Soft top center hook does not line up

[Victor113]

My soft top has always had some alignment issues as the center hook does not latch onto the hole. See pictures . It’s been 14 Months since we used it !  I usually drive with top down but now that we want to close it does not close.

Appreciate your feedback and help. Thank you in advance .

[rwmastel]

I imagine that the missing bolt in the frame from your other thread has something to do with this problem.

[Victor113]

Perhaps! I am trying to locate the bolt top replace and put the required tension on the frame, in addition I will stretch the canvas with hot water and sun, if that does not help will make slight adjusment to fix it, but finding the bolt seems lie a difficult task!

[Pawel66]

Definitely get the screw in first. Chances are it will fix the issue.

[Victor113]

Waiting for the screws but I tried to close from the back first and it droes not latch/click. Now what?

[rwmastel]

Now what?

Search the forums.  Educate yourself a little.  It's very rewarding.  If you don't like our Search feature, just go to Google and type in your words (maybe "soft top pin latch"?) followed by site:sl113.org/forums

Also, as a full member, you have access to our tech manual.
https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Tops/SoftTop

[BobH]

My soft top has always had some alignment issues as the center hook does not latch onto the hole. See pictures . It’s been 14 Months since we used it !  I usually drive with top down but now that we want to close it does not close.

Appreciate your feedback and help. Thank you in advance .

When you say it doesn't line up, do you mean the hook is missing the hole, too far left or right, or just the distance between the hook and hole is excessive, the top doesn't extend far enough back to reach the hole?  How do you normally close the top, front first, and then the rear, or vice versa?

[Victor113]

Sorry the pictures are not the best as I tried to capture it. When I latch the front of the top (traditional closing the top), the rear middle hook is missing the hole by being slightly short (it is not reaching the middle of the hole, not alignment tothe left or right).

I am doing my homework within the forums as there are tons of information and it gets little overwhelming.
Based on the research and suggestions, I tried to close the rear only without latching the front I can make it into the hole but it still does not latch/click. If it did I can force the front to latch by pulling it which would allow it to stretch.

Next I will make slight adjustments to the latching mechanism by loosening the 4 screws to try to make the pin latch into it. And then find a way to stretch the top and reach the front locks to latch! Appreciate everyone support within the community.

Appreciate everyone support within the community.

[BobH]

Have a read on here, the slamming method seems to work on 230's for some owners, not sure what car you have, later cars may use a different method

https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Restricted/PagodaNotes?action=download&upname=PNv6i1US.pdf

[rwmastel]

... not sure what car you have, ...

Victor,

Poke around in your profile settings and find where to make a signature.  Put as much or as little in it as you like, but at least include something about your car.  It's helpful to those trying to help you, and saves you a bit of typing in your posts.

[Victor113]

Good call, thank you will update ASAP

[rwmastel]

Mr Big?  Is your other car an Isetta or Messerschmidt?   

[Victor113]

Hahahah, Mr Big from Sex and the City as the car reminded my wife of him so he was named accordingly many years ago!