Seat backs and convertible hoods

[Tintin]

The hood on my 1996 celebration convertible has started to rub on the rear seat backs - the top of the window frame in the hood brushes the leather when folding down or up. The marking is slight but I want to fix it before significant damage occurs. I have been told that the cause is worn or misaligned hood frame pivots/hinges which sounds a bit of a specialist job to rectify. A simpler solution would be to try and refit the seat backs a couple of mm forward of their original position using packers.

Has anyone any suggestions please?

Robbie

[davidr]

I'd be interested in this as I've got the same problem!

[ptjs1]

Robbie,

There seem to be 3 reasons why this mean happen.

The first is a broken retaining webbing strap on that side. The straps are visible if you look beneath the headliner.

The second reason is a lack of use. You can sometimes improve matters by getting someone to operate the hood down whilst you carefully push the hood folds into place such that you're creating an initial fold under the bottom of the rear window as it lowers. Be very careful whilst you do this. After a while the hood should naturally fold at this place.

The third reason is the adjustment that is just possible on the frame attachment. When back home in a few days, I'll try and describe how to get an extra bit of adjustment that might help the issue.

Cheers

Paul

[Tintin]

I've had a closer look at it under manual operation to see more precisely how it works. The webbing is intact and I can find no defect, but the design clearance between the seat back and window is very little indeed - no margin at all for wear, stretch or shrinkage. The window is intended to move back (towards the boot) as the hood opens so any undue stiffness in the fabric or unintended material folding or misalignment of the "parcel shelf" carpet will restrict that motion and if the window is too far forward the edge will brush the seat back. Below the head rest there is a slight ridge in the leather (presumably part of the frame) and it is there that contact is occurring.

My damage is occurring on the near side. The only difference I can see at the nearside is the position of the heated RW connector (quite a chunky bit of kit) but I don't think that is the cause.

I think you are right Paul, and that the answer is to "persuade" the fabric to fold at a more appropriate location. If there is any adjustment available I would be very interested to hear further from you on the point. If all else fails I can always try packing the seat backs forward - one or two millimetres additional clearance is all that is required.

I am at Kemble on Saturday David, and if its not pouring with rain we can compare clearances and operation.

Thanks.

Robbie