Under Top Elastic Strap Repair
 

You guys may have seen Modifry's convertible top fix (Modifry page).

More Modifry install pics here

The elastic straps get old and weak pretty quick (mine is a 2003). If it gets weak enough the top won't go down all the way -- but someone pointed ot recently that there is a danger that the frame hoop will stick up and break the latches!

Anyhow.. I decided to pursue a fix on my own. I have some industrial elastic samples still coming, but I bought several feet to try from Strapworks (here), and was happy enough with it to go ahead with the project.

My goal was to do a factory level job with better elastic if possible. As a secondary goal I would have liked to change the rivets for screws to make the next time easier, but that goal was not achieved in this pass.

I have a right angle drill that made drilling the back rivets out possible (I don't think you could do this with a standard drill).
<added 6/2010>
The drill works well, but you have to deal with the shavings in the seat. When I did this for a second time and used a sharpened putty knife to slice the head of the rivets off. A sharp wood chisel would be another option. You just tap the chisel with a hammer to slice the head off (Thanks for the tip Chris!) Be sure to place something between the rivet and the top you don't want to slice through the top if you slip. </end add>

Also I had some trouble tracking down rivets, as 1/8 dia. are too small and 3/16 are too big to go through the factory mounts without drilling. I found 5/32 dia. at Sears they weren't expensive and replace the factory rivets without further modification. 5mm would likely be the correct size if you were pursuing screws, but you need a very low rounded head to keep from damaging the elastic at the front where the bands wrap over the heads.

Added -> When I attached the first strap I noticed the flat head of the new rivets didn't sit completely flat against the round bar, so I used small hammer to tap rivets down. Looking at the second side, there were small flattened areas on the top and bottom edges of the original rivets, making it appear this was the same method used by the factory.

When I got the old strapping off, I was very surprised at how bad they were. The extent of the wear was not evident when they were installed. You could see daylight through parts of the straps when they were removed. It has been suggested that these are only good for two years or so. Mine were at 5-1/2 years and looking weak. You may want to take a piece of white paper and slip behind your straps to see how they look, or open the top about half way and shine a light at the back side.

When you get the old straps off (don't cut them), you use them as a pattern to measure and get hole placement for the new straps. Lay the straps out flat and measure them relaxed. The holes on my straps measured approximately 11" center to center relaxed, but it was hard to tell because they were so deformed and curling.

I used a hollow punch to cut holes in the new strapping. I recommend this approach as it did great job and left clean holes. I don't think you would could achieve this with a drill or awl. After cutting and punching I used a match to prevent the ends from coming unraveled.

I placed cardboard between the top and the ribs while drilling to ensure that if I slipped I didn't drill through the roof. I placed a tarp over the seat to catch the aluminum shavings while drilling. The new elastic is slightly thicker than the old so I was unable to double the ends -- but since that doesn't seem to be where the wear occurs, and this is thicker strapping, I am not too concerned. Without doubling the ends, you need more like 12 inches of material (each strap) rather than 14-1/2".

Key points:
- Straps are approx 1-1/2 by 14-1/2 ea. relaxed (need approx 20% stretch). Strapworks.com (here),
- 5/32 X 1/4 rivets (Sears, or assortment at AutoZone)
- 5/23 drill bit (to remove old rivets)
- 1/8"(?) hollow punch (harbor freight page)

I will let you know this hold up over time, but I am very pleased with the job overall. If you want to try and do your top I am happy to help, If enough folks are interested we can line up a mod day to do several.

BTW -- Rob I bought a new rivet gun ;-)
Note how thin the elastic looks in the light...
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...4340ec9e4d.jpg
New elastic next to old:
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...389a65cc9a.jpg
Angle headed drill (needed to get to back rivits):
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...bf5c0e8e31.jpg
Hollow punch (used to make holes in new elastic):
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...5a43efe050.jpg

The Elastic dry rots quick in the South...

I've actually had a 07 that had weak elastic and punctured 2 soft tops because the bow wasn't folding correctly all the time.

Pics added

Great write-up! :thumbup: My straps are in pretty bad shape, so I will need to do something soon.

I checked mine yesterday, while I was giving it a quick cold weather cleaning, and they are horrible!!
I think I need to do them soon!!

:thumbup: very nice John!

Good stuff, John. Thanks for the post!

I know this thread has been dead for a while but I just wanted to say a big thanks! I'm about to install my top this weekend and noticed that my straps are toast! The elasticity of them is pretty much non-existant at this point. I freaked out when I noticed that the top doesn't come with new straps...doesn't matter now, I have all the info I could possibly need to fab up some new ones!
Thanks again buddy :)

WOW!! Someone from SoCal is lurkin in Bama!

lol...Just passing through. Hello my down south brothers :hello:

If it means anything, Modifry straps use staples that go into the hollow rivets. Mine hold up pretty well. I may eventually try to make my own and replace the rivets.

I thought about going with the Modifry straps but since I'm replacing the top and everything is going to be easily accesible, why the hell not just make my own for a few bucks? ;)

Thanks though, I appreciate the input!

Make sure you read up on where holes form and fix them before they come back

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/9605/22047642xi6.jpg

Thanks for the heads up, I'll definitely be on the look for any signs of wear, especially now that my top is going to be brand new :)

By the way, what kind of material is that that's attached to the frame? I never had issues in that area, I'll keep an eye out now though.

So I found 2 different black 2in wide elastic straps at the fabric store. My question is, which of the 2 should I go with? One of them is very stretchy and the other is beefier and doesn't stretch nearly as much. I'm guessing I should go with the less stretchy one as they probably won't wear as fast. Any suggestions?

Several of us were discussing this at Kermits gathing today. I thought if there was enough interest I might hold a mod day at my place to replace straps if there is enough inerest.

Anyone interested?

wish i could take part :sadwave: but thanks for posting this. mine is totally worn out and needs replacing!

I'd come if the date is right...

Not that tool handy so I bought the Modifry replacements. For $20, you can't really go wrong.

i would be interested. i had a little tugging match with mine on the way home from work the other day and they have def lost their snap.

I'm definitely interested! Mine are gone. I need a new top while I'm at it too. I might as well not have a top on my car, with all the holes it has in it. Rane, if you come, I could detail your car too, if it is okay with John. I don't live too far from him if something goes wrong with his place. Thanks for the write up John! I just now noticed it, but I need to replace mine immediately.

I orderred some elastic strap material. I'll see what I can do on dates, stay tuned...

wooo

Elastic strap material is here, I have enough to do about 4-5 cars.

I'll set up a poll to determine the best date for everyone

Thanks for this thread guys!!! I went to joanne's and bought some 2" straps!

Looks like I have the Saturday the 13th of April open. Would that work?

Works for me, thanks John!

D

does anybody have an exact measurement for the length of the strap ? Thanks for any help.

No, but you don’t need much. Roughly 14.5” each.