Solution to Soft-top juddering and Jamming

[ColSmart]

My softtop roof is really slowing down in cold weather when closing, specifically where the track turns from vertical to horizontal near the top, it now judders at that point due to friction of the track ?, then moves on, till it closes slowly.

I assume this is due to the canvas being stiff, so there is more friction on bends, as the two push rods slides the roof up the track runners.

I noticed a few comments previously with roadster owners having the roof slowing down or jambing nearer the end of travel while closing.

Any solutions ? Lubrication ?

[madDan]

Re: Softtop roof juddering

My softtop roof is really slowing down in cold weather when closing, specifically where the track turns from vertical to horizontal near the top, it now judders at that point due to friction of the track ?, then moves on, till it closes slowly.

I assume this is due to the canvas being stiff, so there is more friction on bends, as the two push rods slides the roof up the track runners.

I noticed a few comments previously with roadster owners having the roof slowing down or jambing nearer the end of travel while closing.

Any solutions ? Lubrication ?

Check the interface between the roofbar rail and the part that is permenantly mounted at the back ie the bit the rail mates up against, are they perfectly aligned? if not this could cause extra friction when the runners are pulling past this join.

[ColSmart]

Re: Softtop roof Juddering

****THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ALL SOFT-TOP OWNERS****

This was one horrible problem that can happen to any of us at any time. It is solved, by someone's writeup (cant remember where its from).

Because the canvas is stiff in winter, as it comes out vertically from inside the car to the start of the horizontal section on the outside, the softtop itself can jamb up (usually the last third of the roof) and thats what the judder and jambs are all about :eek:

What happens, is that as the roof is folded into the back, if you look in through the boot lid you should see three folds of softtop at the back, when in the fully open parked position. This is the normal setup.

If you see only two then your in trouble. Thats what I had.

Each fold represents one third of the roof folding in on itself. The problem lies with the last third folding in on itself the wrong way and when you press roof up, the last third of the roof is folded as a 'V' shape instead of an '^', so gets caught up on the bend.

Solution.,, Lower roof, Open boot, Ensure you always have three folds and run your fingers each side of the fold compressing to keep the fold shape, so when it goes out onto the top horizontal section it is ALWAYS in a '^' shape.

Check this often all year, especially in winter because the canvas is stiff.

If you only have two folds, drop the passenger seat down to look in the boot, open the roof, down until the bottom third section of the roof is almost folded into the parked position, you will see this fold going the wrong way, so you prod it the right way as the other two folds.

Then park the roof fully parked open, go round to the boot, you will now see three folds instead of two, use your fingers to compress the folds, but dont end up creasing it to much. Roof opens and closes easy now.

Problem solved, But always keep an eye on the three folds :smile:

PS ,,, If someone finds that writeup, please put in a link, as this is definately a design problem and should be watched all the time by roadster owners.

[Damo]

Re: Lubricate the softtop roof for winter?

My new one does this but only got it in November so the roofs not been down really at all but I intend to checked its folded correctly when its warmer.

[ColSmart]

Re: Lubricate the softtop roof for winter?

My new one does this but only got it in November so the roofs not been down really at all but I intend to checked its folded correctly when its warmer.

Is it the third fold thats the wrong way when parked open or one of the others?

[Damo]

Re: Lubricate the softtop roof for winter?

Yep its the naughty one nearest the back looped in \/ and catches the rubber seals. A quick "poke" upwards and its fine. I've been told to make sure it folds down correctly and it'll eventually learn the position.

[ColSmart]

Re: Lubricate the softtop roof for winter?

I tried mine out today twice in freezing temperatures and it worked fine, with all the folds pointing '^' , thus going over that top rubber seal where it can jamb up.

So the compressing of the folds works great

[bus_ter]

Re: Solution to Soft-top juddering and Jamming

I had a nightmare with this issue when I first got the car. My roof juddered and struggled to close, it didn't seem right so I took the car back to the dealer. They said it was just because the car was new and would smooth out over time...

A couple weeks later the judder was so bad that the motor burnt out! The roof motor just gave up :frown:

Back to the dealer (after a 2 week wait for a booking) they diagnosed the problem and ordered a new motor. This took 2 weeks to arrive, they then called to make an an apponitment (further 2 weeks). I finally dropped the car off and grabbed a Taxi to work. By the end of the afternoon I hadn't heard anything so I called them up... "Sorry sir we couldn't fit the new motor because Germany had sent the wrong part". :censor: At this point I acturally lost it! Why did it take until the end of the day, after I had booked my car in for them to realise this! I was told they would need to re-order the part again and this would take another couple of weeks. (Haven't they heard of fed-ex?) This was all really bad because the summer weeks were passing by and I couldn't use the roof
Finally after a few more weeks they got the motor and it was fitted, apparently this required removing and refitting the roof. They did a REALLY bad job at this. I didn't realise at the time but you could see daylight if you looked in the corner from inside the car. The next time it rained, it leaks. And I don't mean a dribble, it quite literallly poured in. I know, because I was driving the car at the time and had to plug the hole with shirt! I took the car back again, and again, and again. Each time they readjusted the roof and it leaked a little less (it's now only a dribble in heavy rain).

During this time the roof was still juddering, they still said there was nothing wrong and it would loosen up. It wasn't until I found a thread on (the then) FunkySmart and realised the problem all along was just the way the roof had folded!

If only I had come here in the first place!

[alfa.gray]

Re: Solution to Soft-top juddering and Jamming

I bet you was gutted mate...
Hope your roof is sorted now???
Enjoy the summer in your roady. I know I will

[bus_ter]

Re: Solution to Soft-top juddering and Jamming

My first year of Roadster ownership was a rollercoaster ride for sure! Most of the faults have been fixed now and I'm hoping this year will be trouble free! :goodlk: