Hi
Tried to fit a hardtop to my wife's MR2 this morning. I followed the Toyota fitting instructions exactly and everything went fine until it came to fixing the roof on. Roof is hooked into the rear brackets, locked into position with the front clamps, but the side clamps won't fix down and just spring back up. Its as if the clamps aren't pulling the roof down enough for the clip to hold the handle in position. I've tried the adjuster on the clamps and it still won't adjust far enough. Also tried adjusting the side strikers to compensate but they are fitted as low as they will go.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Have I missed something blatantly obvious?
have you tried adjusting the side clamps via the hexagonal adjuster inside them that's hidden under it's own plastic locking clip? I believe there's some slight adjustment can be done to the posts themselves too.
Tried the hexagonal adjuster and also loosened the bolts on the posts and adjusted these as much as possible. It's as if the posts need to be located lower but there's no more adjustment in them
Check your correctly 'hooked' into the silver hooks at the back of the hardtop, on both sides.
If they are hooked in properly - you probably need to adjust the angle that your side strikers are bolted in at (I assume you have only just bolted on the side strikers?). The side strikers have two bolts, one of which sits in an elongated hole to allow adjustment for this very situation.
Roof is correctly hooked at the back. I removed and refit the roof several times to confirm this. I will have another go at adjusting the angle of the strikers.
In the installation instructions it mentions using a different bolt if the side lock lever isn't fixed properly. I don't have the alternative bolt so cannot try this, but I don't see how it can make any difference as the instructions label both bolts as being M8 x 22mm
Toyota have ordered me these alternative bolts and will be here on Tuesday. For 88p a bolt it's worth a try
If you post up your location there may be someone close who could have a look with you.
BTW Hardtop in this weather s:shock: :shock: s:shock: s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Should edit my profile shouldn't I. I'm in Salford, Manchester. Someone slashed the roof last weekend trying to break into the car so easiest option was to put a hard top on and replace the soft top in the future. Didn't want to replace the soft top (£900!) for it to happen again
Im just by Ikea in Warrington, about 15-20 mins from you. I have fitting kits and hardtops here if you want to try swapping stuff around to check if something isnt right. Happy to help if I can.
If you do find a cure let me know, mine started popping last year and I settled for cable ties
Stupid question but ask the obvious first, have you got the right and left strikers on the correct sides of the car, they are handed (marked R & L when viewed from the rear IIRC).
Already made sure they are they right way round, they are s:) :) s:)
I'll see if these other bolts make a difference on Tuesday and report back. If they don't would be great to have someone check it over and try different parts to check. Can't see how the bolts will make a difference though as surely they will just fix the strikers in the same position.
Honestly you are that close to D!ck you may as well go for a spin tomorrow and get his opinion, he knows a bit about 2`s s:mrgreen: :mrgreen: s:mrgreen:
Yeah isn't far at all. Unfortunately I'm working all day tomorrow so won't get the chance. Will take up the offer though if I don't sort it on Tuesday s:) :) s:)
Im semi retired, so here most of the time.
There is another fix which involves takin the clamp apart and cutting down the studs to allow for more adjustment.
Personally I would take up D!ck offer first though.
D!ck do you have another hard top too, to trial?
Watching with interest ,ive got the same issue
took my brackets off ,and theres no way they will lock the same as the fronts ,because theres nothing for the clip to clip to?
this is the front one ,and when closed theres no gap ,until you press the catch
(http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n281/blz-8027/mk3%20mr2/2012-08-04162752.jpg)
this is the rear one ,when closed theres still a gap ,so nothing for the catch to catch on and lock????
(http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n281/blz-8027/mk3%20mr2/2012-08-04173205.jpg)
Exactly the same as mine mate. The gap does shorten as the clamp pulls the roof down onto the car, but it doesn't pull it down enough and it's as if the side strikers need to be installed lower
I'll keep this thread updated and hopefully will find a solution
As expected the new bolts from Toyota have made no difference.
D!ck I've sent you a pm (I think). Let me know if you have got it.
Cheers
D!ck is on suspension at the minute (details in the club announcements section)
Again! lol his help here like my own thts needed will be missed....
Quote from: "Carbon RX"Again! lol his help here like my own thts needed will be missed....
