Help, nearly lost my roof..

[so called]

Can someone advise me.
I was on the autobahn at weekend, roof on but rear screen out.
Doing about 90 when the roof lifted at the rear nearside.
I stopped and sorted it but it happened again 5 miles down the road.

I noticed the first time I took the roof of that the nearside pin only enters into the lock hole a very short way... less than 5mm.
I guessed that this was due to someone not checking alignment before pushing the lever.

My question is, can this be repaired, corrected or adjusted.
I dont know the design and so cant figure what may be damaged in the lever assembly.
I am heading for France with the wife in August and cant expect her to be holding on to the roof every day.

[Paul V]

On the handle in the boot there is a cable held to the handle via a clevis pin I'd check the cable hasn't become bent where it joins the handle.

[so called]

OK Thanks.

[s6boy]

When you are putting the roof back on don't rely on the 'spring' action of the handle to insert the pin and push down on the panel to ensure the hole and pin line up.
This happened once with me at about 140 with windows up and back window in, so hopefully if you make sure the pin is engaged fully it shouldn't happen again if that is it hasn't happened before( hope this makes sense), drivers side of the roof just blew up like a shot gun going off- veeeeeery scarry, and something I don't want happening again.

[so called]

Hi S6BOY,

Yes It was a bit of a fright. Is amazing how quick you can kill your speed when you need to !!!
My problem is that what ever damage to the lever is already done.
I bought her last October and noticed the first weekend that the nearside pin only just enters while I hold the roof in line.
I will check what Paul V has said.
Thanks for the advise.

[Paul V]

If you look at this pic I've just taken there appears to be a threaded sleeve with a locking nut on it, I'd guess that by adjusted the nut in the same way you'd adjust a bike brake you could bring the pin further out.

[Whitey]

watch the cable does not snap, a nightmare to replace if they do. The insert hole on the roof panel can also be adjusted.

[so called]

Yes, can see exactly what your saying. I'll see if I can adjust the nut.
Didn't know the roof panel "hole" was adjustable. Will check that too.

Thanks the good advise... Picture speaks a thousand words.

[so called]

S6boy hit the nail.
I was aligning the roof panel with the car bodywork more than trying to align the pin and hole.
But its good to see how the adjustment is done.
Thanks.

[leeburn]

Hey there,
Did you ever try this and get the problem solved..?
Adjusting the nut.. Cheers

[so called]

No, you can see in my last post, I realised that I was trying to line my roof panel up with the body rather than aligning the pin and hole as advised ba S6Boy.
I then realised that there is no problem with the lever assembly but simply an "operator" error (me).
Now have no concerns about secure roof, just that its a 2000 W with poor roof alignment.

[Fume troll]

Do you have the central clip on the inside? My understanding is that this was fitted later and may not have been retrofitted to all the earlier cars.

Cheers,

Tom.

[woowoo]

i,ve got the centre clip inside at the front, mine is an early 2000 as well.