any guide on replace soft top without frame?
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Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
any guide on replace soft top without frame?
Hi
I recently bought a soft top without frame as my old one got slashed by someone this year
Its apparent that it was a hasty buy without enough research as i see everywhere ive searched that replacing the soft top is much much easier with the frame already installed on it rather than just the fabric. Is there a guide out there on how to replace the fabric only? I do not dare to do this myself but i do have a few mechanical savvy friends that probably can if they have some instructions, but i can only seem to find guides on how to replace with frame.
I recently bought a soft top without frame as my old one got slashed by someone this year
Its apparent that it was a hasty buy without enough research as i see everywhere ive searched that replacing the soft top is much much easier with the frame already installed on it rather than just the fabric. Is there a guide out there on how to replace the fabric only? I do not dare to do this myself but i do have a few mechanical savvy friends that probably can if they have some instructions, but i can only seem to find guides on how to replace with frame.
- cath's mg
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Re: any guide on replace soft top without frame?
Hi, I know
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=4206
has done this, if he doesn't reply to your post it might be worth contacting him.
Good Luck
Gary
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=4206
has done this, if he doesn't reply to your post it might be worth contacting him.
Good Luck
Gary
Cath's car but Gary's plaything
- stuart
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Re: any guide on replace soft top without frame?
Yep, that's me. When I get home I'll post the "how to" guide that I followed. Clear a whole day- it's one of those jobs that just can't be rushed. I would advise taking the time to clean the frame, repaint where needed and oil all the moving parts etc whilst you can.cath's mg wrote:Hi, I know
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=4206
has done this, if he doesn't reply to your post it might be worth contacting him.
Good Luck
Gary
Will post the link later when I get back to my home laptop
Stuart
'02 TF 160 - an Original MG Rover Group Press Car...and still lookin' sharp!
Bilstein Shocks, Z&F Remap, B&G Coolant Alarm, Glass Rear Screen, Braided Hoses, Bling-free at the moment...but that'll probably change
'02 TF 160 - an Original MG Rover Group Press Car...and still lookin' sharp!
Bilstein Shocks, Z&F Remap, B&G Coolant Alarm, Glass Rear Screen, Braided Hoses, Bling-free at the moment...but that'll probably change
- radiomarty
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Re: any guide on replace soft top without frame?
Hi I am also going to attempted this, hence my post on 'soft top frame' so any help would be most gratefully received - I did find this :
http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=293588
Marty
http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=293588
Marty
- stuart
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Re: any guide on replace soft top without frame?
Right gents, this was the guide I followed:
http://www.the-t-bar.com/en/forum/22-cj ... to-replace
Good luck!
http://www.the-t-bar.com/en/forum/22-cj ... to-replace
Good luck!
Stuart
'02 TF 160 - an Original MG Rover Group Press Car...and still lookin' sharp!
Bilstein Shocks, Z&F Remap, B&G Coolant Alarm, Glass Rear Screen, Braided Hoses, Bling-free at the moment...but that'll probably change
'02 TF 160 - an Original MG Rover Group Press Car...and still lookin' sharp!
Bilstein Shocks, Z&F Remap, B&G Coolant Alarm, Glass Rear Screen, Braided Hoses, Bling-free at the moment...but that'll probably change
Re: any guide on replace soft top without frame?
thanks! this looks way above my level of expertise hope i can bribe some friends to do this
- stuart
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Re: any guide on replace soft top without frame?
You'll be fine- just take your time! It's a hugely satisfying job- I'd never done a roof re-skin before and in hindsight I can see why the manufacturers' charge £200 to fit it for you.
I'd do it again though (and probably in half the time!)
Let me know how you get on and good luck!
I'd do it again though (and probably in half the time!)
Let me know how you get on and good luck!
Stuart
'02 TF 160 - an Original MG Rover Group Press Car...and still lookin' sharp!
Bilstein Shocks, Z&F Remap, B&G Coolant Alarm, Glass Rear Screen, Braided Hoses, Bling-free at the moment...but that'll probably change
'02 TF 160 - an Original MG Rover Group Press Car...and still lookin' sharp!
Bilstein Shocks, Z&F Remap, B&G Coolant Alarm, Glass Rear Screen, Braided Hoses, Bling-free at the moment...but that'll probably change
- radiomarty
- Posts: 177
- Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2012 9:58 pm
- MGF Register Region: South Midlands
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Re: any guide on replace soft top without frame?
Many thanks for the guide Stuart - had a couple of spare hours today so have managed to get the old cover off (Not too bad a job )- Hope to get the new one on in the next couple of days
Last edited by radiomarty on Sat Jul 06, 2013 10:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- stuart
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- Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:43 pm
- MGF Register Region: Hertfordshire
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Re: any guide on replace soft top without frame?
Good work!
Something that I found when refitting that wasn't in the how to guide is when you re-skin the roof to start from the centre and work outwards when you rivet the rear bar at the base of the back window- I found then that the holes lined up really easily. Also, use chalk to mark where the centre of the front rail is when you glue it down and work from the centre outwards. Whilst you've got the chance really polish all the rubber seals too and get them back to tip top condition. On one of my side window seals the rubber was flattened over time, so putting some hosepipe inside it reformed it really well.
