Hood Removal

Hood Removal
Notes: Removing the hood is usually done to replace it. Given its weight, if the hard top is to be on for a length of time, there is also something to be said for removing it during the winter months. Another plus for this idea is that is gives you access the parcel shelf with the hard top fitted. To do this, contrary to popular belief, you will only need to buy two 10mm nuts. The hood frame is threaded and the original bolts secure into it. Therefore, the nuts are needed to replace the frame in order to fix the hard top brackets back in their original position sans hood. No spacers are required. Refitting is the reverse of the above. Things to note when refitting are as follows: Firstly, re-positioning the hood frame is best done with the aid of a friend. There is no adjustment in the hood frame at the mounting points, as far as I am aware, adjustment to make the car weather tight is accomplished with the windows. The trim clips for the T bar comprise two parts. A male and a female. Occasionally they stay together in either the T bar or the mounting and need to be separated prior to re-fitting. The female part is a push fit component & the male part needs to slide onto its "button" mounting. The T bar mounts onto an aluminium angle, which can have a sharp edge. Although the above instructions do not bring you into direct contact with this angle, it is worth being aware of it to prevent accidents.

Notes:

Removing the hood is usually done to replace it. Given its weight, if the hard top is to be on for a length of time, there is also something to be said for removing it during the winter months. Another plus for this idea is that is gives you access the parcel shelf with the hard top fitted. To do this, contrary to popular belief, you will only need to buy two 10mm nuts. The hood frame is threaded and the original bolts secure into it. Therefore, the nuts are needed to replace the frame in order to fix the hard top brackets back in their original position sans hood. No spacers are required.

Refitting is the reverse of the above. Things to note when refitting are as follows:

Firstly, re-positioning the hood frame is best done with the aid of a friend.
There is no adjustment in the hood frame at the mounting points, as far as I am aware, adjustment to make the car weather tight is accomplished with the windows.
The trim clips for the T bar comprise two parts. A male and a female. Occasionally they stay together in either the T bar or the mounting and need to be separated prior to re-fitting. The female part is a push fit component & the male part needs to slide onto its "button" mounting.
The T bar mounts onto an aluminium angle, which can have a sharp edge. Although the above instructions do not bring you into direct contact with this angle, it is worth being aware of it to prevent accidents.