I Tried to fit a hard top today, but the fixing bolts wont go in cos my Frankie bolts are actually nuts, and leave the studs behind. What am I missing?
If you put the “nut” back on, the hardtop just slots over it. Why are you trying to remove the Frankenstein bolt?
Hardtop has a different mount by the looks of it. There is a plate that bolts on into where the franki bolt currently sits.
Ah. The plate on mine has 3 holes, i see yours has two plus a nylon bit. Makes sense, but that is not what I have :-/
It’s not mine, I got it off internet search. Yours has the bolt holes where the part is missing.
I have the part, just did not take a pic. It’s not the same as you posted. Mine has 3 holes and a bolt with a spacer that replaces the Frankie bolt.
Maybe I can source one like in your pic, if not, i need to get the stud out so i can put my bolt in.
Mine are like this
Thx for the link.
Looking around, seems I have the Jass performace part and not tbe original.
No one has those in stock.
So back to my original question. How to get the studs out. Anyone?
A pair of grips probably.
Basically, the stud is tighter in the thread in the body than in the top part, potentially rusted in or worse, cross threaded. Once you start trying to get it out, if you muller it, or the thread in the body is mullered you’ll be in a worse situation. If it were me, I look for used OE plates before trying to get the studs out.
Have you tried removing the other bolt and chrome strip to see what it’s like underneath? It might be worth giving it a daily dose of penetrating oil and let it soak in.
The other bolt comes off, at least on one side I tried. Doesnt look too bad. Gonna soak them tomorrow.
I would keep looking for the original part or cut one out of new piece of steel. The plastic bit might be hard to replicate though. 3 d print maybe. Surely someone’s got a maker’s hard top with some on. Failing that, before potentially wrecking the plate on your car I would get a pair of plates of a car breaking somewhere and play with those. Still get a few nbs through my local breakers and a few of the specialist suppliers break them as well.
Plenty of grease when reassemble on car or will leak water into boot. This was happening on mine after they were removed and refitted when had my car re sprayed and took ages to find as really slow. Water would find its way down threads and then track along seams in boot causing drips no where near actual bolt holes.
I don’t know much about these but that one you have isn’t to permanently fix the hard top is it?
It’s quite popular in some circles to secure the hard top on permanently and there are kits available to do that.
Cheers,
Guy
Yes, I believe you are right. The hard top came without the usual front clips too. Got those off ebay.
