I've seen 2 AP2's with tears in roughly the same place before I bought my AP1 with no tears. Apparently the AP2's from '06 and up had the tear issue. It's troublesome because it almost always requires removal and repair instead of patch on the spot or replacing the top altogether

 

This is what I have been wondering about. Is this tear problem from frame roughness associated only with particular model years?

I have an 02 with real low miles. Of course I want to do all I can to make it last in good shape. I don't see any issues now. I have tried to identify the spots on the top frame that are thought to be the source of trouble but I don't feel any dramatic sharp or extremely rough spots on the frame of particular note. I did see some speculation about whether the problems really cropped up when there was a change in the manufacturing facility. Is there any truth to that?

Is this an issue just for particular model years? Or is it all the model years?

I guess I will just keep an eye on the top and inspect regularly when I clean it etc. I'll probably replace the straps soon - they seem ok now - but not super taught and they are 14 years old (only 12K miles). The top is folding fully with no manual assistance right now. I'm a big believer in the old adage "if it ain't broke don't fix it." But there are times when a little preventative maintenance makes sense for sure. Given the expense for a new top this is probably one of those times.

 

So my new elastic straps arrived, along with the cordura and e6000 adhesive. I'll post pictures once I get started on the project.

 

I'll keep an eye out for it.

 

For me at least, the trick was to catch the problem early on my AP2. I smoothed out the bar ends, which were really sharp, as soon as I got the car in 2009. Have not had any problems since. Original top is still in great shape. Always garaged and protected with 303.

 

The 2006 cars are often stated as the problem year but it may have started having problems them. My roof fabric just (10 days ago) separated in a 1/2" tear right where the wear line was in the fabric. The reinforcing I put there had fallen down or was peeled off by the roof bar despite rounded corners. Just back from verifying nothing sharp is there -- and sanding regardless -- and putting new patches inside and out. I'll probably seek professional repair in the spring or just before hybernation.

The rectangular patch protects the edges of the round patch under the hole from peeling off by the roof bar.





-- Chuck

 

Hey Chuck, is the part you sanded the part next to the patch in the last picture?

I checked mine in that area and did not feel any roughness.

 

I used this often posted photo from another member as a guide. Ignore the scratches on the roof cross bar.



-- Chuck

 

I don't feel any sharp spots where your arrows point. If you look at your blue oval circle and see the frame member that touches the oval - I might feel a little sharpness along the back edge. I see no sign of wear on the top itself.

It is interesting because if you watch the top moving up and down that bar touching the patch in pic #2 really sweeps long rubbing the top along the area of the patch pretty firmly. Seems like that rubbing action might abrade the top material over time. I wonder if you could sleeve the frame parts in milk jug plastic or something to reduce the friction.

 

^^yes, you should check that area where you mentioned above - I used a yellow arrow here. Mine was also quite sharp along the part of the bar as well as the other places. Apparently the damaging wear from those places mostly takes place when the top is down.