Hardtop Install
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Palatine, IL
Hardtop Install
First I want to say thanks to Jeff at Ganely Honda (a board sponsor) for his help in getting me everything I needed to put my hardtop on. I bought my top from someone and didn't have any of the mounting hardware and he was able to hook me up with a very reasonable price. Further, he offered his help if I ran into any complications during the install. If I need any other OEM parts or accessories, for sure he'll be getting my business, just a great guy to work with.
Secondly, I have a question. During my install, everything went just fine until I came to the part where I actually put the top on the car. The top was adjusted to fit the guy's car I bought it from, so I needed to make adjustments. I took off the interior trim pieces on the top and loosened the 2 bolts that secure the mounting pin to the bracket. Then when I lined up the top on the car I tightened the bolts thinking it would be all lined up and easy to remove and reinstall. That wasn't the case as it seemed it wasn't lined up properly. Well now I have the top on the car thinking that maybe it needs to settle in a bit? Any advice on making adjustments? Thanks!
Secondly, I have a question. During my install, everything went just fine until I came to the part where I actually put the top on the car. The top was adjusted to fit the guy's car I bought it from, so I needed to make adjustments. I took off the interior trim pieces on the top and loosened the 2 bolts that secure the mounting pin to the bracket. Then when I lined up the top on the car I tightened the bolts thinking it would be all lined up and easy to remove and reinstall. That wasn't the case as it seemed it wasn't lined up properly. Well now I have the top on the car thinking that maybe it needs to settle in a bit? Any advice on making adjustments? Thanks!
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 199
Likes: 1
From: Torrance
The Quarter Panel interior trim on the top hides the adjustable latch. There are 5 bolts on each side. Two for horizontal (centerline) and three for verticle (height).
When you put the roof on for the first time you should make sure that all 5 bolts are loose on each side.
When you put the roof on, keep moving the rear pins so that they go into the receivers in the body. Then latch the front latches. The front latches makes the centerline of the car match the centerline of the roof.
Now from the outside push the rear part of the roof from side to side a little to center the rear. Then tighten the bolts that will hold the centerline.
Next latch and unlatch the rear pins a couple times. Make sure the height adjusting bolts are loose. I think the spec is to have about 8mm of gap on the outside (between the roof and quarter panel) when the latches are locked into place. Should have about 14 mm of gap when they are unlocked. If it is too tight it will be hard to latch and will smash the weatherstrip on the bottom of the rear glass. If it is too loose you may have air leaks.
The first time I did this it took several attempts to get it just right so I could take on and off the roof with out having to push on the rear of the roof to get the pins to go into the receiver with little effort. I even drove the car a couple days with the inside trim not installed just to feel comfortable with the install.
HTH.
Woodwork
When you put the roof on for the first time you should make sure that all 5 bolts are loose on each side.
When you put the roof on, keep moving the rear pins so that they go into the receivers in the body. Then latch the front latches. The front latches makes the centerline of the car match the centerline of the roof.
Now from the outside push the rear part of the roof from side to side a little to center the rear. Then tighten the bolts that will hold the centerline.
Next latch and unlatch the rear pins a couple times. Make sure the height adjusting bolts are loose. I think the spec is to have about 8mm of gap on the outside (between the roof and quarter panel) when the latches are locked into place. Should have about 14 mm of gap when they are unlocked. If it is too tight it will be hard to latch and will smash the weatherstrip on the bottom of the rear glass. If it is too loose you may have air leaks.
The first time I did this it took several attempts to get it just right so I could take on and off the roof with out having to push on the rear of the roof to get the pins to go into the receiver with little effort. I even drove the car a couple days with the inside trim not installed just to feel comfortable with the install.
HTH.
Woodwork
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post