Roof panel blown off at 100mph
Discussion
Just had terrifying experience, first time of serious over 100mph motoring and the roof panel blew off landing in the middle of a 4 lane motorway.
That was scarey what was terrifying was tring to retreive it from the third lane
Know it was stupid but it was still intact when I stopped and got back to it so I had to chance it.
This just happened on the main highway here between Dubai and Abu Dhabi where the traffic is super fast and very congested.
Perhaps new Olympic sport? the 50 meter dash and roof retreival in 80mph traffic, tell you though, I havn't run as fast as that in a long time.
The only consolation is that the muppet that was tailgating me in a 4x4, one of the reasons I was caning it was to get away from him, took the full force right in the middle of his windscreen, he didn't stop so it probably isn't smashed but hopefully it made him sh1t himself
Unfortunately the roof has been run over twice
so I think is beyond repair though I may patch it using my surboard repair kit to tide me till a new one arrives.
Douglas valley breakers have one at 175 quid, is this a reasonable price, he reckons it is in good nick and is going to send a photo later.
Few questions - what on earth caused it to blow off, has this happened before to anyone else? With the history of the car being unknown and not having anything to compare it to I wonder if there were seals missing? And mostly how can I stop it happening again? How is the front section held in? Is it only the pressure of the struts and if so do I need to adjust them to tighten the tension?
the roof felt tight but v clearly wasn't..
That was scarey what was terrifying was tring to retreive it from the third lane
Know it was stupid but it was still intact when I stopped and got back to it so I had to chance it. This just happened on the main highway here between Dubai and Abu Dhabi where the traffic is super fast and very congested.
Perhaps new Olympic sport? the 50 meter dash and roof retreival in 80mph traffic, tell you though, I havn't run as fast as that in a long time.
The only consolation is that the muppet that was tailgating me in a 4x4, one of the reasons I was caning it was to get away from him, took the full force right in the middle of his windscreen, he didn't stop so it probably isn't smashed but hopefully it made him sh1t himself
Unfortunately the roof has been run over twice
so I think is beyond repair though I may patch it using my surboard repair kit to tide me till a new one arrives. Douglas valley breakers have one at 175 quid, is this a reasonable price, he reckons it is in good nick and is going to send a photo later.
Few questions - what on earth caused it to blow off, has this happened before to anyone else? With the history of the car being unknown and not having anything to compare it to I wonder if there were seals missing? And mostly how can I stop it happening again? How is the front section held in? Is it only the pressure of the struts and if so do I need to adjust them to tighten the tension?
the roof felt tight but v clearly wasn't..
Yes, this does happen from time to time. Search the forums for examples. Panel usually seems to dissapear into the wild blue yonder, never to return. Badly aligned roof panel, loose struts, badly fitted windscreen could all contribute. I imagine there are some pretty big aerodynamic forces on the windscreen, roof panel, and rear section of the roof when driving at speed. You only need an inch or so of movement between them and the overlap at the front or rear lip could be overcome.
I have heard it said that you can't guarantee a roof panel from another car will fit yours. Don't know if this is really true ... frankly even by TVR standards that seems daft. Maybe the rear hoop needs to be adjusted if you replace the panel.
I have heard it said that you can't guarantee a roof panel from another car will fit yours. Don't know if this is really true ... frankly even by TVR standards that seems daft. Maybe the rear hoop needs to be adjusted if you replace the panel.
Windscreen may be the key to this then since it was replaced not long ago. I will have to see what the new roof looks fits like, judging by the make up of the wrecked one it should be possible to trim it to make a better fit,l don't really have a choice, got to have a hood its too bloody hot without it.
Windscreen surround is almost certainly wrong I need to have a good look at this and work out what to do.
I am getting a new windscreen rubber but didn't know whether it was going to be worth changing it, looks as if I will have to know, risk is the screen breaking though and that would be a major pisser since no replacements available locally.
I am getting a new windscreen rubber but didn't know whether it was going to be worth changing it, looks as if I will have to know, risk is the screen breaking though and that would be a major pisser since no replacements available locally.
Ever seen the gap that appears above you at upper motorway speeds if you've only flexed one strut? It's easily done and I suspect that this is the most likely reason for losing the roof (unless of course the windscreen has been poorly fitted and the force vector on the screen surround at the contact point with the roof is inadequate).
Having seen a gap appear in the corner between the screen surround, the roof panel and the top of the door glass I'm super careful about checking both struts are flexed before driving with the roof on.
Having seen a gap appear in the corner between the screen surround, the roof panel and the top of the door glass I'm super careful about checking both struts are flexed before driving with the roof on.
hut49 said:
Ever seen the gap that appears above you at upper motorway speeds if you've only flexed one strut? It's easily done and I suspect that this is the most likely reason for losing the roof
A mate of mine told me he lost a roof on his wedge about ten years ago on the M62.....reason, he was lazy and only secured it on one catch.
Stopped to retrieve it, only to find it had been crushed by a lorry......
Gavstar said:
Arent we missing the point here ?
WTF are you doing with the roof on ??????
He lives in Dubai where it's about 40+ degrees and very dusty!
I'd sell my gonads to medical science for the opportunity to blaze around the middle east with the top down wearing some goggles and a shemargh 'a la Lawrence of Arabia...
Not sure which deserves a medal more, dashing across Shiekh Zayed highway or driving a TIV in the Middle East. I was convinced they wouldn't take the heat, but did see a Cerbera for sale in a garage near DXB once. Back out your way in just over a week if I can help (apart from roof panel as hand baggage
)
)One of the items that seems to always get checked when I take my Chim into the factory for a service is the tension of the rear roof struts. Hadn't really paid much attention to it. Now I know why they check them
m4rk
www.markandlinda.co.uk
m4rk
www.markandlinda.co.uk
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