S2 rear roof gap

[deltashad]

I recently purchased a 2007 Elise with the short tail roof.

Not sure if I have put the roof back on incorrectly but when I'm driving above 60mph there's a lot of wind noise (kind of expected), but also a gap at the rear, the roof is lifting and you can see the sky.

Is this normal?

[otolith]

Definitely not!

[simpo555]

Not normal. You probably haven't locked the rods into their correct positions. Otherwise you have a dodgy cable. Its a little bit down to practice if nobody showed you how to put the roof on correctly. Re-read your manual and follow instuctions carefully. Once you've got it once it just seems so easy. Bit like riding a bike.

Good luck with your car and don't forget, we always like to see the photos

[kambites]

Each side-bar should have two lugs on each end, one fixed and one that retracts when you push on the thumb thingies. These should all be located into grooves in the top of the A- and B-pillars. Running between the two side bars should be two steel cables which should sit tight in the grooves between the water seal and the plastic/metal of the roll-bar cover and windscreen frame.

If the lugs aren't seated properly, you haven't fitted the roof correctly. If the lugs are seated correctly and the cables are loose then your roof either needs adjusting or is knackered.

[Loudman]

I'd check the cable. Mine snapped once and it was quite fiddly to replace, if it was done 'in a rush' it would be lack and allow a gap. They have an adjuster thread that needs to be tailored right.

[deltashad]

simpo555 said:

Not normal. You probably haven't locked the rods into their correct positions. Otherwise you have a dodgy cable. Its a little bit down to practice if nobody showed you how to put the roof on correctly. Re-read your manual and follow instuctions carefully. Once you've got it once it just seems so easy. Bit like riding a bike.

Good luck with your car and don't forget, we always like to see the photos

I have some photos of the car here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I left the Lotus outside the pub tonight so cant go out to check the wire. Think I may have stretched it at some point putting it back on, probably the first time I attempted it.
The roof has been on and off a good few times now and still not right, I'm doing the lug thing properly.... I think... Tomorrow I need to investigate.

[kambites]

I think you'd struggle to stretch the wire - it's pretty tough. More likely it's snapped or somehow gone out of adjustment.

[deltashad]

Thanks guys, It stopped raining yesterday and I was able to have a look at it.

The adjuster had somehow backed itself right off and wasn't attached!!

It's now far quieter and you can't see the sky.

Thanks again...

[kambites]

Glad to hear that it wasn't a wallet-emptying experience.