Rear window protection / window stays
Rear window protection / window stays
Author
Discussion

Smokey Boyer

Original Poster:

509 posts

160 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
quotequote all
Just got an S3, and new to TVR.

When the back part of the roof is up, the window stays seem to go too far back, and the outer corners of the stay are pressing on the window. This may well be normal, or it could be that the stays need some attention / replacing. The previous owner has recently had a new window stitched in to the hood, and it will be a shame to damage it. There are already a couple of marks on it.

So my question is, is this normal?

If it is normal, is there a way of protecting the vinyl screen from getting damaged? I have thought about putting a pair of those seat belt pads around the stays to cover over the square corners of the stays.

Any suggestions on how to protect the screen welcome. I already know about folding a towel in to the roof as it is folded down.








v8s4me

7,275 posts

248 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
quotequote all
Yes it's normal. You'll find some information on the roof stays here

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Seat belt pads are ideal.

Smokey Boyer

Original Poster:

509 posts

160 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
quotequote all
Thanks for the reply.

Having looked at the images, those window stays look very different to what is in my car. They are black box section metal, and seem to go further back than that.

I will get some pictures tomorrow.

v8s4me

7,275 posts

248 months

Tuesday 21st May 2013
quotequote all
You have the original ones. The alloy ones are from a Chim and retro-fitted.

Smokey Boyer

Original Poster:

509 posts

160 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2013
quotequote all
Are they a direct swap part? Any idea on the price of a pair - there are some Chims up for breaking on ebay.

Ragtop

592 posts

230 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2013
quotequote all
v8s4me said:
Yes it's normal. You'll find some information on the roof stays here

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Seat belt pads are ideal.
No, it's NOT normal. There should be no contact between the rear screen and the stays when the rear section is erected. You definitely need some protection on the stays until you fix this. Others will say just keep the roof down all the time...! Sounds like they are worn or damaged.

Graham

Smokey Boyer

Original Poster:

509 posts

160 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2013
quotequote all
I think, from looking at some photos that they could be worn.

Only one of them has the strap over the hinge on the window side, which I assume stops them opening too far. Both have small splits in the bottom of the corners of the upper metal part on the seat side, again which look like they allow the stays to spring too far back to the window.

Are these repairable, or is it a case of replacing them. The alloy Chim ones look very nice - are they a direct replacement?

Roy C

4,213 posts

313 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2013
quotequote all
Smokey Boyer said:
The alloy Chim ones look very nice - are they a direct replacement?
Almost. You'll need to either drill a second hole below the original hole in the rear bulkhead, as the alloy struts are slightly longer, or enlarge the existing hole.

Smokey Boyer

Original Poster:

509 posts

160 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2013
quotequote all
Any idea on the going rate for a pair of alloy struts, and where to get them from?

phillpot

17,509 posts

212 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2013
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100 - 120 ish was the norm but a pair recently went for about £200 on Ebay !

(check out the thread v8s4me linked to)

v8s4me

7,275 posts

248 months

Wednesday 22nd May 2013
quotequote all
I would have thought any decent fabricator would be able to make up new ones out of mild steel. On my original steel ones there was a strip of felt or something to protect the plastic screen but the struts were so worn it was useless and offered no protection to the screen so it was quite badly scratched when I got it. A bit of hard work with T-cut got it nice and clear again though. As far a fitting the alloy ones go, you might be lucky and they fit into the existing holes – mine did, but it was a very hot day. They will probably still rub the screen though (see my earlier link).

Smokey Boyer

Original Poster:

509 posts

160 months

Thursday 30th May 2013
quotequote all
Picked up a pair of mechanically good TVR S original windows stays from ebay for £20 plus postage.

An hour or two with the sand paper, and a can of black spray later and they look as good as new.

Fitted them this evening, and the difference is incredible. They are well clear of the screen, which is also much tighter when the roof is up.

Very happy.