I have a problem with the soft top frame on my Stag and would like to replace it. The hood material and window are in good order. Does anyone have experience of removing the hood from the frame? Is if possible to remove and replace it without damage?
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Hi John, as thehood is glued to the headrail, the"sticks" and the back of the frame I would doubt you can separate them successfully - that's not to say you shouldn't try, but budget for a new hood, just in case.
Martin.
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G'day John,
I did this job a few years back, firstly remove all the clamps, then thesealing rubbers from their retaining strips, be careful with the one that runs across the top of the windscreen frame, it is delicate and I'm told, unavailable new.
Then drill out all the rivets that are securing the retaining strips. Once you have removed the strips you should be able to start peeling back the hood from the frame. The hoodhas stripsthat arerolled andglued around therailsthat run across the frame.
I used earbuds dipped in acetoneto weaken the glue, be careful it can damage the hood material.
I've posted a picture from the Rimmers site below, I hope itclarifies my explanation!
regards,
Raoul
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John Wright wrote:Removing and refitting the cover is a job you can do yourself, but you will need at least a spare day and a lot of patience. The front and vertical side rubber seals can be a real sweat to refit if they are the hard rubber types. Also there are about 40 rivets to drill out (carefully) and replace. You will need plenty of evo-stik too for gluing the material back to the frame, but make sure it is put back exactly in the same places.I have a problem with the soft top frame on my Stag and would like to replace it. The hood material and window are in good order. Does anyone have experience of removing the hood from the frame? Is if possible to remove and replace it without damage?
Are you sure you can't repair the frame in-situ? Check the top side rails for bent arms, and loose/missing bolts. I recently helped a guy who had a broken front corner, and I sent him an exchange front section which can be replaced without removing the whole cover. But if your frame is old and generally bad, it is best to recondition the whole thing as they can break/collapse and damage the hood material.
Ask again if you need any more tips.
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Thank you for your help with how to change my hood frame.
My frame is OK apart from the o/s front corner that has rusted and broken. My first idea was to try and get the broken piece of front rail and tray and replace this by welding it on to the sound part. This I would do without completely removing the cover. The problem is finding the parts. If anyone has a damaged frame with the o/s from corner intact, I would be happy to pay for it.
John
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John, if you remove the front section complete by detaching the soft top from the front, then unbolting the complete section, you can either repair it or get a replacement. To repair it you need to cut out the corner, and make a new banana shaped piece which has a hole one end for the rivet, and is welded onto the front rail at the other end. This piece of metal needs to be cut from approx 5mm plate. See picture below.
Alternatively, obtain a complete front section from another frame.Comment
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