Updated With Images: 3-6-03 - 7PM
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The roof mechanism has a "rough cut" on one of the arms that when closed caused the rough part of the metal of eventually (like only after 6 months) wear through the top and then the tough pull side to side pulls it open, causing it to get worse as you pop the top up and down.

Granted in Florida I use the top alot, but after under 8000 miles, top slit on its own. You may want to put the top 1/2 way down and feel the mechanism for rough spots on the metal and/or check with your dealer on what can be done about it.

Just a heads up warning, don't want your top to go later.

UPDATE
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1st off - The dealer is WONDERFUL! They are getting a new mechanism and cloth and having a convertable top expert look at what is going on. Helpful all the way. Honda is great.

If this was real common, we'd hear it all over this site. I think my passenger side just had a rough edge in just the wrong place.

Images
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Included below are photo's that should help locate the bar to check for a rough edge and an approx location to look for the problem on the top.

Here is an image of the rip from the ouside, close up:
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Here is an image that shows the rip from the outside, with the top open only a few inches (which pulls out the rip to help it show up.)
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Here is an image of how far the top is down in the next images:
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Here is an image of where to find it from the inside:
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Here is an image that provides details on which bar seems to line up
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Hope this helps.

BTW: I LOVE MY S2K! Yea! Weeeeeeeee. More fun than a backyard swing! Driving is fun!!!!!!

 

You have any pics of the section of mechanism in question?

 

If I understand correctly, the wear occurs from pressure/vibration from a part of the mechanism while the top is in a 'closed' position. A picture would be extremely helpful, so that several of us 2002 and 2003 owners can inspect our own tops and report back. As far as I can tell, at 9800 miles and almost exactly one year of ownership, my top is in intact condition.

 

There are some pictures in a post a few months back.. Do a search for "wear holes" and you might find it. So far no holes in my top...

 

9k, multiple top up/down daily. so far nothing noticible......

 

is this just for the 2002 year or should i worry about this with my 03 model

 

It sounds like a manufacturing defect and could happen to any year S2000

 

Main Topic updated with images, see it for more details.

 

Interesting. Now I know what that wear mark is caused by.. I better get it checked out.

Mine is a 2001 by the way.

Thanks for the info!

 

Thanks for the heads up gewroo!
Nice job with the pics also!
I have an 03 model and the edge in question on the passenger side is actually smoother than the driver's side but no "sharp" or ragged edge there either.
Perhaps they have fixed this problem for the 03 models or as nzaizar has suggested its an intermittent manufacturing defect.