My top is 5 years old and I noticed a spot their yesterday. What a horrible after Christmas surprise. I think it will be my excuse for a HT though, hopefully.

 

This is a different problem than the one being discussed in this thread. The problem FISH22 had is due to parts rubbing on the top and wearing a hole. The tear I had was due to an area of the top being overtensioned and pulling apart.

It seems that the usual symptom to my problem is that the top does not fully retract. The reason it's not retracting is that rearmost tensioning bar is not getting pulled forward consistantly during retraction and is stretching the fabric of the top. My top happened to have a weak area and it tore as a result.

There's a TSB out there that seems to address this that I'd be interested in reading. Anyone got a copy? [/QUOTE]
ya i know, i read the thread..

 

Also, make sure you latch your top latches after you release them from the striker plates and put the top down.

I had my top replaced under warranty when I noticed it was wearing thin from the elastic straps (on top of one of the bars) was rubbing. Once the new top was put on I added some softer foam pads between the elastic that's on top of the bar and the underside of the top. It's been a couple years now and everything looks fine so far.

I put my top down at least twice everyday so I know the new top is getting lots of use.