Soft top "strap"

fawtytoo · July 20, 2021, 20:48

My '2 is 19 in September and, as far as I can tell, has the original soft top which is in (albeit a bit faded) very good, almost new condition. Except for the strap that pulls the "ears" in. It's the elasticated Y shaped piece stitched to the sides of the roof which have frayed although do still work.

Is it possible to repair that? Obviously by an expert I mean.

1979scotte · July 21, 2021, 10:38

Quote from: fawtytoo on July 20, 2021, 20:48My '2 is 19 in September and, as far as I can tell, has the original soft top which is in (albeit a bit faded) very good, almost new condition. Except for the strap that pulls the "ears" in. It's the elasticated Y shaped piece stitched to the sides of the roof which have frayed although do still work.

Is it possible to repair that? Obviously by an expert I mean.

I'm of the opinion that the ears are left well alone.

Carolyn · July 21, 2021, 12:13

I agree with Scotte. A twenty-year old vinyl roof doesn't need any extra stress imposed upon it. Nowt wrong with a couple of 'ears sticking out.

Chilli Girl · July 21, 2021, 12:17

I'm on my third 2 and they've all had ears, that's a lot of ears!

Roof is far happier with ears in my book too!

1979scotte · July 21, 2021, 12:58

Spent the first year or two trying to sort them out on my silver and honestly decided it did more harm than good.

SV-3 · July 21, 2021, 13:10

Quote from: Chilli Girl on July 21, 2021, 12:17I'm on my third 2 and they've all had ears, that's a lot of ears! Roof is far happier with ears in my book too!

I 'ear what you're saying.

ManInDandism · July 21, 2021, 13:10

I've got OCD. Whenever I see them sticking out on another car, I have restrain myself from going to tuck them in

Dev · July 21, 2021, 14:34

I use to sell a revised top strap that prevents the strap from snagging on the rails and unbuttoning.
It worked for many however as with all things the elastic on the top that buttons on to the strap wears and tears to where you will get the ears again. Some have tried to graft in new elastic by stitching it in without much success.

The best way to fold the top is to do it manually by guiding in the ears as the top comes down. Its not that much of an inconvenience and easy to do.

Another failure point is the rear glass adhesive becoming old and dry causing separation. If you are carful with your top and manually bring it down it will last longer. Soft convertible tops on all cars will require replacement eventually as they wear out.

fawtytoo · July 21, 2021, 14:54

I wish I hadn't asked now.

Call the midlife! · July 21, 2021, 15:35

Quote from: ManInDandism on July 21, 2021, 13:10I've got OCD. Whenever I see them sticking out on another car, I have restrain myself from going to tuck them in

A fellow owner (member of this forum) started to try and tuck mine in for me at an event once, closest I'd been to laying my hands on an individual in a long time...

1979scotte · July 21, 2021, 15:38

Quote from: Call the midlife! on July 21, 2021, 15:35
Quote from: ManInDandism on July 21, 2021, 13:10I've got OCD. Whenever I see them sticking out on another car, I have restrain myself from going to tuck them in
A fellow owner (member of this forum) started to try and tuck mine in for me at an event once, closest I'd been to laying my hands on an individual in a long time...

Wasn't me was it?
I did go through a stage of that.
It's well passed now.

Call the midlife! · July 21, 2021, 15:52

Quote from: 1979scotte on July 21, 2021, 15:38
Quote from: Call the midlife! on July 21, 2021, 15:35
Quote from: ManInDandism on July 21, 2021, 13:10I've got OCD. Whenever I see them sticking out on another car, I have restrain myself from going to tuck them in
A fellow owner (member of this forum) started to try and tuck mine in for me at an event once, closest I'd been to laying my hands on an individual in a long time...

Wasn't me was it?
I did go through a stage of that.
It's well passed now.

Nah, twasn't you, it's just a golden rule for me. Don't mess with someone else's ride. Or food...🤓

normanh · July 21, 2021, 17:11

I tried re-inforcing th elastic years back by sewing on new black elastic, wasn't successful as I had little good vinyl to work with and my 2 had a replacement Toyota roof install in 2006. As the elastic stretched and came away from the vinyl the press studs managed to get crushed in the roof folding mechanism. I simply took the strap out and it now resides in the glove box and I put up with ears now.

Norman

The Don of Croy · September 8, 2021, 09:58

I had issues with ears last year, and much of the year before, whereby the press studs kept releasing under tension.

I found that a tiny cable tie will thread through the press stud centre, and voila! No more ears.

Mine is 18 years old this year.