Reminder: replace your top elastic straps often!
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 36
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL
Reminder: replace your top elastic straps often!
Most know about the top elastic straps, but I wanted to post again for anyone out there who is not aware of this issue.
I learned the hard way about 4 years ago that an aging elastic straps that fail can rip your top. That was a $1300 lesson learned, so learn from my mistake. I now replace the elastic straps every couple years with the awesome Modifry straps. Super easy to install, priced right, and they come with great instructions.
I just noticed that my top wasn't sitting down all the way, and realized that it has been 3 years since I have replaced my elastic straps, so I just installed another new set of the Modifry straps. They last longer than OEM, but you are better off replacing them every 2 years to save yourself any issues with failure and the top ripping.
Below is a picture of the Modifry strap after 3 years compared to a new one. You can see how it does stretch out over time, and that causes the top folding issue. The Modifry straps are better than OEM, but you need to be careful because no matter how great they are, after 2 years of being in the sun and stretched out, they will lose their elasticity.
I learned the hard way about 4 years ago that an aging elastic straps that fail can rip your top. That was a $1300 lesson learned, so learn from my mistake. I now replace the elastic straps every couple years with the awesome Modifry straps. Super easy to install, priced right, and they come with great instructions.
I just noticed that my top wasn't sitting down all the way, and realized that it has been 3 years since I have replaced my elastic straps, so I just installed another new set of the Modifry straps. They last longer than OEM, but you are better off replacing them every 2 years to save yourself any issues with failure and the top ripping.
Below is a picture of the Modifry strap after 3 years compared to a new one. You can see how it does stretch out over time, and that causes the top folding issue. The Modifry straps are better than OEM, but you need to be careful because no matter how great they are, after 2 years of being in the sun and stretched out, they will lose their elasticity.
Joined: Mar 2014
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That's one solution. I've formed a habit of flicking the bar back with my left hand while I operate the roof switch with my right. But my "roof" can only be described as such in quotes due to it's holed nature so probably no one should listen to my advice.
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 927
Likes: 35
From: ATL, GA
Great advice! I'm glad I installed the Modifry straps. My OEM straps were not that worn but I did notice the soft top get stuck one time so I went ahead and spent the 20 bux instead of having to get a new top. I've seen several owners go through this so don't take it lightly!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,405
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From: Seabrook, MD
Good advice, likely, but will only be useful if I remember it in 2-3 years or someone else posts another reminder. My wife is very happy with the new canvas top on her S2000, replaced a month or two back, and yes I had the straps replaced -- but I'll probably never trust the top mechanism again and I watch it like a hawk when putting the top down... now if only she adopts that habit.
If the new Boxster ever develops a similar fault, I'll wager that will be SERIOUS money to correct!
If the new Boxster ever develops a similar fault, I'll wager that will be SERIOUS money to correct!
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Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Oak Island
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Lebanon, Indiana
Originally Posted by toekneer
I haven't gotten around to installing mine yet and push the bar back as suggested. I think this is good practice even with new straps. Makes it so much easier to snap the top cover on. Sent by carrier pigeon
