Recently had top replaced on my MY 2000. Experienced upholstery shop used GAHH replacement. Beautiful top, but the fit is so tight I can barely latch and unlatch. We have tried everything we can including sitting it in the sun with sand bags on top, but have found nothing to adjust. I came across mention of an adjustable striker but have not located one for purchase. Does anyone have a solution that could work?

 

I am curious what the opinion of the upholstery shop was. I assumed "we" didn't include the shop people but I am likely wrong. Do you happen to have hard top front strikes on the car?

 

Looks like they did the job well. Latch it, (if you can!) and leave it that way for a couple of weeks to stretch thing out.

 

Sometimes wetting and sun-drying the fabric will help. I'd certainly wet it ruthlessly and check for leaks. Roof replacement is an all day job and requires taking many panels off the car, checking drains, etc.

-- Chuck

 

Maybe ask the shop?

 

Pics?
I had mine replaced a few weeks ago with OEM and it fits perfectly. Maybe feels 10-15% tighter when latching as expected with a new one vs the 12 year old one that was replaced.

 

Mine was tight for the first few weeks after I had it replaced. Nothing to be alarmed about. I was told to leave it latched for the first two weeks to let it stretch out.

 

Thanks, all, for your replies. The top was replaced last October and stored (latched) until mid-April. I have been working with the upholstery shop to find a solution. They are very experienced on lots of vintage restorations. They described the S as the most difficult they ever ran into, and the only vehicle without any latch adjustments. After lots of sunshine and ups and downs, I can unlatch with effort. But, left overnight in the garage, it is back to super tight. Strikers are original soft-top, not hard top. The original top had plastic window, new top has glass.

 

I replaced a top with one like you mentioned, take the advice of the members above and leave it latched in the sun for some time as the top will stretch. I will say that it was a PITA to latch the top but it will conform to the car over time.

 

Just me, but I don't make it habit to leave the top down in the garage for extended periods of time. When My S2k is parked, even in the garage, it's parked with the top up and windows up. Mainly to keep the interior clean of dust and dirt. Leaving the top up for longer periods will help stretch it out also.