Make sure scalpel blade is razor sharp for refitting too.
Something that I found when refitting that wasn't in the how to guide is when you re-skin the roof to start from the centre and work outwards when you rivet the rear bar at the base of the back window- I found then that the holes lined up really easily. Also, use chalk to mark where the centre of the front rail is when you glue it down and work from the centre outwards. Whilst you've got the chance really polish all the rubber seals too and get them back to tip top condition. On one of my side window seals the rubber was flattened over time, so putting some hosepipe inside it reformed it really well.
Make sure scalpel blade is razor sharp for refitting too.
Stuart
'02 TF 160 - an Original MG Rover Group Press Car...and still lookin' sharp!
Bilstein Shocks, Z&F Remap, B&G Coolant Alarm, Glass Rear Screen, Braided Hoses, Bling-free at the moment...but that'll probably change
'02 TF 160 - an Original MG Rover Group Press Car...and still lookin' sharp!
Bilstein Shocks, Z&F Remap, B&G Coolant Alarm, Glass Rear Screen, Braided Hoses, Bling-free at the moment...but that'll probably change
- stuart
- Posts: 823
- Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:43 pm
- MGF Register Region: Hertfordshire
- Model of Car: TF160
Re: any guide on replace soft top without frame?
Good work!
Something that I found when refitting that wasn't in the how to guide is when you re-skin the roof to start from the centre and work outwards when you rivet the rear bar at the base of the back window- I found then that the holes lined up really easily. Also, use chalk to mark where the centre of the front rail is when you glue it down and work from the centre outwards. Whilst you've got the chance really polish all the rubber seals too and get them back to tip top condition. On one of my side window seals the rubber was flattened over time, so putting some hosepipe inside it reformed it really well.
Make sure scalpel blade is razor sharp for refitting too.
Something that I found when refitting that wasn't in the how to guide is when you re-skin the roof to start from the centre and work outwards when you rivet the rear bar at the base of the back window- I found then that the holes lined up really easily. Also, use chalk to mark where the centre of the front rail is when you glue it down and work from the centre outwards. Whilst you've got the chance really polish all the rubber seals too and get them back to tip top condition. On one of my side window seals the rubber was flattened over time, so putting some hosepipe inside it reformed it really well.
Make sure scalpel blade is razor sharp for refitting too.
Stuart
'02 TF 160 - an Original MG Rover Group Press Car...and still lookin' sharp!
Bilstein Shocks, Z&F Remap, B&G Coolant Alarm, Glass Rear Screen, Braided Hoses, Bling-free at the moment...but that'll probably change
'02 TF 160 - an Original MG Rover Group Press Car...and still lookin' sharp!
Bilstein Shocks, Z&F Remap, B&G Coolant Alarm, Glass Rear Screen, Braided Hoses, Bling-free at the moment...but that'll probably change
- radiomarty
- Posts: 177
- Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2012 9:58 pm
- MGF Register Region: South Midlands
- Model of Car: 1996 1.8vvc
- Contact:
Re: any guide on replace soft top without frame?
Job now done on my wife's car - pleased with the result.Just need to paint the rivets black. The replacement was I believe for a Chinese model with no zip for the rear window. One quick question - the rear roof rail is movable on my frame (Mark 2 frame (one seam)as fitted from July 1997 but as the rear glass is not fixed to the frame, as on zipped version. it needs a helping hand to its correct position - does the later frame have a fixed rail at the rear and is there a simple mod I can do ?
- stuart
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Re: any guide on replace soft top without frame?
Not quite sure what you mean by the frame etc....but really good job pal- looks great!
Stuart
'02 TF 160 - an Original MG Rover Group Press Car...and still lookin' sharp!
Bilstein Shocks, Z&F Remap, B&G Coolant Alarm, Glass Rear Screen, Braided Hoses, Bling-free at the moment...but that'll probably change
'02 TF 160 - an Original MG Rover Group Press Car...and still lookin' sharp!
Bilstein Shocks, Z&F Remap, B&G Coolant Alarm, Glass Rear Screen, Braided Hoses, Bling-free at the moment...but that'll probably change
- cath's mg
- Posts: 1181
- Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2012 5:02 pm
- MGF Register Region: Hertfordshire
- Model of Car: MGF
- Location: Broxbourne
Re: any guide on replace soft top without frame?
Do you mean you have to move the rail to put the hood down?radiomarty wrote: One quick question - the rear roof rail is movable on my frame (Mark 2 frame (one seam)as fitted from July 1997 but as the rear glass is not fixed to the frame, as on zipped version. it needs a helping hand to its correct position - does the later frame have a fixed rail at the rear and is there a simple mod I can do ?
If so something like the attached is a quick cheap fix
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-PACKAGED- ... 3cd3170871
Hood looks good, nice job
Gary
Cath's car but Gary's plaything
- radiomarty
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