Convertible Top Issue: Uneven sides
 

Had a look through the site and online but I've had trouble finding people with the same issue.

Just got a new top installed and thats all well and good. However, the drivers side doesnt seal up to the window as far as the passenger side.

The passenger side closes, seals, and the roof is easily latched and locked.

The drivers side however, appears to not come as far forward so the window does not seal, creating a small gap I can put my finger through. Furthermore, since the motor appears to have gone as far as it can, its near impossible to latch the roof shut without excessive force. (and even then, the gap is still present).


I was wondering if anyone has had this problem. My first thought is to turn the service screw on the drivers side to disengage it, and see if i can move it by hand and latch it shut, then take the motor out of service mode.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13...C3S/photo2.jpg

The latches themselves have a way that you can make them a little longer(adjust).
The hook has a nut on it,if you crack the nut then you can unscrew the hook and make it a little longer so that it goes towards the windshield...Did you try that yet?

Yes I have tried that. To even latch it, I have to max out how far the hook can go and it doesn't close the gap at all. Hence I think it's something to do with the motors not lining up.

When that Pic with your finger through the gap was taken was the targa roof fully installed and the front most latches engaged? I'd think that you'd want to pull you rear quarter plastics with the top locked in the up position and check that the motor arms to top linkages are both at the same angle and match each other. The motors should obviously both be on the closed limit switches and they "talk" back and forth to stay in sync but where the motors and top linkages meet there is a large nut and some spacers that you may be able to crack loose and tweak a bit. I'm under the assumption after playing with mine and replacing a broken passenger side motor that they are relatively fool proof in staying in sync but I could see the linkages being bolted in at different angles. I had unlocked the service bolts on the motors to drop and raise the top manually and then unbolted the bad motor, with the top in the up most position, reinstalled replacement motor, dropped the top manually and then reengaged the service bolts and ran the top up with the switch. Hope any of that helps.

Could also be that the window is not lining up correctly. I had that problem with my vert as well. I adjusted the latches and thought that I had a motor issue too. But after a few painful weeks of trying to figure it out my friend told me to check the window. Turns out that my window wasn't going up right. it was leaning a bit to the front so that is why I had a gap in mine. Might want to check that out. Good luck on the car.

Well tried to fiddle with it over the weekend to no avail.

To be clear, the passenger side will latch, but the drivers side physically doesnt move far enough to latch. That little metal piece that slots into the plastic lock point on the windshield cant not make it far enough.

Tried putting top in service mode, tried loosening bolts and stuff to try and latch it shut, but it just wont work.

Asking the upholstery guy that installed the top to take a look at it this week.

Ram it up his ass. Seriously, you'll hate yourself for not getting it done right.

Long story short, I've never taken any of my cars to a shop for anything ever. Except my convertible Rx7 when I got its top replaced. I went back 3 times and they still didn't get it right. I should have gone back again until they fixed it, but I was young and stupid.

I asked them if it was ok if I brought them a top. They said they wouldn't warranty the TOP, but the labor. I even brought them new OEM Mazda targa seals. I paid $1100 in labor charges, since they had to make a new headliner for it as well.

Make sure it's done right the first time. A gap that large won't fix itself. Either it's right, or it's wrong. There's no grey area on a convertible top.