Soft top not fitting into rear screen seal properly

[Astra Sport]

Hi folks. I'm new here and looking forward to sharing tips and advice with you all. Problem as suggested in the title is with the canvas top. When closing it the fabric crumples up and so doesn't fit neatly into the `slot' of the rear screen rubber. I think the canvas may have separated from the steel cable therein!! Any ideas? Mine is the later model with fully automatic roof i.e. no handle..

 

[Uncle Benz]

Are you describing a small black piece that seems to stick out between the window and the fabric hood? The rubber hood liner has a pleat that can pucker up and get caught between the two. It is caused by a broken piece of elastic that pulls the "dart" of the pleat out the way when the rear bow comes down onto the deck. If you open the roof so the rear bow is fully up and stop there, the window is separated from the hood and you can explore the section where the pleat and elastic sit. A skilled needle and thread-ist can sew in a new bit of elastic.

 

[Astra Sport]

Sounds like a plan! The `batwing' section certainly crumples at the bottom but the hood fabric itself seems to roll back which makes me think it's come away from the cable. I think there are probably 2 issues... Thankyou for your input, I'll look at that elastic..didn't even know it was there! (only had the car a few weeks, gradually going through the snags). Cheers!

 

[John Laidlaw]

Welcome by the way....

 

[Astra Sport]

Thankyou John. Are you in the Mafia? With the E63?! What a machine...

 

[erhayden]

Are you describing a small black piece that seems to stick out between the window and the fabric hood? The rubber hood liner has a pleat that can pucker up and get caught between the two. It is caused by a broken piece of elastic that pulls the "dart" of the pleat out the way when the rear bow comes down onto the deck. If you open the roof so the rear bow is fully up and stop there, the window is separated from the hood and you can explore the section where the pleat and elastic sit. A skilled needle and thread-ist can sew in a new bit of elastic.

I had the exact same problem. As you suggested I found the corner of the pleat and sewed a piece of elastic to it and then secured it to the frame of the soft top while stretching it slightly. This worked for me, thanks.
Before the fix.

Sewed the elastic

Secured the elastic

After the fix