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Post by Roadie on Jul 29, 2023 15:50:28 GMT
Any body got a soft top that is rubbing on their hoops that wants a simple solution? I’ve recently come across some simple little wedges that stick on to the panel where the roof drops and engage with the two lugs that locate the hood when closed. My ND didn’t rub when I got it but the roof has gradually been inching towards the hoops over time. They don’t touch if I push it firmly back while opening from the outside but if I’m not careful they just touch. No damage but tiny indentations both sides. So I’ve fitted a pair of wedges on my car and now I have a good 3mm gap both sides. Hood opens perfectly easily from inside the car and the wedges just do the backwards pushing job for you. While you can buy them from the guy who makes them in France you may get caught up in customs red tape, delays and fees and the instructions are in French. Buy from me and they will be sent by Royal Mail 1st class post with English instruction. First trial batch had nothing but positive feedback. More now available for £18 including postage. Message me if you want a set. Thanks. Paul.
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Post by Jeff - jthspace on Jul 29, 2023 19:59:06 GMT
Great idea. The U.S. fraternity will go mad for these, I would think!
Await to hear more.......
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Post by Roadie on Jul 29, 2023 20:19:52 GMT
Ordered 10 Fitted one to mine lunchtime Did translated instruction sheet this afternoon Posted on Facebook, OC forum and here teatime Sold all nine I had left
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jonno
Up into 3rd gear
🎖 Grand Tourer 2022
Posts: 73
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Post by jonno on Jul 30, 2023 17:16:10 GMT
let me know when you have any in stock Roadie  |
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Post by RS on Jul 31, 2023 9:43:08 GMT
I'd be interested in a set.
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Post by mxdave on Jul 31, 2023 11:48:13 GMT
I’m not sure whether I need a set or not. I had a look and there seems to be plenty of clearance, even without pushing down on the back of the hood. Although someone has stuck some black tape on the back of the hoops where it would normally wear the paint at some time. There’s no wear marks on the front of the hood though.
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Post by Roadie on Jul 31, 2023 16:09:54 GMT
Have the hoops been ground down?
One solution used by many is to grind away some plastic from the hoop so that it clears the hood. This leaves a matt area on the plastic. Tape might have been used to cover it.
The profile of the hoops should be the same all the way down. If there is a noticable flat at the bottom it has been ground away.
If you have a decent gap either side then you are one of the lucky ones. Keep an eye on it though, mine crept forward over time.
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Post by mxdave on Jul 31, 2023 18:06:30 GMT
Thanks Roadie. I’ve had another look and the hoops and they don’t look like they’ve been ground or sanded down, the profile is the same all the way to the bottom. I’ve had a look at the front edge of the hood fabric and there doesn’t appear to be any wear there either. The odd thing though if I run my finger along the front edge I can feel an indent in the plastic under the fabric that lines up with the hoop, I presume they’re manufactured like that.
I have a gap of about 5mm at the moment without pushing the back of the hood down and I’ve tried pushing the hood forward and I definitely can’t get it to actually touch. However with what you saying about it all moving over time I think I will fit the little blocks you’re making to be on the safe side. So, put me on the list please for when you have some more stock.
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Post by Roadie on Jul 31, 2023 18:24:05 GMT
I would guess that your car has had the official Mazda modification. Takes them about two days to rip half the car apart, fit some washers and put it back together. It probably had a replacement roof and there are a couple of tiny ripples left in the material underneath. Probably some scuffs under the tape too.
If you ahve a 5mm gap either side and the roof won't go further forward I wouldn't fit the wedges. The brackets probably won't even touch them.
I'm not making them myself, I'm getting them from a very talented guy in France.
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Post by Jeff - jthspace on Aug 1, 2023 11:46:44 GMT
Package arrived today. First point - I HATE harvest . . .  Modification - Plastic Wedges I had shaved the base of the hoops shortly after I got the car (see Mods section), however, even then, the roof was very near the hoops and it still needed a manual push back as per the Owners Manual - I could have (probably) got away with it, but a new roof is expensive, so . . . I got out the car every time to tuck it back. Sorry about the state of the roof - local fields being cut and followed a massive hay wagon along the back roads and it was losing hay under every low-hanging tree branch! The plastic 3D printed wedges seem to work fine and I have taken a couple of pics showing the gaps between the hoops and the roof with them fitted. Took <1 minute to install. IMPORTANT - These "gaps" are showing the roof being " thrown back and latched" with NO manual intervention or push-back/tuck. Drivers side (was always a very near-miss thing) - wedge fitted  Passenger Side - Wedge fitted  Overall, happy with the modification. Hopefully Roadie will be getting more for MXFivers to purchase |
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Post by Roadie on Aug 1, 2023 15:34:33 GMT
Thanks for my first bit of feedback on these. Good to know they work for you too.
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Post by boycie on Aug 2, 2023 9:50:35 GMT
I’m not sure whether I need a set or not. I had a look and there seems to be plenty of clearance, even without pushing down on the back of the hood. Although someone has stuck some black tape on the back of the hoops where it would normally wear the paint at some time. There’s no wear marks on the front of the hood though. Same as you Dave, had the MX5 for 6 years and no wear on hood. Although I only lower it from outside the car. However the wedges Roadie is suppling are a great idea. |
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Post by Roadie on Aug 2, 2023 10:23:09 GMT
Had two positive results so far from the nine posted out. Supplier is away until 17th. Providing all goes well with the first batch I'll be ordering a load of them which should be with me before the end of the month.
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Post by Roadie on Aug 21, 2023 12:52:31 GMT
More now available.  |
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