse order as described- I have carpeted inside my stowage well to protect hood!

hope it helps!:dude:cheers phil



]

[Oldromola]

imported post

I have two Stags. The hood on one folds back and drops down easily, and the tonneau cover clicks down equally easily. The hood will thenlift back up without any great effort the next time the sun shines.

The hood on the other Stag is the exact opposite - just like yours Alan. I have had it adjusted a couple of times but to no avail. It is a brute to stow away, the tonneau needs quite some force to get it shut and - once stowed away - I tend to resist the reverse procedure as it's such a hassle.

Why the one should be so easy and the other so difficult remains a mystery to me!