Plenty of knowledgable members on the forum. We're not limited to just one
Im not saying he is the only one, but he is the only one who has made a very kind offer as above and who may have a spare set of HL's for sale that im currently after, i had wondered why he had not posted on my request thread, it seems when ever i need a part(s) he has broken t'blooming rules. I come from a forum with almost no rules including swearing, if you dont like it dont go on there attitude is maintained and everyone loves that fact! I dont want to go into all that Jazz nor do i want to hijack this thread so will say no more.
That's typical. Don't suppose anyone else has any suggestions do they?
Other than using tie wraps or cutting the studs to see if they solves the issue, I'm a bit stuck!
One of mine is a bit weak too, it appears these latches seem to stretch over time / abuse.
I suspect the only real cure is to find some replacement latches, either new from CTP or Toyota or from a wrecked hardtop.
I even ended up with a cable tie just keeping the latch engaged one winter ... i.e. to keep it snapped shut.
Quote from: "matt29"That's typical. Don't suppose anyone else has any suggestions do they?
Other than using tie wraps or cutting the studs to see if they solves the issue, I'm a bit stuck!
Cutting the studs will work as it will give you more adjustment. However taking Wabbit's point, it will prolly only cause more stretch. The effect of more strain on the fixings bonded to the hardtop is unquantified as far as I know. I am not sure how close to the limit it would put the fixings bonded to the hardtop.
Actually, thinking aloud.
The latches on the soft top that latch it to the windscreen surround are very likely the same as the ones on the side of the hardtop.
I'd like to bet there are a few lying around breakers, or people who have replaced soft tops.
Replacing the latches sounds a good idea. I'll see if there's any difference between the top and side latches. If there isn't I'll take the two off the soft top if I can and try those
I seem to remember reading somewhere that someone tried to take the hardtop latches off and didn't have a huge amount of success. Let us know how you get on, if you go down that route.
As I recall, the bolts are pretty tight and are threadlocked. Make sure you use a good quality tool to undo.
I'm pretty sure the front and side latch housings have different profiles and mount points. I would confirm this, but I'm mid ice-cream and don't want it to melt!
Quote from: "matt29"That's typical. Don't suppose anyone else has any suggestions do they?
Other than using tie wraps or cutting the studs to see if they solves the issue, I'm a bit stuck!
ive cut mine ,and no difference ,ive even swapped over the catches from a front set ,no difference
the only way i can see these working is to weld a blob on the end ,to make the catch slightly larger ,
theres no adjustment that allows this gap to be closed
Front and side catches are different ,different shape and longer hooked bit ,,ive tried
(http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n281/blz-8027/mk3%20mr2/2012-08-04162707.jpg)
this bit is longer on the fronts ,so you cant even swap that over
(http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n281/blz-8027/mk3%20mr2/IMAG0125.jpg)
had a look on the parts list and the front latches are sided (left/right) and different to the side ones (same latch either side)...all of them stupidly expensive too!
m http://www.mr2spyder.net/spyderweb/inde ... anent-fix/ (http://www.mr2spyder.net/spyderweb/index.php?/topic/842-hardtop-latches-permanent-fix/) m
Out of interest how much are the side latches?
could only find them listed with a price on US sites and a German one, US is listed at approx £65 & the German one £124, both not including taxes and shipping costs...no idea what Mr T might charge but I'm guessing they won't be cheaper!
Having just fitted a hardtop I cant see the latches 'stretching' they are pretty solid pieces of engineering!
Nor can I see how you would get the mount kit on wrong really - if you tightened the latches up to much I guess it might pull them down - i would suspect more wear in the pivot pin/bearing (without taking one apart I wouldn't know which)
I am in north Staffordshire/south Cheshire - if you want to pop down we could swap tops and see if it appears to be top or mount related and also try measuring things to see if we can narrow it down?
Sometimes the rear latch points can get bent and out of alignment if the top was removed awkwardly.I've seen a couple like that. That could easily upset things. Might be worth a look.
It pains me to resurrect a 7 year old thread, but I'm having this issue with my hardtop side clasps. Did anyone find a solution? For now I'm using folded up pieces of card between the clamp and the release latch. I'll probably "upgrade" to some zip ties but it would be nice to have it proper.
