MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => General => Topic started by: Call the midlife! on September 16, 2018, 18:40

Title: Soft top removal.
Post by: Call the midlife! on September 16, 2018, 18:40
Is there a "how to"? I get so far down the list and it just keeps trying to load.
And can it be done with just hand tools? I know I've seen somewhere that there's bits of the frame welded on/together but if I'm just unbolting it as a full unit, frame and cover then do I still need some form of grinder etc?


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Title: Re: Soft top removal.
Post by: ilovejapcrap on September 16, 2018, 20:08
Andrew took one off to paint a full car mate worth asking him


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Title: Re: Soft top removal.
Post by: Call the midlife! on September 16, 2018, 20:11
Quote from: ilovejapcrap on September 16, 2018, 20:08
Andrew took one off to paint a full car mate worth asking him


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Aaah. Cheers.


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Title: Re: Soft top removal.
Post by: hiace82 on September 16, 2018, 21:15
No need to cut or grind anything just for taking out the softtop with its frame. It takes a spanner and a helping hand to remove the top once all screws are loose. Flashlight could be handy as well.

I did a complete de-softtop after my hardtop purchase so feel free to ask! [emoji846]
Title: Re: Soft top removal.
Post by: Call the midlife! on September 16, 2018, 21:18
Quote from: hiace82 on September 16, 2018, 21:15
No need to cut or grind anything just for taking out the softtop with its frame. It takes a spanner and a helping hand to remove the top once all screws are loose. Flashlight could be handy as well.

I did a complete de-softtop after my hardtop purchase so feel free to ask! [emoji846]
Cheers, I might be removing one this week without access to mains power so was just checking if I'd need to take a battery grinder etc. I'm assuming it's if you're taking the fabric off the frame you have to remove the welded pin then? I'll probably be on my own so I'll just have to beat it myself [emoji23].


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Title: Re: Soft top removal.
Post by: Call the midlife! on September 16, 2018, 21:19
Quote from: Call the midlife! on September 16, 2018, 21:18
Quote from: hiace82 on September 16, 2018, 21:15
No need to cut or grind anything just for taking out the softtop with its frame. It takes a spanner and a helping hand to remove the top once all screws are loose. Flashlight could be handy as well.

I did a complete de-softtop after my hardtop purchase so feel free to ask! [emoji846]
Cheers, I might be removing one this week without access to mains power so was just checking if I'd need to take a battery grinder etc. I'm assuming it's if you're taking the fabric off the frame you have to remove the welded pin then? I'll probably be on my own so I'll just have to beat it myself [emoji23].


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I should add I want to replace my own with it at some point so needs to come out in good order.[emoji23]


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Title: Re: Soft top removal.
Post by: hiace82 on September 16, 2018, 21:25
Aaah I see. I'm afraid I won't be much of a help then as I left the fabric on its frame - now it's resting in the attic in (more or less) 1 piece.
Title: Re: Soft top removal.
Post by: Call the midlife! on September 16, 2018, 21:27
I was basically planning on taking the donor one out as a full unit, frame and fabric and window etc and straight swapping it for the one in my car?


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Title: Re: Soft top removal.
Post by: hiace82 on September 16, 2018, 21:33
You're good to go. If the donor car will be driven after the removal, you need to fabricate some sort of bracket or mount for the seatbelts. If not, it's just a matter of perhaps 2 hrs to get the top out. You will be quicker on subsequent attempts [emoji1]
Title: Re: Soft top removal.
Post by: Call the midlife! on September 16, 2018, 21:37
Quote from: hiace82 on September 16, 2018, 21:33
You're good to go. If the donor car will be driven after the removal, you need to fabricate some sort of bracket or mount for the seatbelts. If not, it's just a matter of perhaps 2 hrs to get the top out. You will be quicker on subsequent attempts [emoji1]
Nah, the donor car won't be driving anywhere in a hurry...[emoji15](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180916/d57839927ba3e6b8687302c5c504281a.jpg)


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Title: Re: Soft top removal.
Post by: hiace82 on September 16, 2018, 21:41
Must have hit quite a massive pothole [emoji51]
Title: Re: Soft top removal.
Post by: Call the midlife! on September 16, 2018, 21:49
Quote from: hiace82 on September 16, 2018, 21:41
Must have hit quite a massive pothole [emoji51]
Indeed.


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Title: Re: Soft top removal.
Post by: BahnStormer on September 17, 2018, 09:24
Quote from: hiace82 on September 16, 2018, 21:41
Must have hit quite a massive pothole [emoji51]

Yeah, that's gonna need more than T-Cut to buff out!!

...and make sure somebody gets those FL leather seats before you remove the waterproofing!!
Title: Re: Soft top removal.
Post by: Call the midlife! on September 17, 2018, 09:39
Quote from: BahnStormer on September 17, 2018, 09:24
Quote from: hiace82 on September 16, 2018, 21:41
Must have hit quite a massive pothole [emoji51]

Yeah, that's gonna need more than T-Cut to buff out!!

...and make sure somebody gets those FL leather seats before you remove the waterproofing!!
The passenger seat is in the back of my Mondeo already, driver's wasn't worth trying to get out, wouldn't move on the rails to access the mounting bolts and had a lot of wear.
I didn't get first dibs on it unfortunately so most of the shiny stuff had already been taken, lights etc.


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