General Raising/ lowering hood

[beacon]

The wife wants to drive the B all by herself (I knew it would happen), but cant manage to put the hood up and down as she finds it too heavy, any tips on how I can make it easer for her, any lady drivers with there experience!

Chris

 

[Alan.D]

Chris it's a pretty light roof but maybe if she is lifting it from the edge rather than nearer the centre it can be heavier. I can't think of any aids off hand but there was something a while ago about an electric roof?

 

[Lima]

My hood is almost impossible to lift without bursting internal organs, and that's because the gas struts have had it. When the car was new, I needed to strap the roof down when stowed to allow the tonneau cover to close easily, but that's not the case any more. I need new struts... perhaps yours are gone too? Just a thought

 

[BIKER-BITZ]

How about a Gym membership

 

[beacon]

Lima "Gas struts"? don't think I got any of them, We will have a go at trying to lift it from nearer the center that may help, My lads old Z4 had a great electric hood, I read the posts on that thought re the B and it seems to be a it of an impossibility,

 

[Lima]

No struts? No wonder it's heavy - If you look down where the hinge of the hood is, you should see the top 'knuckle' where the strut meets the frame. Beyond is a short strut. I have tried another B with working struts and it was a sight easier to lift. Despite this, yes you should always lift the roof from the middle where the handle is to evenly load the frame mechanism.

Marky

 

[Alan.D]

Well you learn something new everyday, I had no idea there was gas struts in there so thanks very much for that

 

[Richkeoghuk]

Hi all,

The barchettaparts.com guy was selling some beefed up struts when I attended the netherlands owners club meeting a few years ago. He put some on one of the cars there and you could lift the hood out of it's tonneau with fingertips.

regards

Rich

 

[beacon]

You sure, I have had a good look and cant see anything that resembles a gas strut, you would have seen something Alan when you replaced your hood surely? can they be retro fitted?

Chris

 

[Alan.D]

Don't go near the inside of the pillar when changing the hood but will have a look in eper....BACK IN 5....

*edit*

Well there you go, part No7 at £27 ish a side.

 

[beacon]

"Solution for easy closed softop." I don't know how to do a link but this is what "Barchettaparts.com" call them and sell them for 80 euro a pair, might be worth dropping them an email,

 

[Alan.D]

http://www.barchettaparts.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/263

Does it easy open as well then?

re link...Just cut n paste mate, right click on the link & select copy or cut, once on the post reply, right click & select paste, as long as you haven't changed the HTML settings (which I very much doubt you have) all should be fine.

 

[doolahrock]

Slightly off topic, but i see that site has hood rubbers for 40 euro each. Do you think they are new or used?

http://www.barchettaparts.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/1/products_id/236

 

[Alan.D]

Look new but the only way to tell is to ask.....

 

[Zem]

Slightly off topic, but i see that site has hood rubbers for 40 euro each. Do you think they are new or used?

http://www.barchettaparts.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/1/products_id/236

Look new but the only way to tell is to ask.....

I would assume used. I did enquire about them and you will need to send a photo of each rubber seal required to ensure the correct piece.

 

[F4usT]

all parts from that site are probably used. but 80€ for two pieces is ok price, because I called local Fiat dealer and they said about 90€ per piece.
it is a bit overpriced piece of rubber.

 

[beacon]

reply from Henk

"I fit it in 2 seconds its very easy and it works perfect its 350 Newton so 100 Newton more than the originaal
Price includit shipping is 85 euro

Regards Henk"

I think I will give them a shot after my Hols

Chris

 

[desert rat]

Would be interesting to find out if they are new??

My hood rubbers are in terrible shape, 50 % rubber 50 % silicone.... formed to the shape I think they should be... It only rains here a couple of times a year if we are lucky so I just can't justify spending fiat prices on them seeing as my hood is mostly down or I have the hard top on. I have tried everywhere I can think of to see if manufacturers will supply it in 30 metre lengths but most never even bothered to reply. would love to know where he gets them made...

 

[doolahrock]

I would assume used. I did enquire about them and you will need to send a photo of each rubber seal required to ensure the correct piece.

Thought for a moment some genius had managed to get them manufactured themselves and do them way cheaper than FIAT.

Probably right though, for that price I would guess used. I'll ask though.

 

[wish mine was orange]

ok blond moment still cant see gas strut bit can some one put a pic up for me please?
my way to get roof up is put up hand in middle and a hand on edge lean on body to avoid back strain and away we go !!! but yp its is heavy.