fitting a new soft top- any one know how?

[Ajay_1985]

Hi guys, just wanted a littile help, im taking my old hood off and putting a new one on,

is it as easy as taking 2 bolts off each side and pulling it out and placing the new one in?

can any one explain how to change the hood. im changing it in 2 - 3 days. thanks

[mrLEE30]

if you mean just the fabric, no it is quite complicated, there are rivets, glueing and general messing about. It is not beyond the home mechanic.

if you mean to change the whole roof with the frame, in which case there are four bolts and some shims. this is easy to swap but may take some messing about with the shims to get it to sit correctly. Provided you replace with same frame (manual or electric).

[Blitz]

Sorry for hijack. How many people do you recommend to do this?

[ImysE30]

I would say at least 2, 4 would be easier

[mrLEE30]

as above more the merrier, i reckon the frame weighs about 50kg, but its not the weight but the size of the thing. two poeple minimum.

I would count the shims before i unbolted and replace exactly the correct number, then start adjusting from there

[e30-unit-soldier]

I looked into doing this you definatley need 2 people as you will end up scratching your car up when lifting the hood out!

There are shims at the top fittings and there are shims underneath the frame the ones underneath are to be left as is the ones onthe top are set for each individual frame so you just add or remove the shims until you get a perfect fit against the sunvisors when the hood is closed.

There is a geezer on egay that is selling a dvd and a cd that has all the info on how to do this about 9 quid i fink.

Hope this helps

[adit]

i have these DVDs available chaps, £9 delivered. covers everything you need to know:

[ImysE30]

Same one that i bought off eBay a while back. Some very good info/advice on there

[Rosc0PColtrane]

It's a royal PITA. Needs two people at least. That DVD would be money well spent.

[Martinaston]

You can do it on your own, just cover the sides so the frame hinge doesn't dig in when you plonk it on top.
You remove or add the bottom shims so the bow sits flush on the rear cover.