Rear roof section removal

[vestas]

The rear screen has got some stitching missing and I have found a local upholsterer who will sew it back together for me for a very minimal fee. The problem is however that he wants me to remove the roof section totally and take it to him. He said he did a griff once before and it was a nightmare to get the rear section off.
Anyone any tips / done it before? etc. I checked my Heath Bible but there wasnt an explanation of how to do it.

Cheers
Mestas

[Ballistic Banana]

From what i understand there are only four allen type bolts that hold the rear roof on, not sure how you get to them though and where they are situated.

BB

[steviep]

My '92 400 has 3 studs (not allen key heads) accessed from within the boot - one in the centre and one over each wheel. The 'roll hoop' rotates around 2 allen key headed bolts...but I guess you can see that bit The whole thing then lifts off...with a little encouragement. Takes about 20 mins in total

[vestas]

Sorry guys I didnt make it clear, he wants the material removed from the frame so he can get it in the sewing machine i.e. peel the material off the frame. Any ideas, is it worth it? Where can I get a new one?

[Ballistic Banana]

Nope i think that would mean unstiching more(around the hoop) wouldnt it.
On my S there was a bit of stiching missing and i got some waterproof cotton and followed the old holes that were in the cloth and window, done the job.

BB

[jigs]

BB you obviously did embroidery classes.

[lee02]

On 500 there nuts to undo in boot this will allow to lift rear of hood from body. Rear ones are easy but there is one either side near front are very hard to undo, but can be done.To remove hood from frame remove seal it just pushes on and carefully peel back it is held on with evostick BE CAREFULL!! it rips very easily
do same on rear clamping strip.If rear screen is misty change it it should cost no more than £50.If you rip cloth ring round your local upholsters it is the same as used on merc's should cost £ 150 to buy enough to cover rear and top panel.Although it does not fad so i have some spare i did not bother replacing top panel
Make me an offer if anybody wants it.email:[e-mail]

[simpo one]

The chap who had my old 4.0 before me said he'd replaced the plastic bit by hand, himself, in situ, by following the old holes. It looked OK to me.

[silverback mike]

Get in the boot mike.
Undo the 3 10 mm bolts,
peel back the rear bit,
undo the roll bar,
remove the metal struts,
pull it off.

Then, when you have peeled the roof off, wake your misses at midnight, get her to help you stick the new middle roof section on, finishing at 0330.

Phone your mate, who willingly accepts the challenge to stick, push pull and fit a new roof. 400 fags and 200 cups of tea later, looks lovely. (So far)

Thats right folks, he woke his mrs up at gone midnight with his old roof lining stuck to his hands...A priceless comedy moment, good on you mike, and sorry for stitching you up.!!!!!
Mike. (your mate)...(with skinned knuckles)

[griff430]

Silverback_Mike,

What tools did you use to get at the three nuts in the boot? The roof material on my 4.3 doesn't fit flush to the body of the car, and while it doesn't let rain in, it often leaks if I give the car a thorough clean. And besides that, it spoils the lines of a tidy car. I've tried all sorts of socket set extension pieces to get to the bolts and adjust the hood material, but so far, I've not been able to reach the nuts properly.

Thanks,

Dan.

[vestas]

Hi Dan,
Mike(silverback) here, currently sticking the final bits of the roof on with Mike (vestas).
The 3 bolts were flat headed bolts, with a 10mm nut underneath.
You have to undo the nuts first (may need an extended socket set which halfords do in a set of 4, then push them up taking the rear of the roof section off as they are sealed within the material.
Great if you are a gynacologist but a nightmare if you have normal sized hands.
Be careful not to rip the material though.
Cheers,
Mike and Mike. (Expert roof fitters!!)

>> Edited by vestas on Friday 23 May 18:56