Am I missing something here? (Probably)

[Pete McCue]

Ok, so I appear to have the leak I've read about that runs down inside the dash on the passenger side footwell. I've checked for missing butyl gasket on the seal but it all looks perfect. I was about to try taking the windscreen pillar trim off this afternoon to see if I could see anything there but when I tried to remove the soft top hook the bolts are REALLY tight. They have both moved a quarter turn or so but remain really, really tight. Do they have nuts on the back? Cheers.

[Joesson]

@Pete McCue

You really do NOT want to take those fixings out!
I understand they are fitted into a captive or Rivnut type female end.
I believe more have been unsuccessful than successful.
I have read that the head will not resist the necessary force to undo them, and that some have resorted to drilling them out.
I suggest only remove them if you are going to permanently fix a hard top with some aftermarket brackets.

[Carolyn]

Ditto to the above.

[Pete McCue]

@Pete McCue

You really do NOT want to take those fixings out!
I understand they are fitted into a captive or Rivnut type female end.
I believe more have been unsuccessful than successful.
I have read that the head will not resist the necessary force to undo them, and that some have resorted to drilling them out.
I suggest only remove them if you are going to permanently fix a hard top with some aftermarket brackets.

Blimey, that doesn't sound like your typical Japanese build quality! Best leave well alone then. So no way of getting that trim off?

[Gaz mr-s]

The bolts have a lot of threadlock on them.  To get them off it needs an impact gun, but the bolts seem to be made of pretty soft metal. Only if absolutely necessary, as already suggested.

There is a 'tab' in the seal the window meets, & the angle of it is quite critical.  I don't have personal experience of it....google?

[shnazzle]

Those bolts are not moving. Those who have managed I think it's because of the factory not applying as much Loctite

I did manage to get them off with a bit of pulling, turning, stretching etc. if you REALLY must. 
But you mustn't

[Pete McCue]

I wonder why they went so mad with the lock-tite just on those bolts?

[Joesson]

The only time that I even considered having a go at removing those fixings was some time ago when I thought I would need to remove the trim on the side and across the top of the screen to conceal a dash cam cable. When I found  that the cable could be simply pushed between the screen and the trim there was no need.

As to why there is a prohibitive amount of Loctite on those screws  I can only guess that Mr T did not want them to be removed / come loose in service.

[Carolyn]

Blimey, that doesn't sound like your typical Japanese build quality! Best leave well alone then. So no way of getting that trim off?

I don't know of any car that does not have its foibles.  As far as the MR2 MK3 goes, it's piston design was a real shocker. Very regular oil changes with top quality oil and at three times the frequency recommended by Toyota, will keep the engine healthy, but the 1ZZfe was not Toyota's crowning achievement.

[Ardent]

Potential for a new topic right there.

What is ones perception, of what is their crowning achievement?

I'll go with the LFA.

[McMr2]

Potential for a new topic right there.

Was is ones perception, of what is their crowning achievement?

I'll go with the LFA.

I'd agree. In a different way, but perhaps with a similar intent, the original LS400 was also remarkable.

[Joesson]

The LFA I believe refers to Toyota's Land Cruiser and LS 400 to their Lexus prestige large saloon. Both of these with a V8 engine fitted into a largish body.
Does this suggest that size matters?
The V8 arrangement approaches the optimum for an ICE but requires more space than an engine with lesser cylinder count. This extra space means that there is more room for simpler design of other elements  of the vehicle. Perhaps this extra space/ simpler design goes towards reliability, with that space also meaning easier access for service and maintenance.
While I'm not advocating that bigger is better but I am suggesting that it is easier to carve a tree trunk than a matchstick.

[Ardent]

@Joesson different LFA.

[Joesson]

@Joesson different LFA.

So in answer to "Am I missing something here? (Probably)", I am!

[Ardent]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_LFA

[Ardent]

Drifting OT apologies.

[Pete McCue]

Drifting OT apologies.

No worries, I have my info, you crack on! 🤣