Another Update: I got a call yesterday (Fri) about the car from the service rep. After telling me on Thurs that all the parts have finally come in and my car should be done either late Fri. or early today (Sat.), he then leaves me a voicemail saying that there was a mistake. He tells me that due to bad weather , my parts are sitting in Memphis. He also told me Thurs. that the tech was working on my car all day. I wonder what parts he was working with and installing in my car since the damn parts weren't there. I am once again calling Honda of America for the 3rd time. If only I can get my car out of there and get it fixed elsewhere. The only thing keeping me from taking it right now is that it has no top. I'm just so fed up with these guys at Lia Honda of Albany. worst dealership I have ever had to deal with thus far. Poor service and communication. If anyone else in the area needs their car serviced, I strongly recommend going elsewhere. I think the worst garage in town would be better to deal with than them.

 

You may want them to grind down the edge on the hinge or you may be repeating the experience again in a couple of years. I picked up a pack of black heavy duty self adhesive 2"x4" velcro fastner pads at WalMart last night. I think the loop sided pads may make a quick and easy abrasion patch to put on the inside of the top over the wear spot. To actually strengthen the area, one would probably need to use fabric glue and bond a strong material to the inside top.

 

The sad thing to me is Honda has probably known about this issue since 2000. The top is not a lot different today other than the glass window. All they needed to do is have the piece in question machined so it has a smooth rounded edge and this problem would likely cease to exist. How much would this mod cost Honda? Probably nothing. How much would it save them in warranty claims and negative posts on S2Ki.com?

 

Just got around to filing off the sharp flash edge of the top hinge on both the passenger and driver sides. Used the file of a leatherman tool (it hadn't been used, so it was nice and sharp). Removed the sharp edge fairly easily and rounded it some. For short term scuff protection, I made a ~1.5"x2" patch shaped out of some clear packing tape and put it on the passenger side wear spot. I'll see how well it stays in place. The tape is fairly thick and strong, with a nice smooth outside surface. It being clear, it is not very noticable. I'll watch it and see how well it works now that warm weather is here.

 

good thread.
great info!
I will defiantly do this mod when i get my s2000.
-mark

 

Changing my top this weekend for the same tear (had one form on the other side in the same spot too). American honda offered to cover 1/4 of the cost; which is a joke when you compare dealer top\labor prices with the price of getting a Robbins top.

Definitely going to try one of these preventive measures when the new top gets put on. It is extremely frustrating to me that this issue has been happening for years, and Honda has not addressed it (reading the post from the guy with an '08 having the same issue was discouraging).

Soft top torn =

 

I have the same issue with my 05. There is a wear mark where it is beginning to break down the canvas. I covered the sharp edges with self adhesive felt, and am probably going to use black gorilla duct tape to cover the small worn area. Has anyone used gorilla tape?

 

Thanks for this thread. My top is not torn or worn yet and I'd like to avoid the same fate. I plan to at least tape off the sharp edge on the passenger side of the car, then buy some felt this weekend to cover the joint.

Thank you!

 

I first put a paper lable on the spot to check the wear. The sharp edge quickly chewed thru the paper (it was cutting the threads in the fabric). I suggest if you have the sharp burred edge to get a small flat file and round off and smooth the edge. I measured the piece of tape I used and it is actually 1.5"x2". As the tape will probably losen when the summer sun really heats the top, I'll probably replace the tape with a similar sized patch made from a piece of thin black vinal from the local fabric shop (they have several reminate pieces of different thicknesses and patterns). I'll glue the fabric side of the vinal patch to the inside top with fabric glue. This will bond with the top fabric and reinforce the now weakened spot on the top as well as limiting further abrasion of the top fabric.

 

Actually, it appears that Honda only screwed up the later models. I've got a '00 with no indication of any problem to the area of the top shown in these pictures. There is a crease on the side behind the window where it creases when it folds, but no problem on the upper surface of the top.