Collapsing the Convertible Top

[mookie]

Hello, first post!

After having nothing but MG's and Triumph's for all these years, a couple of weeks ago I purchased an '82 Spider 2000. It's a one-owner vehicle in excellent original condition with about 77K miles. I bought it from the fellow I know who owns the shop that had been maintaining it. He had it there on consignment. I'm almost embarrassed to ask this but the top doesn't fully lie flat when collapsed and I'm not sure what's preventing it. It sticks up a good 6-7 inches. On the British cars you pull the top away from the frame then fold it over once the frame is down. Of course with the spider's top glued to the frame you don't have to go through all this. There's no obstructions in either of the pockets where the side rear windows go so that's not the problem. Could it just be a matter of lubricating the articulating points on the frame? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[DieselSpider]

Hello, first post!

After having nothing but MG's and Triumph's for all these years, a couple of weeks ago I purchased an '82 Spider 2000. It's a one-owner vehicle in excellent original condition with about 77K miles. I bought it from the fellow I know who owns the shop that had been maintaining it. He had it there on consignment. I'm almost embarrassed to ask this but the top doesn't fully lie flat when collapsed and I'm not sure what's preventing it. It sticks up a good 6-7 inches. On the British cars you pull the top away from the frame then fold it over once the frame is down. Of course with the spider's top glued to the frame you don't have to go through all this. There's no obstructions in either of the pockets where the side rear windows go so that's not the problem. Could it just be a matter of lubricating the articulating points on the frame? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

If the top is a old and cold vinyl version it will be too stiff to close all the way since it will no longer be supple enough. The rear bow also needs to fold forward for it to close flat and to keep it there you need to use the two rubber straps on either side of the back seat.

[mookie]

If the top is a old and cold vinyl version it will be too stiff to close all the way since it will no longer be supple enough. The rear bow also needs to fold forward for it to close flat and to keep it there you need to use the two rubber straps on either side of the back seat.

Thanks, Diesel

The top's not original and was replaced at some point. From from the looks of it was within the last couple of years. It looks that new. But I'm not sure I understand where you say the rear bow needs to fold forward for it to close flat. Isn't it just a matter of releasing the two front clamps on the windshield and folding it back? When I do that I make sure the rear window folds forward over the rear seatback. Is there something I'm missing?

[mookie]

Let's see if a picture uploaded to dropbox works...

[DieselSpider]

The last bow in the back has to fold forward all the way for the top to go down however if the top material is old and stiff or thicker than the original the bow may not fold all the way like it should so you need to give it some assistance. Also the rubber hold down straps are there to prevent to fabric of the top from making it spring back up. Some after market tops have thicker side bolsters to better seal against the windows in the doors which can add to this effect. I am more aware of this since the rear bow hits my roll bar causing it to come unglued so I have to ensure that it folds flat or the top never will go down all the way.

[bradartigue]

I'd put the top up and use a good penetrating oil (P Blaster) on the joints. Put some drop cloth in your car to catch the oil while it sits, then work the top up and down a bunch to get it in there. Some top frames have been cleaned and painted to avoid rust, which is fine, but often the paint seeps into the joints and causes binding.

[mookie]

Problem solved!! Fold the rear bow forward and give the joints a shot of Blaster. It was good advice and I appreciate it. Thanks a lot!