Clattery roof stay

[steve-v8s]

What is the fix for a loose roof stay ? One side only has started to rattle. Looking at it there seems to be play in the pins, both end pieces and the over center bit. Is it worth replacing the pins or is it perhaps down to alignment of the rear roof section. A dealer had this off recently when he broke the rear window.

[Griffter]

steve-v8s said:

What is the fix for a loose roof stay ? One side only has started to rattle. Looking at it there seems to be play in the pins, both end pieces and the over center bit. Is it worth replacing the pins or is it perhaps down to alignment of the rear roof section. A dealer had this off recently when he broke the rear window.

The tension on the pins is down to the fit of the rear window. If the dealer broke the window, replaced it and now one of the stays rattles, he didn't fit the window as well as he might have.
You can try adjusting the stays using packing washers on the mounting bolts, twisting them slightly etc. But at the end of the day (IMHO) it's down to the fit of the window.

I used to have a stay so loose it'd regularly 'pop' into the bent position. When I had a new rear screen fitted, the guy set up the tension so that everything is now as it should be.

[barreti]

It's possible the roof stay wasn't tightened up enough when it was refitted.

There are two ends, the one against the rear parcel shelf and the one on the hoop.
With the stay popped open, try easing off the nuts holding it to the hoop, pushing the bracket forward and retightening the nuts.

[steve-v8s]

Yep, I will try easing the fittings a little, didn’t think of doing that, thanks for the suggestion. Sort of assumed it was the fit that was wrong as it matches every thing else the dealer left loose / didn’t put back properly.

[Horse_Apple]

Hi,

Sounds like a similar problem I had. Over time one of the strutts began to rattle and appeared loose.

I unbolted the end on the back parcel shelf and inserted a couple of bits of cardboard to act as soft washers.

They took up the full slack and everything was snug and sturdy again.

[shadowfax]

I tried the cardboard washer & it works fine.

However, is it normal for the windscreen to shift forward ever so slightly, maybe by as much as 5- 10 mm at the top, when you lock them into place with the roof on? I know it must be secure but is it designed to flex a little at the bottom or does this create a problem with wear & tear long term?

Edited by shadowfax on Sunday 9th July 17:42

[Horse_Apple]

Hi,

I don't think so. Do you actually mean that the whole screen et al can be seen moving forward as if being pushed by the panel?

I've never noticed any kind of movement personally.

[esdavey]

I had the same problem with the bolts from the stay to the rear bulhead being loose but tight !!!

The nuts were not open ended and with too much stud showing, the nut was tight before it made solid contact. Couple of washers did the trick.

[shadowfax]

Horse_Apple said:

Hi,

I don't think so. Do you actually mean that the whole screen et al can be seen moving forward as if being pushed by the panel?

I've never noticed any kind of movement personally.

Hi, HA....

Put the roof into place at the top of the screen in it's groove; offer the top to it by straightening the stays; the top engages into the screen at the top making the gap smaller as this happens; as they lock tight, they secure the roof into place; in doing so, there is slight forward movement of the top of the screen, as if it flexes a few mm, to take up the strain added by the roof stays straightening; so securing the lid to the screen and making everything taut.

There is a mild movement at the bottom of the screen. When the roof is off, there is no free play in the windscreen as such; but if pressure is applied, it moves a small amount, yes