Mk3 roadster / coupe roof seal split

[new_bloke]

Hi All,

I have a 2006 roadster / coupe. A couple of days ago, I noticed that the roof seal between the main panel and the rear section had a split in it. My mazda dealer wants £400.84 for a new one (just the part, inc. VAT) and mx5 parts is doing the same part for a still eye-watering £277 inc VAT.
A couple of questions:
1) has anyone ever experienced this before? The dealer reckoned they'd only ever had to replace one, due to rodent damage. Any ideas how it might have happened?
2) does anyone have any idea how to remove / refit this part?

All information would be very gratefully received indeed!

A couple of pictures:

It's this seal:


And here's a closeup of the damage:

[LordJammy]

I doubt fitting it would be too hard once you actually get your hands on it and have a proper look but if it was my car, I would definitely get an OE Mazda seal. I've fitted a few seals into convertibles and the lookalike stuff never ever goes in as well as the genuine part.

[new_bloke]

The tricky part is that the seal runs the width of the roof, down the side and actually part of the way along the under side of the rear deck. Any guidance on this would be good. At that money I don't want to bog it up!
The mx5parts seal is genuine OE, according to them...

[MX-5 Lazza]

MX5 Parts will only stock parts that they can sell. That suggests that it's a common enough fault for them to see a market in it.

[LordJammy]

I was thinking about this again today and after a bit of googling I found this:
http://www.miata.net/garage/Mazda%20MX-5%20PRHT%20...

It's a Mazda manual on removing the folding hardtop, I reckon if you took the lid off you'd get a better look at the seal and how to replace it. If you recruited a helper it'd be easy I reckon.

[new_bloke]

Thanks for that. Not sure I'd describe that as easy!! At least it's clearly explained. I hoping removal won't be needed though. The seal is due to be delivered today. I'll report back when I have had a look.
I'd still be *very* interested to hear if there's anyone out there who's been through this before!

[snotrag]

Ask the question on the MX5OC in the UK, and Miata.net - if anyone knows about it, that lot will.

[new_bloke]

Thanks for that - there's a lengthy thread on miata.net on this here http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=519515
My seal turned up on Friday - it's a pretty complicated looking moulding, so I can see why it's expensive (not sure it justifies being *that* expensive though!).
According to the miata.net thread, it can be replaced without removing the roof, which is a relief, but it does look a little fiddly.
I'll let you all know how it goes!

[new_bloke]

Finally: an update! I got round to fitting the new seal today, given that it wasn't freezing cold and / or raining for the first time in a while. It went reasonably straightforwardly - it's just just a question of cleaning all the old glue off first (I used autoglym tar spot remover and an old AA card to scrape). Then fitting the new seal was relatively easy, but it's important not to push in the fasteners or pull the strips off the adhesive before you're absolutely positive the seal's in the right place. The fasteners push in by hand (just) and the adhesive strip tapes can be removed in situ, which is rather clever.
So, if you find yourself in the situation where this seal splits - don't despair - get a new one from MX5parts and fit it yourself

[g40steve]

Good job, you should of took photos & done a how to.
How long from start to finish?

[new_bloke]

g40steve said:

Good job, you should of took photos & done a how to.
How long from start to finish?

All in all, it took just under three hours. The most time-consuming bit was removing all the old adhesive. I'd have taken photos, but to be honest, it wouldn't add anything to what was in the miata.net thread I linked to above...
Shame I won't get to enjoy it - the car's being chopped in for something sensible at the end of this week. I shall miss it very much...