A&Q about Lotus
Q:
Hi All -
I just bought an Elise last night and am having a problem getting the hardtop on correctly. The top seems to be seated properly with the front brackets of the top inserted into the windshield header. But when I go to tighten the two Torx bolts all they do is spin and will not tighten. The rears are fine.
I called two dealers and both said they've never heard of the happening. Since that part of the top is enclosed, I can't see what's happening inside. Anyone experience this before? Thought on how to correct this. TIA!
Jay
A:
Perhaps the threads just aren't catching? While pushing the bolts in and turning them, wiggle them around to help them locate and engage the mating threads. Those bolts can float around a lot when unfastened.
Can we assume that you removed the top from your Elise, and thus the front bolts did at one point in time work?
A:
Another idea - be sure the front of the hardtop is sitting properly in its channel. Meaning, not sticking up much past the windshield header. You should be able to gently adjust it so it drops into place front and rear.
A:
I had exactly the same thing happen to me last week on my first install of the hard top. The threads eventually caught after I gave the wrench a bit more upward pressure.
A:
Originally Posted by catapult
I had exactly the same thing happen to me last week on my first install of the hard top. The threads eventually caught after I gave the wrench a bit more upward pressure.
+1
A:
My front pass. side wouldn't tighten.
My dealer got 'inserts' of some kind from Lotus to install to fix it, these didn't work and I am not awaiting a complete hardtop replacement.
If they are not tightening you should see a dealer about it.
A:
Originally Posted by Donbecker
My front pass. side wouldn't tighten.
My dealer got 'inserts' of some kind from Lotus to install to fix it, these didn't work and I am not awaiting a complete hardtop replacement.
If they are not tightening you should see a dealer about it.
Mine was front pass aswell. Loosening the front driver's side also helped.
A:
Yes, the top was previously installed so it must have worked for the other owner. Thanks all for the great advice, I'll give another try tonight.
A:
Originally Posted by catapult
Mine was front pass aswell. Loosening the front driver's side also helped.
Mine just kept turning and turning and turning and turning and turning and turning...you get the idea.
A:
Hi JayJ:
I haven't tried to remove the hard top on my '06 yet, so this thread caught my eye! In the owner's manual on page 86 it explains the procedure for installing the top. You didn't say whether you read it or not, but it gives some helpful (?) advice.
Paragraph 1 says to position the rear edge of the roof first.
Paragraph 2-4 cautions to NOT fully tighten the bolts until all are threaded (front and rear).
And finally, paragraph 6 says to push the roof fully forward before tightening the bolts.
Hope you figure it out - and then tell ME how!
A:
FWIW, the bolts neck down to no thread roughly 1/4" up from the end. So, they look like....
~1/4" threaded
~3/8" slender (about 3/16" thick) with no thread
~1/2" threaded
T40(?) head
It's not a continuous thread and it can make them a bit of a pain to get in.
A:
tighten the back two bolts first.
I consulted the manual because i was frustrated. Not only does it not explain properly or in order, they say you should take it to the dealer!
ha
A:
As mentioned in post #11 above, the bolts are a strange configuration - that gives them a ton of wiggle, but they must line up properly to engage (ie. means you've got to fiddle with them a lot just to get them to line up).
Also, the bolts are not very long. On mine, I have to gently press down on the top (to compress the rubber gaskets) in order for the bolts to be long enough to engage the threads.
Be VERY careful, its easy to strip them and then you've got a bigger problem.
Not real sure that the order matters (front vs rear), but don't tighten any until all 4 are started.