I, like others on this thread, have checked correct sides, checked rear mounting clips, and tried the hex adjusters.
Quote from: househead on October 17, 2019, 18:00It pains me to resurrect a 7 year old thread, but I'm having this issue with my hardtop side clasps. Did anyone find a solution? For now I'm using folded up pieces of card between the clamp and the release latch. I'll probably "upgrade" to some zip ties but it would be nice to have it proper.
I, like others on this thread, have checked correct sides, checked rear mounting clips, and tried the hex adjusters.
What exactly, is the issue? Not clamping tight enough?
Quote from: Carolyn on October 17, 2019, 18:38Quote from: househead on October 17, 2019, 18:00It pains me to resurrect a 7 year old thread, but I'm having this issue with my hardtop side clasps. Did anyone find a solution? For now I'm using folded up pieces of card between the clamp and the release latch. I'll probably "upgrade" to some zip ties but it would be nice to have it proper.
I, like others on this thread, have checked correct sides, checked rear mounting clips, and tried the hex adjusters.
What exactly, is the issue? Not clamping tight enough?
Clamps not staying down when adjuster is made sufficiently tight. If I loosen them via the adjuster they simply aren't clamping (too loose). Tried all the range of the adjuster but the retainer clip thing at the top doesn't retain. One would think the plastic on the retainer bit has worn down but it looks fine.
My current theory is through time and use the distance between the retainer and the large clamp has stretched.
Quote from: househead on October 17, 2019, 19:02Quote from: Carolyn on October 17, 2019, 18:38Quote from: househead on October 17, 2019, 18:00It pains me to resurrect a 7 year old thread, but I'm having this issue with my hardtop side clasps. Did anyone find a solution? For now I'm using folded up pieces of card between the clamp and the release latch. I'll probably "upgrade" to some zip ties but it would be nice to have it proper.
I, like others on this thread, have checked correct sides, checked rear mounting clips, and tried the hex adjusters.
What exactly, is the issue? Not clamping tight enough?
Clamps not staying down when adjuster is made sufficiently tight. If I loosen them via the adjuster they simply aren't clamping (too loose). Tried all the range of the adjuster but the retainer clip thing at the top doesn't retain. One would think the plastic on the retainer bit has worn down but it looks fine.
My current theory is through time and use the distance between the retainer and the large clamp has stretched.
The retainer buttons wear. But you shouldn't need them to make the clamp stay put. Try a bit of sticky rubber packing in the part of the upright that catches the clamp. That should allow for an adjustment that works.
Thanks
@Carolyn ill give that a go. Rubber will work better than the folded up bits of scrap paper which will almost certainly fall out when I'm thrashing it and bouncing about >:D
I've had a couple of hardtops and although the last one (sold to NVY) was perfect, the previous one (sold to James_Ly)) had the side clasps that popped up really easily - there wasn't a constant force pushing the lever part of the clasp out, but once they started too move, they'd pop open pretty easily.
The solution was simple and very reliable: thread a medium to small size cable tie through the back of the clasp, so that when the lever is pulled down, you can tighten the cable tie across the middle/lower-middle part of it and keep it securely in place.
The force required to keep it in place was minimal, so a fairly small cable tie was perfect for the ~4 months (~4000miles of B roads) that I needed until I could get a new mohair hood.
Quote from: BahnStormer on October 23, 2019, 09:33I've had a couple of hardtops and although the last one (sold to NVY) was perfect, the previous one (sold to James_Ly)) had the side clasps that popped up really easily - there wasn't a constant force pushing the lever part of the clasp out, but once they started too move, they'd pop open pretty easily.
The solution was simple and very reliable: thread a medium to small size cable tie through the back of the clasp, so that when the lever is pulled down, you can tighten the cable tie across the middle/lower-middle part of it and keep it securely in place.
The force required to keep it in place was minimal, so a fairly small cable tie was perfect for the ~4 months (~4000miles of B roads) that I needed until I could get a new mohair hood.
Yep, worked well, I had the hardtop 6 months or so, no leaks and cut the wind noise down a lot. I only cut the cable ties off when I sold the hardtop on.
I'm rocking the zip tie method now too. Everything is nice and tight and no wind whistle. Nice neat hack.