[Tom86951]

I am planning to remove the convertible top cover to deal with some rust and repaint it off the car. It appears to be held on by just these two screws on both sides. Needless to say, the screws won't budge, even with an impact screwdriver. Is there a better way to remove the cover? I didn't see an obvious way to remove the hinge from the body itself. I'm temped to drill out the phillips screws in this picture. Does anyone know the part numbers for those screws if I go that route -- or where I can find the part number or screws?

 

[Fonzi]

You are doing it the right way. I've never taken one off one of my nice cars, but with big #3 Philips screws like that, I usually give the screwdriver a whack with the hammer to knock the screw loose. Same goes for the door check screws (or Allen bolts).


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[Tom86951]

You are doing it the right way. I've never taken one off one of my nice cars, but with big #3 Philips screws like that, I usually give the screwdriver a whack with the hammer to knock the screw loose. Same goes for the door check screws (or Allen bolts).


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Thanks, I actually tried one of those impact screwdrivers that you smack with a hammer. If I hit it hard enough to turn the screws, I fear bending metal in a big way. That's why I was thinking of drilling them out and finding replacement screws, if I can find them...

 

[carltwo]

Thanks, I actually tried one of those impact screwdrivers that you smack with a hammer. If I hit it hard enough to turn the screws, I fear bending metal in a big way. That's why I was thinking of drilling them out and finding replacement screws, if I can find them...

Have you tried a socket with a Philips head with a 1/2 ratchet as this for me has worked effortlessly anywhere on the car, as I just removed the soft top cover screws on two different 107sl. The screw are available at the dealership as I had ordered 2, ( $1.00 ea.), one screw on each side is larger than the other.
One of the screws is unavailable and the dealership does not know which one is unavailable.

 

[nobby]

You need a rattle gun.

Basically....a pneumatic impact with a turnable phillips bit adapter.

Big in aviation.

 

[isthisdave]

.

 

[Aussiemerc]

Maybe a little heat on the screws- they might have Loctite.

P'raps not as much as Dave suggests.

 

[Aussiemerc]

When you do take it off and want to remove the fabric cover , try and keep it flat as there are plastic bits inside at the corners that will break if the sides drop at 90 degrees to the center piece.

 

[Walt Williams]

When I refurbished my seats in my car I used a #3 phillips screwdriver 1/2 drive socket on an 18" breaker bar. Those screws came loose no problem. A fresh Phillips driver bit should grip the screws well and the breaker bar should give you enough leverage to 'break' the screw loose.

 

[Tom86951]

The 1/2" socket bit with breaker worked like a champ. Thanks all.

I notice that, on one side, the hinge is spring-loaded to help push up the cover, but the spring on the other side has no spring tension. Is that normal?

 

[rowdie]

One of the torsion bars is for the trunk lid the other for the top cover. If your trunk stays open there is no problem.

 

[Fonzi]

Is that normal?

Yes

 

[roncallo]

When you do take it off and want to remove the fabric cover , try and keep it flat as there are plastic bits inside at the corners that will break if the sides drop at 90 degrees to the center piece.

Yes I'm still looking to find those plastic pieces un broken. Without them in tact you will not be able to replace the leather cover correctly.

 

[Fonzi]

Yes I'm still looking to find those plastic pieces un broken. Without them in tact you will not be able to replace the leather cover correctly.

I've got to see what these pieces are. I'm confused and don't recall anything plastic. I can't wait to see this maybe tomorrow or so when I look at one of my r107.

 

[Aussiemerc]

I've got to see what these pieces are. I'm confused and don't recall anything plastic. I can't wait to see this maybe tomorrow or so when I look at one of my r107.

There's pics of the plastic in my thread a couple of days ago "Soft top cover"