Hi all, the pin for the top cover strap behind the drivers side seat has lost its nut. Does anyone know how involved it is to remove the rear molding to reattach the pin? I suspect it's hard as hell. Should I take it to a body shop, or a custom installer?

 

The stud in mounted on the plastic panel. (At least the one I constantly try to pull to open the fuel door. )

I watched most of my roof replacement and all the panels behind the seats came out. They were just screwed in place. Should be simple to remove the panel and affix a nut on the stud. I'd have a nut (and Locktite) in hand before removing them in case the nut isn't on the floor back there. DIY, I doubt there are too many body shops with S2000 experience or with less than $40/hour labor charges.

Use of the cover is rare in my experience as the car gets dirty and very hot when parked with the roof down. My roof goes down/up several times a day and is up when parked, even in my garage. The cover does add a finished look though.

-- Chuck

 

Thanks! I'll take a closer look at how that rear panel is affixed and give it a shot if it looks doable. I recall it could be removed for custom behind-the-seat subwoofers / speakers. I'm on year 20, original owner, and not too many things have gone wrong, but this one bugs me. I don't drive if there's even a hint of rain, which up here in Seattle pretty much makes this a garage queen. I really do prefer how it looks with the soft top cover in place, and I think it also decreases wind noise on the freeway quite a bit. Plus, the OCD.

Your comment on leaving it closed as much as possible rings true, though, since the other two issues I have with the interior are almost certainly exposure-related (peeling finish around the gearshift and shrunken leather on the armrest).