Didnt mean to do that - any advise or suggestions please?

[TV8]

Managed to tear the stitching on the rear window today and its now flapping like a flappy thing!

I am assuming that it cant be re-stitched in situ, so the rear panel needs to come off.

At the local TVR meeting this afternoon, someone kindly showed me the three fittings I have never noticed before, on either this car or the last and it looks like a relatively simple job...

Given how long other simple jobs have taken me, any advise or suggestions in advance are appreciated please! Pictures would be a welcome bonus!

Thanks

[PhilH42]

If I'm reading this right you want to remove the hood completely? If so no its not that difficult, the two bolts from the base of the roof stays and 5 hex bolts around the lower hoop...all these nuts are accessed from the boot, the lower hoop bolts are a bit tricky as they are up under the sill. Then two large hex bolts..one on either side just behind the windows.

If it makes you feel any better I managed to slit the passenger seat belt when I fitted a new carpet set..Doh.

[PhilH42]

In fact it might be three hex bolts on the lower hoop...my memory is c***!

[PhilH42]

And a screw either side, which you can make out between the two bolts...yep really poor memory.

[PhilH42]

But if your not careful it looks like this.

[TV8]

Thanks Phil. What sort of seal is there between the rear hood and the body or is there nothing? Do you have any pictures of the roof removed please?

[pb450]

Morning Graham, Mine was like this when I bought it - on both sides. The previous owner had managed to re-stitch one side with water-proof thread, using the existing holes. He and his daughter had quite a struggle, although it was a neat job. Unable to contemplate the second side, he undertook to get the rear window replaced completeley. When I spoke to the company they said they would have to remove it completeley to re-stitch it and the cost of a new window was an extra £11. (!) This was 4 years ago, done by Monsoon, down near Horam somewhere in Sussex. Excellent job and still good today. Good luck matey.

Peter

[PhilH42]

TV8 said:

Thanks Phil. What sort of seal is there between the rear hood and the body or is there nothing? Do you have any pictures of the roof removed please?

I'll have a look but I don't think I got one of the roof section when off. There is no seal between the lower hoop and the body (not on mine at least) also not on the S when I had that either. The shape of the ledge and how it sits over seems enough to keep everything dry.

Seriously though as long as the lower hoop bolts are not too rusted on it really is quite easy, you may find it easier with someone holding against on the nuts in the boot but aside from that you will sail through. I bouht some new stsinless hex bolts from Ebay while I was at it and because I had to cut one off.

Good luck mate and if I find another useful pic I'll post it.

[N7GTX]

Ordinary needles are very difficult to push through 2 layers of fabric and the plastic window. On someone else's recommendation on here I bought one of these and it pushes through very easily. If you want to tackle it yourself that is.

http://www.seamarknunn.com/acatalog/speedy-stitche...

[TV8]

pb450 said:

Morning Graham, Mine was like this when I bought it - on both sides. The previous owner had managed to re-stitch one side with water-proof thread, using the existing holes. He and his daughter had quite a struggle, although it was a neat job. Unable to contemplate the second side, he undertook to get the rear window replaced completeley. When I spoke to the company they said they would have to remove it completeley to re-stitch it and the cost of a new window was an extra £11. (!) This was 4 years ago, done by Monsoon, down near Horam somewhere in Sussex. Excellent job and still good today. Good luck matey.

Peter

Thanks Peter. These look to be the people - http://www.monsooncarhoods.co.uk/other-services/fi...

I will give them a call in the morning. I will also have a word with Cass Bros on Bromley common.

Shame you didn't get along to the Woodman yesterday. A beautiful afternoon and a good turn out.

[TV8]

PhilH42 said:

I'll have a look but I don't think I got one of the roof section when off. There is no seal between the lower hoop and the body (not on mine at least) also not on the S when I had that either. The shape of the ledge and how it sits over seems enough to keep everything dry.

Seriously though as long as the lower hoop bolts are not too rusted on it really is quite easy, you may find it easier with someone holding against on the nuts in the boot but aside from that you will sail through. I bouht some new stsinless hex bolts from Ebay while I was at it and because I had to cut one off.

Good luck mate and if I find another useful pic I'll post it.

Thanks Phil. The car had a very spoilt existence as far as moisture was concerned prior to me owning it, so hopefully, the bolts won't be too rusty...

[TV8]

N7GTX said:

Ordinary needles are very difficult to push through 2 layers of fabric and the plastic window. On someone else's recommendation on here I bought one of these and it pushes through very easily. If you want to tackle it yourself that is.

http://www.seamarknunn.com/acatalog/speedy-stitche...

Up until this happened this would have been perfect to try as I had damaged one corner with about 6 cm needn't repair.

This needs doing properly now!

[N7GTX]

Yes, think you may be right!!! Sheel (Rich) had his replaced by this company. They come to your house and do the full works including recovering the targa. Takes a day. £750 all in apparently.

http://carhoodsnorthern.co.uk/tvr-car-hoods/

Edited by N7GTX on Monday 4th April 23:23

[ClassiChimi]

I've been afraid to say it but yes I agree it looks like a new hood, pulling it off the glue can only distraught it more so making re fitting if it was repaired a nightmare I'd say..
I was there the day the chap did Rich's (Sheel) and it's a nice job.
More difficult than it looks and requires experience and the knack to achieve good results.
He's well worth a call mate.

[PhilH42]

N7GTX said:

Yes, think you may be right!!! Sheel (Rich) had his replaced by this company. They come to your house and do the full works including recovering the targa. Takes a day. £750 all in apparently.

http://carhoodsnorthern.co.uk/tvr-car-hoods/

Edited by N7GTX on Monday 4th April 23:23

Good shout I reckon Iain.

[sheel]

Car hoods did a top job with mine as alun says,been totally satisfied, guy was experienced with chimera hoods and it showed,nice thing was it was fitted at home which suited me as the car was not really moveable,plus the hood was made by the original manufacturers so fit was perfect...can't recommend enough
Rich

[ianwayne]

If you want to just replace the plastic window, these guys do it for £155.

But you'd have to go to Guisborough (Teeside area):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-CHIMERA-WINDOW-REAR-...

[pb450]

TV8 said:

Thanks Peter. These look to be the people - http://www.monsooncarhoods.co.uk/other-services/fi...

I will give them a call in the morning. I will also have a word with Cass Bros on Bromley common.

Shame you didn't get along to the Woodman yesterday. A beautiful afternoon and a good turn out.

These are the guys Graham. I knew there was an amusing name in there somewhere! Website has had a revamp so it's worth a call to quote for window replacement, rather than full new hood, as advertised. When I had mine done, I arrived first thing and waited. Took my laptop, used their wifi and had free coffee. Yay! From memory it was ready around early afternoon and I managed to get a lot of work done without constant interuptions. Win double! Very professional outfit.

Yeah, shame I missed the Woodman but was out in the local countryside in 'another vehicle' that afternoon. Fab wether. Looked out for the local Tiv crowd but didn't see any of you.

[TV8]

Well, the car is fixed. The local places all had a couple of weeks wait and the car was booked in at Dan Taylors this week, so he has had the hood sorted. Not seen it yet but will post a pic of the repair when I collect tomorrow.

[TV8]

Very pleased!