Re: spider convertible latch adjustment

[Bpnmrice@domain.elided]

Robert Hardwick asked about a difficult to latch Spider top. Here is my take.

No tension adjustment. If you find the top too tight to latch, park it in the 
sun for a while with the top mostly up. Won't be long and you will be able to 
latch it fine. 

I just installed a new top and, indeed, the only way to get the tension right 
is where you screw it in at the back. (This assumes that you did not mess up 
the front.) The cables to which you refer have little or nothing to do with 
top tension. From what I can tell, they help keep the edges above the windows 
from flapping in the wind.

Hope this helps.

Bob Rice
Tampa FL
86 Spider


> Is there any way to adjust the tension on a spider's convertible roof
>  latch?  The drivers' side has always been very difficult to latch.  Truly,
>  once latched, the top would be like a drum head, but after leaving it
>  stored with the top down for some months I'm now unable to latch it at all.
>   It's just too tight to draw to its overcenter latched condition.
>  
>  The over-window cables have been broken for years.  I see no adjustments
>  for any other parts of the top and can't believe that the proper tension is
>  simply the result of where you screw down the top at the rear...or if is,
>  the installers have my respect!
>  

------------------------------