MX-5 style hood
Discussion
There is no problem with the hood in principle, but I struggle to get it back up once it has been down. Which means for me if there is any possibility it might rain I can't have the hood down as I can't get it back up on my own.
I used to own a MX-5 and it was so easy to get the hood up and down on that, so I thought it would be nice to have the same sort of hood on the S.
I used to own a MX-5 and it was so easy to get the hood up and down on that, so I thought it would be nice to have the same sort of hood on the S.
dlspoo said:
There is no problem with the hood in principle, but I struggle to get it back up once it has been down. Which means for me if there is any possibility it might rain I can't have the hood down as I can't get it back up on my own.
I used to own a MX-5 and it was so easy to get the hood up and down on that, so I thought it would be nice to have the same sort of hood on the S.
Sorry for being nosy, but why cant you put the hood up on your own..........? I find it really easy?
Put the rear section up with only one strut locked into place on the passenge side. Put the panels in place locking in at the front screen and resting on the top of the rear section. Unlock the strut, slot in the panels and lock back into place, then lock the strut on the other side, job done...?
Or is there something specific thats stopping you.........?
Mike
Must admit the idea of a fully folding hood had crossed my mind too but dare not mention it on here for fear of being spat at or poked in the eye by any pure-ists that maybe reading..
Not wanting to criticise Mike having not tried it this way but I find your method a tad strange. I personally have no problems using the method in the owners hand book however I have not met Louise if she is ickle like my other half I can understand why she may have problems.
Carl.
>> Edited by ceejay73 on Wednesday 3rd August 18:13
Not wanting to criticise Mike having not tried it this way but I find your method a tad strange. I personally have no problems using the method in the owners hand book however I have not met Louise if she is ickle like my other half I can understand why she may have problems.
Carl.
>> Edited by ceejay73 on Wednesday 3rd August 18:13
I think the MX5 design is dramatically easier to use than the TVR version, and if somebody managed to produce a workable version for a decent price I suspect there would be lots of takers.
By the way, the easiest approach I find for putting the roof up is to fit both panels into the hoop with the hoop fully down (so the panels stand up vertically), then swing the whole thing forward. It's a lot easier than it probably sounds, and means you can sort out the clips etc to ensure they don't get caught. Couple of strategic bashes to get both panels engaged at the front, push the rear stays up and engage both front clips, and you're sorted.
By the way, the easiest approach I find for putting the roof up is to fit both panels into the hoop with the hoop fully down (so the panels stand up vertically), then swing the whole thing forward. It's a lot easier than it probably sounds, and means you can sort out the clips etc to ensure they don't get caught. Couple of strategic bashes to get both panels engaged at the front, push the rear stays up and engage both front clips, and you're sorted.
I took the roof off daily on my S3 whenever it was dry, never had a problem. I could get it back on in around 45 seconds on a good day.
Besides an MX 5 style hood would not be cheap as I assume the person who sorts out the prototype would want to get their money back? I speak from experience when I did the dashes I did recieve a few emails saying I was charging too much, ripping people off etc.... and I never actually made my money back on them. I can only imagine what would happen with a roof which would cost a lot more than £85.
The fabric alone would be pretty pricey.
Besides an MX 5 style hood would not be cheap as I assume the person who sorts out the prototype would want to get their money back? I speak from experience when I did the dashes I did recieve a few emails saying I was charging too much, ripping people off etc.... and I never actually made my money back on them. I can only imagine what would happen with a roof which would cost a lot more than £85.
The fabric alone would be pretty pricey.
Wildfire said:
I took the roof off daily on my S3 whenever it was dry, never had a problem. I could get it back on in around 45 seconds on a good day.
Besides an MX 5 style hood would not be cheap as I assume the person who sorts out the prototype would want to get their money back? I speak from experience when I did the dashes I did recieve a few emails saying I was charging too much, ripping people off etc.... and I never actually made my money back on them. I can only imagine what would happen with a roof which would cost a lot more than £85.
The fabric alone would be pretty pricey.
no e mails of complaint from me though..... I thought the dash and switch panel were a bargain and it is certainly something I couldn't have made myself...
some people really are t
rs if they don't want topay the price then don't.... but sending e mails is not on IMHOI am not that ickle, but I have no strength in my arms. Which means I can't even push the struts back into place, and those so called nicely placed bangs to get the panels in mean breaking a few bones in my hands.
I was thinking of replacing the struts to see if that would make it easier to push them back into place as the ones I have are old and stiff.
Oh well, luckily there are better things than going topless!!
I was thinking of replacing the struts to see if that would make it easier to push them back into place as the ones I have are old and stiff.
Oh well, luckily there are better things than going topless!!
dlspoo said:
I am not that ickle, but I have no strength in my arms. Which means I can't even push the struts back into place, and those so called nicely placed bangs to get the panels in mean breaking a few bones in my hands.
I was thinking of replacing the struts to see if that would make it easier to push them back into place as the ones I have are old and stiff.
Oh well, luckily there are better things than going topless!!
Ah,, sorry didn't see that you were a girl (no sexist comments intended) my girlfriend could never snap the struts back on the S3 or the Griff.
I'd be a bit wary of slackenting off the struts, maybe taking them off and lubricating them may help. If you slacken them off you run the risk of leaks + the dreaded "flying roof", the panels taking off at high speeds. Very expensive and difficult to replace, not to mention dangerous.
Take one off, grease it up and make sure they it's moving properly. Then the other. Trying to make sure that the lugs engage properly is essential.
Maybe switching to the Griff style struts may help as you have to drill new holes for them???
Yeah the some of the mails were not that polite, one of the reasons I stopped advertising them.
One of the struts on the old s was particualry stiff but I found 3in1 oil loosened it up. It might be worth trying to find a different position to stand/sit in and get both hands ont he strut when locking it; if you can find a way of getting both hands on it, you might find it easier. I've always gone for the place the sections in the hoop them swing them into position approach, but the other method suggested here would probably be easier, (if a little slow compared to what I'm used to). Give it a go, shame to loose out on topless driving because of the hassle of getting the lid back on..
I've got some sketches at home for a design for a soft fabric replacement section for the hard sections in the middle, (but keeping the hoop), but have never got around to fabricating one to see if it works. Must give it some more thought..
I've got some sketches at home for a design for a soft fabric replacement section for the hard sections in the middle, (but keeping the hoop), but have never got around to fabricating one to see if it works. Must give it some more thought..
Kevin had someone working on a design a few months back,then he sold his S so don't know how far things progressed.
I have to say I find the design less than perfect and would seriously look at an alternative.
They keep the chassis nice and solid when they are on but they take up all the boot beside the 'spacesaver' spare when off and are so easy to damage.
though I do need to make a new bag for mine!
I have to say I find the design less than perfect and would seriously look at an alternative.
They keep the chassis nice and solid when they are on but they take up all the boot beside the 'spacesaver' spare when off and are so easy to damage.
though I do need to make a new bag for mine!
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