TR6 Can't leave top down

[pdplot]

I would love to leave my top down all summer but if It's down for more than one day, it takes 3 strong men to get it to close. I never had that problem on any of the other convertibles I've owned in the last 64 years - 4 MGs, a TR3 and a Corvair, plus my son't Fiat Spider and my daughter's Mini. Any other owner have that problem? This was a new top 18 years ago and except for one small tear, still looks like new because the car was always garaged and never driven in the rain or the wintertime. Other than a new top, are there any suggestions? Thanks.
PD

 

[Geo Hahn]

Some people lay a new top in the sun to make it easier to install and stretch into position -- problem is that later, when the top is cold, it is very hard to install.

Also, some top material will shrink though the years.

In addition, many of the tops sold are a bit small (I wonder if the made the patterns using original tops that had shrunk.

I'd say leave it off -- top down driving is really the default position for these cars -- and get the 3 strong men (and a sunny day) to put it back on in the Fall.

 

[poolboy]

Do you have a tonneau ?

 

[TR3driver]

Oops, sorry, nevermind. I forgot to check the category, thought you were talking about a TR3 top.

 

[titanic]

If the problem is pulling the top forward far enough for the pins to align with the holes in the top of the windshield, I have found that it helps to reach in the side window opening and pull the vertical part of the top frame foward while guiding the pin into the hole. As others have mentioned, heat is your friend.
Berry

 

[trrdster2000]

pdplt, I found out years ago that the strap is what shrinks the most and have taken the pin out and rolled it up and kept it in the boot and take it out if you need to install.

Wayne

 

[pdplot]

Note to Poolboy - I do have a tonneau cover - it's hanging on my cellar wall. It's good for keeping the summer sun off my black seats. I've burned my butt several times. Now, I just flop up the top but don't latch it when I leave the car out in the sun. And yes - the problem is fitting the pins into the holes, especially when the weather turns cooler in the fall. I've tried boiling water, a hair dryer - nothing works. The Fiat top was easy - just reach back,flip it up and latch it.

 

[glemon]

Mine is a little tight, but sounds like it is not as bad as yours, but the same problem, in the hot sun not too bad, on a warm spring or fall day doable, in the winter next to impossible. As mentioned it could be the webbing which you could replace or adjust by drilling out the rivits. I try to leave mine up in the hot sun (all sealed and buttoned up, and I will then even push on the vinyl when it is soft and stretchy to hopefully stretch it out more, and I always store it with the top up in the winter to (hopefully) prevent shrinkage. Luckily it seems to have gotten a little better over the years, maybe it has just stretched normally, or maybe my methods helped a little bit.

 

[pdplot]

I'll check out the straps. meanwhile, I've been leaving the top up but unlatched in the garage. I'm hoping (perhaps in vain) that I'll still be able to button up the top in the fall. Thanks to all.

 

[Gliderman8]

Here's one more thing to try-
make sure the snaps are off on both sides just behind the "B" post. Then, reach under the top and separate the Velcro holding the top to the bow. This will let the top stretch a little more.

 

[pdplot]

I leave the snaps off until the top is finally up. The last snap on each side takes real work. As an aside, I read where the tops of the Solstice and Sky are also a PITA to put up - and these are new cars. Future classics?