Hardtop and Engine Bay Lid Issue

[MrAndyP]

I bought a hardtop from a fellow member a little while ago. Shortly after fitting the hardtop I noticed that the rear right corner of the hard top (where it fixes to the car) clashes with the engine bay lid when the lid is opened. So when the hardtop is on I can't open the engine bay.

I checked to see if the chrome hardtop fitting brackets or the striker brackets were positioned incorrectly but everything looks to be ok.

The left hand side of the hardtop is ok and does not clash with the engine bay lid. You can visibly see that the hard top on the right hand side sits slightly further towards the back of the car than the left hand side.

With the hard top striker and windscreen fixing clamps open I can shove the right rear hand side of the hard top into the silver bracket on the car so the hardtop sits nicely and it no longer clashes with the engine lid. However, the hardtop clearly won't then line up with the front clamp above the windscreen meaning it's impossible to fix in this position.

Pic 1 & 2 is the right hand side where the problem is.
Pic 3 is the corresponding left hand side which is ok.

Has anyone else had a similar issue or got any ideas to resolve it? Thanks.

[Carolyn]

You have a problem with the clamps.

[StuC]

Is it me or does the rh clamp not look in the right place, relative to the shut line of the engine lid?

The only way I can think to describe it is..  it isnt fitting in the hole properly. Even with the engine lid lifted a little.

[andyroo104]

Are both the plates fitted to the correct sides ?

[Iain]

Are both the plates fitted to the correct sides ?

This would be my thinking aswell. The fitment is way off so something isnt aligned correctly.

[Ardent]

Pic 2 looks more sitting on it, rather than locating in it.

[Ardent]

With the rear positioned correctly. Any pics of the latch end?

There isn't a piece of plastic part of the latch that has become deformed and obstructing the latch latching by any chance?

[MrAndyP]

Thanks everyone for the input 👍🏻.

You have a problem with the clamps.

Do you mean the external hardtop clasp & plates or internal striker and windscreen clamps?

Is it me or does the rh clamp not look in the right place, relative to the shut line of the engine lid?

The only way I can think to describe it is..  it isnt fitting in the hole properly. Even with the engine lid lifted a little.

Yes, with the internal windscreen and striker clamps closed and in place, the external clasp does not sit correctly in the lug of the silver plate.

Are both the plates fitted to the correct sides ?

I was hopeful you'd be right with this! I just took them off and checked. Plate L on the passenger side and plate R on drivers side. So all good (sadly)...

Pic 2 looks more sitting on it, rather than locating in it.

It's definitely not sitting properly when all internal clamps are closed.

With all internal clamps open, I can shove the rear right hardtop clasp into the lug in the right hand mounting plate but the hardtop then doesn't line up with the windscreen fixing clamp.

With the rear positioned correctly. Any pics of the latch end?

There isn't a piece of plastic part of the latch that has become deformed and obstructing the latch latching by any chance?

I'll try and post a pic of this which sort of describes what I typed above.

The plastic inside the hardtop rear right clasp does look a bit squished. Not sure it's enough to have an affect like this though.

[MrAndyP]

With all internal clamps closed you can see the right hand side clasp in the first picture sitting further back towards the engine lid than the left hand side one in the second picture 🤔

[Carolyn]

@MrAndyP :

The internal clamps - probably the one ta the windscreen bent out of shape.

[MrAndyP]

@MrAndyP :

The internal clamps - probably the one at tthe windscreen bent out of shape.

Thanks Carolyn, I've not checked that. I'll check it out.

[fawtytoo]

With all internal clamps closed you can see the right hand side clasp in the first picture sitting further back towards the engine lid than the left hand side one in the second picture

The left one is in the correct position.

@MrAndyP :

The internal clamps - probably the one ta the windscreen bent out of shape.

Aren't they cast metal? I can't imagine how they'd bend.

My thoughts (and I sincerely hope I'm wrong) is that your car is twisted out of shape slightly. Has it ever been in an accident?

[Carolyn]

The left one is in the correct position.Aren't they cast metal? I can't imagine how they'd bend.

My thoughts (and I sincerely hope I'm wrong) is that your car is twisted out of shape slightly. Has it ever been in an accident?

The handles are cast but not the mechanism.

[Ardent]

The plastic inside the hardtop rear right clasp does look a bit squished. Not sure it's enough to have an affect like this though.

I was thinking more the front right windscreen clamp mech.

Are there any other members nearby where a swap and try could be tried out?

[Carolyn]

From what you've posted, I take it the top fits until you do up the clamps?

So it's not a distorted top or car but mis-aligned clamps??

[StuC]

From what you've posted, I take it the top fits until you do up the clamps?

So it's not a distorted top or car but mis-aligned clamps??

Inclined to agree @Carolyn

@MrAndyP can we get a shot(or your feedback) of the HT on:
1, without clamps done up
2, with front clamps only done up
3, with rear clamps only

Might help diagnose which clamp is the issue? 🤷�♂️