Replaced Soft Top on NA, but it doesn't fit well and leaks
Discussion
I replaced the soft top on my Mk1 Mx-5 last weekend. It rained heavily this morning and I've found out that the new roof leaks quite badly. It definitely doesn't fit as well as the old roof, so I'm not sure if it's got a bent frame or the soft top isn't from a Mk1/2/2.5.
I've posted a video on a popular video website with my username and Mazda Mx-5 in the description.
If anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated. Luckily I still have the old roof, it didn't leak but does have a cracked rear screen. If I can't sort this out quickly, I think I'll have to put that one back on.
I've posted a video on a popular video website with my username and Mazda Mx-5 in the description.
If anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated. Luckily I still have the old roof, it didn't leak but does have a cracked rear screen. If I can't sort this out quickly, I think I'll have to put that one back on.
What's going on with the frame inside at the tops of the windows? It looks like its not unfolded completely and the bars are not in line? eg at 0.52 it looks like the bars are not aligning with each other, and that a large piece of the rubber sealing strip is missing from one section (the green bit in my pic) on both sides?
What happens if you push up on that hinge at the window tops where the red arrow is - does the roof raise more and the bars straighten out? Maybe the front locking clips are adjusted way too far out to pull it all into place? Judging from the video the front section is not closed properly against the windscreen frame , and those side hinged pieces are somehow sitting lower than the window glass which shouldn't happen, they should lift up above the glass as you open the roof and then drop down neatly onto it when you close the roof.
Are all the horizontal bars inside correctly positioned and fixed to the fabric? Maybe compare it directly to the old roof and see whats different?
The side bars should look like this when fully closed and in-line:
http://www.autolinkmx5.com/ekmps/shops/autolinkuk/...
What happens if you push up on that hinge at the window tops where the red arrow is - does the roof raise more and the bars straighten out? Maybe the front locking clips are adjusted way too far out to pull it all into place? Judging from the video the front section is not closed properly against the windscreen frame , and those side hinged pieces are somehow sitting lower than the window glass which shouldn't happen, they should lift up above the glass as you open the roof and then drop down neatly onto it when you close the roof.
Are all the horizontal bars inside correctly positioned and fixed to the fabric? Maybe compare it directly to the old roof and see whats different?
The side bars should look like this when fully closed and in-line:
http://www.autolinkmx5.com/ekmps/shops/autolinkuk/...
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 2nd June 19:26
An additional thought - did you put back all the bolts at the bottom of the main hoop? If not, it might be pivoting around the bolts rather than being fixed securely at the base. I don't recall how many bolts are down there, I am guessing at least 2 per side?
EDIT : from this video at 2:48 - 3 bolts per side.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo1XTGS6oHQ
EDIT : from this video at 2:48 - 3 bolts per side.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo1XTGS6oHQ
Thanks for the reply Jim. I also wasn't sure if the frame was 'unfolded' correctly. I've tried leaning back in the car and putting my foot on those bars, but still couldn't straighten them out. I do have the rubber seals, but they need re-securing. When it rained they were both present.
I'm also suspicious of the front locking clips. The ones on the replaced roof wouldn't lock, so I swapped them with the old roof. I imagine it's fairly straightforward to adjust them?
I may open up the old roof and see what's different. They're most definitely different though. I think the original may be for mk1 car, but the replacement one may be from a mk2 car? The replacement roof came with the car when I bought it, so who knows where it came from.
Regarding your comments about the bolts on the frame support, there are meant to be 3 bolts down there. When taking the old frame off, there were only two. So, I secured the replacement frame in the same manner too. Top and bottom only. I'll take the trim off and make sure there's no issues there.
I'm also suspicious of the front locking clips. The ones on the replaced roof wouldn't lock, so I swapped them with the old roof. I imagine it's fairly straightforward to adjust them?
I may open up the old roof and see what's different. They're most definitely different though. I think the original may be for mk1 car, but the replacement one may be from a mk2 car? The replacement roof came with the car when I bought it, so who knows where it came from.
Regarding your comments about the bolts on the frame support, there are meant to be 3 bolts down there. When taking the old frame off, there were only two. So, I secured the replacement frame in the same manner too. Top and bottom only. I'll take the trim off and make sure there's no issues there.
on a mk1 the front clips are fairly easy to adjust - under the plastic handles are greeny/brass coloured hex nuts that are held still by a springy metal clip on either side, just twist that hex nut to tighten or loosen the locking jaws, it's pretty obvious once you see it.
If you couldn't even force the frame straight above the door glass that suggests that the entire mechanism may be tilted forwards too far, ie. that it needs the front to be opened even further below the windscreen before the side bars align? Maybe worth taking off the seatbelt pillar trim again and checking that you have those 3 bolts in the right places, perhaps remove all but 1 per side and alter the frame angle and see if it unfolds then or becomes clearer whether why it wont unfold.
TBH I thought mk1 and 2 roofs were interchangeable, but i could well be wrong about that and I've no idea how you would tell one from the other having only ever owned mk1s.
If you couldn't even force the frame straight above the door glass that suggests that the entire mechanism may be tilted forwards too far, ie. that it needs the front to be opened even further below the windscreen before the side bars align? Maybe worth taking off the seatbelt pillar trim again and checking that you have those 3 bolts in the right places, perhaps remove all but 1 per side and alter the frame angle and see if it unfolds then or becomes clearer whether why it wont unfold.
TBH I thought mk1 and 2 roofs were interchangeable, but i could well be wrong about that and I've no idea how you would tell one from the other having only ever owned mk1s.
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 3rd June 09:20
So, I took the replacement frame off the car this evening and laid them both out in the garage. Sadly, the replacement frame is bent which explains why it didn't sit properly and leaked.
It looks like I'll have to put the old frame and roof on. I just don't know what to do about the taped up plastic window. It looks a bit crap... It is Summer though and I do try to drive with the top down as much as possible.
It looks like I'll have to put the old frame and roof on. I just don't know what to do about the taped up plastic window. It looks a bit crap... It is Summer though and I do try to drive with the top down as much as possible.
I take it there's no way you can bend the frame back into shape? Depends what part is bent I suppose.
The rear screen on my first mk1 cracked and split too, and had gaffer tape on, agreed it's not a nice look
I've fitted a new roof fabric to mk1s twice - it's a tricky job but doable yourself, you just need a rivet gun and other basic tools. It helps to have a helper too. The first one I did outside on workmates and was awkward, second one I did inside on a large table and it was easier.
The rear screen on my first mk1 cracked and split too, and had gaffer tape on, agreed it's not a nice look
I've fitted a new roof fabric to mk1s twice - it's a tricky job but doable yourself, you just need a rivet gun and other basic tools. It helps to have a helper too. The first one I did outside on workmates and was awkward, second one I did inside on a large table and it was easier.
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