Before I start mucking about with some spanners...

[Prunus]

I'm looking to remove the hood on my 96 Chim.

The clear plastic window has decided it no longer wants to be seen with the rest of the hood and is making a bid for freedom.

It's slowly managed to work some of the stitching around it loose, and needs teaching a lesson.

I need to take the whole hood off in order that an upholsterer can redo the stitching.

There's nothing in the bible about it; so before I go and wreck something, can anyone give me any advice on how to do it?

Or at the very least, tell me why the little window doesn't love the rest of the car anymore.

[plunkett]

prunus dont know how much has come adrift but i had same problem in each bottom corner that gets stretched over the seat belt mounts.So went and bought some strong nylon thread some needles and a thimble, followed the original stiching line and did it myself.In fact i would say its as good if not better than before.Oh yes you will need a pair of pliers as these come in handy to push/pull the needle through.

[Prunus]

Thanks for that, but I've got a 'tame' upholsterer down the road who is in love with the car (she's got a Mazda rag top) and will do it for nothing on her giant sewing machine if I can only get the top off.

That's the car top, not hers.............

[shnozz]

i wouldn't use spanners on it to be honest

[spend]

Well if you really want to:

3 x 10mm bolts on studs under back edge, middle of boot and at each side of wings - very limited access, good ratcheting spanner essential! You should be able to just feel where they are thru the material.

Unbolt the 2 rear stays.

Unplug the light coupling behind passenger seat and pull thru the carpet trim.

Undo the 2 pivot bolts on the hoop & lift off. Note location of washers & spacers so you can refit (as usual & dont forget a little copper slip).

There are other threads on this if you search I'm sure....

HTH, Dave

[Prunus]

Thanks Spend, you're a hero!

[spend]

Prunus said:

Thanks Spend, you're a hero!

Shouldn't be thankful until you've got the first 3 nuts off & the glass splints out of your fingers/arms....

Its the only way to really clean the car tho, just like I take the engine out to waxoyl :-)

[Incorrigible]

He's completely correct on how to remove it

However, the rollover bar and the bit that goes around the bottom are solid, i.e. won't go through a sewing machine

If you just need it re-stiched, do it in situ IMHO

>> Should add that a racheting spanner not completly necessary as you can undo the allen bolts from the other side (2 people helpfull though) and don't forget to disconnect the interior light

>> and again sorry he already mentioned the light

>> Edited by Incorrigible on Thursday 27th May 12:03

[spend]

Incorrigible said:

>> Should add that a racheting spanner not completly necessary as you can undo the allen bolts from the other side

If you are referring to the rear base of the hood, I think most cars have the factory studs hidden under the material. Allen bolts sound like an after-market addition to me.

Did personally think about this in conjunction with a tonneau tho. Do miss that flapping cover at speed on the 348, NOT!

Dave

[Incorrigible]

spend said:

If you are referring to the rear base of the hood, I think most cars have the factory studs hidden under the material. Allen bolts sound like an after-market addition to me.

I was and mine were like that when I got it didn't know there was another option

BTW you might need a ratchet spanner