Once you replace a soft top, is it never quite the same?
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 13
From: Louisville, KY
Originally Posted by Vanishing Point
You might try pm'ing Clovis, our local soft top replacement guru. He's done hundreds of replacements, he prefers the OEM or Robbins tops, but he may have helpful insight on how to fix your issues. https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/434...nt-info-costs/
YELLOW JACKET - thanks, as well.
Joined: Aug 2012
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My top is aftermarket, Robbins I think. Canvas. Seems quality. It was on the car when I got it. PO had it installed.
Its great, except window rests on roll hoops. Bangs around on every bump. I rarely go top up, so not as huge an issue. Never thought to see if there was a fix...
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Its great, except window rests on roll hoops. Bangs around on every bump. I rarely go top up, so not as huge an issue. Never thought to see if there was a fix...
Sent from my SM-G920P using IB AutoGroup
Community Organizer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,171
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From: Tucson, AZ
I don't have better pictures available at the moment for the sake of demonstration, but that is a Robbins top (grey) that I installed myself. With the design of the soft top frame, it should be impossible for the glass to contact the roll hoops in the upright position. If the glass is contacting the roll hoops, something is installed incorrectly.
Parking Lot at Night by Fokker, on Flickr
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Parking Lot at Night by Fokker, on FlickrCar Group Jerome by Fokker, on Flickr
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 8,757
Likes: 1,859
Suggestions on how to fix? I'm reluctant to bring it someplace, since it was 'experienced experts' that got it wrong in the first place. Would rather fix it myself, with some guidance on where to start...
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Sent from my SM-G920P using IB AutoGroup
Community Organizer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,630
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From: Kansas City, MO
I have a my2000, so 4-5 years ago, I bought an E-Z ON glass soft top and had it installed. The glass over plastic was obviously a nice upgrade, but I'm getting more annoyed with the rest of the top.
1) On the sides, above the windows, the top doesn't cover up the weather stripping. It does right behind the windshield, but is pushed up as it goes back, exposing all the weather stripping. It's like the fabric needs to be an inch wider across the top.
2) It leaks on the sides at the front top corners of the windows. And if it's really pouring, water runs down and slowly drips in around the top middle of the window. Luckily, my S2K hardly ever sees rain, but it also happens during a wash.
3) The top of the rear glass contacts/rests on the roll hoop covers when the top is up. It only makes a slight noise over seriously bumpy roads, but still, it's annoying.
I had none of these problems with the original OEM top. Anyone else without the original OEM top feel the same way?
And oh yeah, I've read about all these problems. I make sure the top folds down correctly, replaced the weather stripping, used Shin-etsu grease on the seals, ensured the cables on the sides are taut, hoped the sun would stretch the top, etc.
I guess it could have been the install, but I'm thinking it's just part of having an aftermarket top. I will say that the fabric looks terrific. Still, it makes me want to try a new top altogether. Ugh.
1) On the sides, above the windows, the top doesn't cover up the weather stripping. It does right behind the windshield, but is pushed up as it goes back, exposing all the weather stripping. It's like the fabric needs to be an inch wider across the top.
2) It leaks on the sides at the front top corners of the windows. And if it's really pouring, water runs down and slowly drips in around the top middle of the window. Luckily, my S2K hardly ever sees rain, but it also happens during a wash.
3) The top of the rear glass contacts/rests on the roll hoop covers when the top is up. It only makes a slight noise over seriously bumpy roads, but still, it's annoying.
I had none of these problems with the original OEM top. Anyone else without the original OEM top feel the same way?
And oh yeah, I've read about all these problems. I make sure the top folds down correctly, replaced the weather stripping, used Shin-etsu grease on the seals, ensured the cables on the sides are taut, hoped the sun would stretch the top, etc.
I guess it could have been the install, but I'm thinking it's just part of having an aftermarket top. I will say that the fabric looks terrific. Still, it makes me want to try a new top altogether. Ugh.
