Hi all Whats the easiest way to replace the T-Top Centre Bar? How easy is it? How long would it take on average? I believe there are nuts under the bolts that I have to get to - is this right. Can I access it from the roof console? Do I have to pull the lining from the front or rear or both or not at all? Anything I need to know when doing it/ tips or tricks Anyone know if theres instructions/ or how to's anywhere on doing this as well - or key words to find a relevant post in regards to replacing one Thanks for reading this post Regards Jamie - Misszens other half :zlove:
yes you have to remove the head lining. So visors off centre light out, targas off, plastic covers off at the B pillars, Rear hatch struts disconnected. A pillar covers off, Targa finisher strips pulled. Then undo the targa hook bolts and replace the hook. A bit of a long job this one.
only a long just becuase you are starting at the wrong end of the trim.. IE the roof panel is tucked under the rear 1/4 panels which are tucked under the rear boot panels etc... but yes the rubber edging just pulls away, then take the mirror and sun things off, then light etc panel and it will drop down from the front and youll get to most if not all bolts shouldnt take more than 30mins to hour max to do it..
Will I have problems with the roof lining staying firm etc - or does it go back nice and neat naturally? cheers as always - thanks tektrader how long do you reckon tektrader - off hand? loud n proud says an hour (you must be the fastest in the west loud n proud)
thats what she said... but then i was like "woman.. who said you could talk... where's my sandwich" Its really not that hard (also what she said) tek is just shit (guess who said that) na its not but... remember once u pop the plastic cover off the mirror it is not bolted on.. the mirror is clipped on as it is designed to come off in a crash so keep that in mind when taking it off.. the roof does go back flat yes.. if you want ot remove the whole roof all you need ot do as the back is take off the top bolts to the rear 1/4 panels and they will bend in more than enough to slide the roof panel out... remember the roof is just cardboard with trim over it
not too bad you can do it without pulling the roof lining right out, just be carefull!. use a 1/4" drive socket set and 8 or 10mm socket (cant remember which size it is) with extentions where you need to. Should only take an hour with a beer or 2 thrown in . Call me an old Pi$$ head but I could never work on the zed without beer Hope this helps, Andy
It's an easy job, but a little time consuming and fiddly. Roof lining comes off and goes back on just as easily. It's all super straight forward
So - just to clarify - I can do this without pulling the rear section off but just lower the front part enough to get at it - is this right?
I replaced the black center bar cover a couple weeks ago. It was relatively easy to do. I found pics of how to do this on net can't find now. You do need to remove the roof liner but as the pics showed me and as I found out for myself you do not need to fully remove the roof liner you can leave the rear attached and just let it hang down (saves removing seatbelts, hatch struts etc to get panels off to remove rear of liner - relief when I found I didn't have to do that). Remove lights on roof - easy to do. Remove edge moulding/trim (whatever you call it) - easy to do but getting front one back on is hard. Only hard bit is removing rear view mirror. I do not know how anyone does this without destroying the cap that covers the mirror roof join. I ended up drilling holes in the cap to be able to get to the 3 screws that hold the mirror on (still waiting for replacement part form CZP but that is another story). Even now that I know how the cap clips on I don't know how anyone pulls it off (its not really made to pull off). I guess is you pulled it apart at the center where the clips are before pulling down you might get it. Then just unbolt old t-bar cover and bolt on new one. Over all fairly easy (but will need new mirror join cap).
I use a very technical method for mirror removal.... i grab the stalk and yank. It clicks off the holding clip undamaged EVERY time i have done it (then you have access to the screws holding the retainer onto the roof). without the right tool, getting a screwdriver under the plastic is very difficult with it fitted there. I have some undamaged plastics if you cant find one btw.
From memory I think there is a wire clip thing in the retainer so I can see what you say (the stalk yank) probably would work. Not surprised I didn't think of that myself though, didn't have the heart to try that though the thought did briefly cross my mind (though now I know its doable I might if I had to do it again). Certainly fiddling with the plastic cap with a screw driver risks damaging your liner ($1000 liner vs $5 cap, I went with the cap). Thanks for the offer but one is already on the way (actually ordered whole new mirror while I was at it - didn't damage in takling it off but mirror backing was getting worn around the edges).
lol -The japanese are small and have little hands - so it all figures. I do have to admit - kids do come very handy indeed with there small hands! I had my kids do the turbo cooler lines for the same reason! Bring on child labour??? They will wrought you completely when it comes to deals! (They cost more than a mechanic - and they bribe and blackmail you at the same time) Dear Mum and Dad - do you want me to fix your car for you or not ? - its gonna cost you a new skateboard - they dont need protecting ! Its the parents that need protecting! but yep - you just cannot beat those little hands when it comes to the Z!
