Soft Top Zipper Faulty

[SwissSteve]

I have noticed that the zip on the rear window on the softtop is starting to fail.

Sometimes when I lift the hood, the top left hand corner part of the zip has opened upand this extends for about 3 or 4 inches around the corner. If I open the hood front connector to release the tention on the hood I can move the zip back and forwards and the zip fixes itself until a few times ofraising the hood.

TBH I never use the zip and dont ever intend to open this plastic window so was wondering if it would be possible to glue the zip to stop it from opening.

Has anyone else had this issue and tried to fix this zip

[alan_thomas]

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SwissSteve wrote:

I have noticed that the zip on the rear window on the softtop is starting to fail.

Sometimes when I lift the hood, the top left hand corner part of the zip has opened upand this extends for about 3 or 4 inches around the corner. If I open the hood front connector to release the tention on the hood I can move the zip back and forwards and the zip fixes itself until a few times ofraising the hood.

TBH I never use the zip and dont ever intend to open this plastic window so was wondering if it would be possible to glue the zip to stop it from opening.

Has anyone else had this issue and tried to fix this zip

Steve, I wouldn't try glueing it, the glue would never take the strain. I had a similiar problem on the rear window zip of a TR7 years ago. If you have decided you will not be using it unzipped simply sew the 2 sides of the zip together at the start of the zip and if it bursts open by itself at anyplace push it back together to engage all the little teeth and the oversew the area before and after the area it pulls apart.

I used black 'bootmakers' thread in just beside the teeth on one side then out just the other side of the opposing tooth the other side. repeat 10 to 15 times and it will never pull apart again. It last 7 years and was still going strong when I sold the car

- Alan

[SwissSteve]

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OK, will give it a go.

thanks

[Arbman Al]

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Hi Steve,
Probably a bit late now, but I think guidelines are to unzip the rear window before folding away the soft top to relieve any tension on the zip,, and place a rolled up towel inside the window to stop it creasing.
Rgds.......Al

[rogerk]

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arbman101 wrote:

Hi Steve,
Probably a bit late now, but I think guidelines are to unzip the rear window before folding away the soft top to relieve any tension on the zip,, and place a rolled up towel inside the window to stop it creasing.
Rgds.......Al

Steve

Al has already stated the recommendation

But when I got my car three years ago the then owner had had a new hood but stowed it away with the window zipped up. this did have the same problem as yourself.

I wish to use the hood and sometimes i do put down the window so I carefully went over each tooth and sqeezed with pilers to help hold it together the applied WD40 over the zip

I always unzip the window when stowing away and I have not had the problem come back ( touch wood)

Roger

[SwissSteve]

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it is probably not too late but I was trying not to use the zipper in case it broke completely

[Stag Andy]

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Hi guys, my bloody zip has failed completely...... B******S had to do a bodgy repair with needle and thread for the time being, plan to get a trimmer to replace the zip at some stage. I really dont like to drop the hood without unzipping the window first

[Dave M]

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Stag Andy

Youve probably seen my posts about my window zipper which failed shortly after I hada new hood fitted. Ive just had the zip replacedwith a superior quality zip but it meant removing the cover to get it done. Wasent cheap but at least its better quality andI didnt have to pay the original hood fitter any more money to put right something that was crap and should have been put right free of charge in the first place. Just got to water proof it now as it leaks like a sieve.

Dave

[Rubce]

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The rear window is a damn silly design:shock:Your driving along in the sunshine with the top down. In typical UK style it thats to rain so you stop to put the top up. Once it is up, you then have to zip up the window and retreave your towel, during which time you are getting wetWhat a sodding phaf

Bruce

[brian0443]

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Bruce

Where and why do you use a towel and unzip the window? When I unzip the window it hangs vertically behind the seat.I thought the rolled up towel was only to prevent creasing when stowing without unzipping.

Brian

[Guest]

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Dave M wrote:

Stag Andy

Youve probably seen my posts about my window zipper which failed shortly after I hada new hood fitted. Ive just had the zip replacedwith a superior quality zip but it meant removing the cover to get it done. Wasent cheap but at least its better quality andI didnt have to pay the original hood fitter any more money to put right something that was crap and should have been put right free of charge in the first place. Just got to water proof it now as it leaks like a sieve.

Dave

Hi Dave, glad you got it sorted, did you go back and tell him ? Martin

[Dave M]

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Hi Martin

Informed the original fitter soon after I had the hood fitted, he said it was abuse on my part and wanted more dosh off me to get the zipper replaced which is why Im very anti a certain Stag specialist in the Leicester area as I spent a lot of money with them prior to this incident again not without problems.

My new zip is far better and looks fit for purpose. The trimmer has also fitted a toggle on the exterior of the zip which some may find a little strange but it means I can unzip the window with my boss screen in place. The zipper toggle is not easy to see and I reckon that if anyone wants to get in the stag they would probably cut the roof anyway.

The trimmer charged me more than the original fitter wanted to replace the zip but I refuse to give any more money to a company that does not give a toss about its customers once they have been paid and actually lie about their products and the reasonsbehind poor workmanship, rant over again.

Dave