Alloy Roof Struts

[ro_torque]

I managed to source some alloy roof struts this week. I measured them (same as length as the old ones) and fitted them. The seem to have very slightly raised the roof. The roof is raised about 0.5 cm.

Any suggestions:

1) Why this should be since they are the same length?
2) How I can correct the problem?

Cheers

[pantani201]

I fitted a set of alloy struts to my S and the difference is in the hole centres. It is necessary to drill new holes in the rear bulkhead so that the struts fit properly.

[Hoover33]

Thats true..... new holes need to be drilled to fit ally struts from Griff/Chim

[Shnozz]

I found that I only needed to drill new holes a few mm down from the original. Having said that, I wanted the roof to be a tighter fit and it now sits lovely and taught with the rear screen straight, unlike with those ugly black struts.

[bridgdav]

ro_torque said:

2) How I can correct the problem?

It might be easier to elongate the holes in the roof struts..!!

[gw1]

Where did you get the struts and how much? if you don't mind me asking.

[ro_torque]

Thanks guys. As I thought - Blast!

Dave not so sure I want to cut into the alloy struts

They look fantastic.

But it was a moment of madness.

Cheers

PS Graham YHM

[Shnozz]

just drill 2 new holes in the rear bulkhead 2mm's down from the originals. Its a 5 minute job.

[ro_torque]

Shnozz said:

just drill 2 new holes in the rear bulkhead 2mm's down from the originals. Its a 5 minute job.

Sorry to be a lard-head. But when you say 2mm's down - Do you mean drill a new hole under the original hole with a gap of 2mm between the two holes? Or do you mean elongate the hole by 2mm? I can visualise what needs to happen just don't want to screw-up (oops!)

[Pies]

ro_torque said:

Shnozz said: just drill 2 new holes in the rear bulkhead 2mm's down from the originals. Its a 5 minute job. drill a new hole under the original hole with a gap of 2mm between the two holes?

[Shnozz]

as Pies says - drill a new hole a couple of mm's beneath the original - the alloy struts are just a tiny bit longer. You will probably find that, as with all things TVR, there is no consistancy and on ours I ended up leaving the drivers side one bolted through the original hole in the end and the passenger one about 2mm lower than the original. Try doing one side, make sure that the stay clips into position firmly, try the roof on the car, see if the other side needs re-drilling too - if you make the holes only a few mm's down the base of the roof stay will cover both the original hole and the new one so you need not worry too much if you drill an unnecessary hole and then revert to using the original anyway...

sorry mate - if I'd have known someone else was doing the job I would have taken a couple of step by step photos - I have been doing it for most of the work I have done on the S but not this task. Now if you are planning on changing the head gasket I have about 50 step by step photos!

[V8Smith]

I found the safest way is to have one of the old original struts locked into place on one side then bolt the new alloy strut to the roof on the other and lock it into place keeping the rear screen the same tension as the other side. then make a mark where the hole should go, drill hole, bolt thru and repeat the other side, thats what I did and mine are fine. Like Snozz says all tivs are different so this is the only surefire way of getting it anywhere near right, I found anyway.

Mike

[ro_torque]

V8Smith said:

Like Snozz says all tivs are different so this is the only surefire way of getting it anywhere near right, I found anyway. Mike

Thanks Mike, Snozz et al. Based on the above received wisdom I'd decided to attack this challenge in exactly that way tomorrow. I’m grateful for all the above contributions.

Cheers

Ro

[Shnozz]

good man - i am off to spain in an hour so unable to advise, but let us know how you get on.

[ro_torque]

Job done!

A little too high on the passanger side but nothing that can't be gently persuded later - when the rain stops.

Cheers

Ro

[shnozz]

i cant believe I have logged on from (rainy) Spain just to check your progress

nicely done sir. pat on the back to yourself and a sense of satisfaction i hope. The first of many DIY jobs once you convince yourself you can do it.

[ro_torque]

shnozz said:

i cant believe I have logged on from (rainy) Spain just to check your progress nicely done sir. pat on the back to yourself and a sense of satisfaction i hope. The first of many DIY jobs once you convince yourself you can do it.

Yes I know what you mean. Don't want to take on too much so that it's off the road for too long though.

Cheers

Ro