Hard Top

[Spurs]

Hi,

I have had my hardtop repainted nad have just put all the trim back on, only the fron strip to do now.

I have fitted new seals but now I cannot get the four mounting points to lock. I took the rear locking pin off to assist and I have managed to get the front ones locked but the rear are about 10mm above the plate. I did get someone to push down and got one in but ut pulled the plate up !

I thought it was just the new seals but I am pretty sure its not that. Is there some knack on getting these hard tops on ?

Martin

[stustag]

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Hi Martin

Stupid qestion you have lined up the pin with the notch in the lock plates?:?

The handles should face inwards when putting on (90 degrees to the windows) and then lock towards the glass.

Stuart

[DJT]

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Martin,

Another point: are the rear screen heater connectors fitting into the sockets in the top of the b-posts correctly? This may stop the hard top sitting down fully.

If you managed to pull up one of the locking plates, then this suggests it was not fixed down properly or the studs have pulled out. The locking plates are chromed mazak (a poor alloy). They have two studs threaded into the underside which go through holes in the body and a re secured by nuts. These nuts are a bit fiddly to reach so may have been left off or dropped off.

Dave

[Spurs]

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Stuart/Dave,

Thanks for response.

Locking handles have been aligned correctly but I cannot get rear ones low enough to engage properly. The heated rear window contacts are not in right position but I cannot seem to get the rear any lower. As I said I took the rear locking plunger off as I thought this maybe the problem and although I did manage to get the front locking handles in place the rear are a little way off. I think the one that pulled out may not have a nut on the other side !

I will have to have another look !

Martin

[jleyton]

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Hi Martin,

I know that this 'phenomenon' sounds almost impossible - they didn't make long and short wheelbase Stags after all but you may not be alone.

I bought a replacement hardtop for my car and it came without the rear fixing pin. It does fit on the car but it looks like it is sitting about 1" too far forward as the front header rail handles are almost totally inaccessible on top of the header rail.

I'm convinced that when I do fit the rear pin,the roofwon't fit !

However, I won't be fitting it for a few weeks so I'll look forward to reading how you resolve yours. If, heaven forbids, you still have a problem in a few weeks I'll let you know how I get on.

I just thought that if you knew you were not alone you might not feel so bad about it

[Spurs]

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One thing I have learned about the Stag is that you are rarely alone with a problem ! Things like this are really frustrating as you would expect the hard tops to go on and off with relative ease and not to be so tightly toleranced ! On the rear pin there is a adjustment sideways but none front to back.

One thing I do not know is if there is a difference between Mk1 and Mk2 hardtops, does anyone know if there is ??

Saying that mine did come off a MK2 so it should not affect mine !

I will let you know how mine goes !

Martin

[stagwingnut]

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martin , i have a mk1 hardtop fitted to my mk 2 car ,fits with no problem ,so i would say the dimensions are all the same!! the only difference is thenon tinted glass , i changed all the glass for tinted!cheers Graham

[Spurs]

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Graham,

Thanks, at least that rules that one possibility out !

Martin

[dasadrew]

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I'm new at the Stag game, having bought one to restore about 2 weeks ago, but on one side of the hardtop I have EXACTLY the problem you are describing.

The hardtop came original with the car but hasn't been fitted in 20 years and is a bit gammy. To transport the whole shooting match, however, I fitted it. Exactly as you say, on one side it just won't go down. As it's low priority, I've not spent any more time on it, but couldn't see any obstruction of any sort, and the pin lined up perfectly.

The remaining side just drops in with absolutely no effort.

[brian0443]

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Martin wrote: The heated rear window contacts are not in right position . If that is the case the hard top cannot be locked down.

You also mention fitting new seals. If these are on the sides of the hardtop be aware that the doors close against them, not under them, so keep both doors open and you may find a difference. If you have fitted them also to the downward edge that goes against the B post you may have to exert some forward pressure to compress them sufficiently to let the rear screen connectors intop place.

Make sure the plungers in the sockets on top of the B posts are not jammed. Then line up the top against these. Keep the front unlocked. If you have stainless steel "protectors" fitted to the B posts these may make the fit a little tighter but only slightly so. The weight of the thing is such that once the heated rear window plugsDROP into place on top of the B post, the locking handles, front and middle should be fighting to get into their positions. The rear pin is always a problem and like many others I think it is best removed.

Good luck

Brian

[DJT]

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Spurs wrote:

One thing I do not know is if there is a difference between Mk1 and Mk2 hardtops, does anyone know if there is ??

Martin,

The only difference is that the Mk1 tops were fitted with clear glass. The later ones had Sundym tinted glass. Later ones also had air vents near the rear window in the C-pillars. Other than that they are the same and completely interchangeable.

Dave

[StagnJag]

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Try one of these:P.

(Sorry nothing more constructive to add )



Dave

[Spurs]

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Dave,

Dont think I havent considered it !

Martin