Can't stow my top all the way?

[McGyver]

My shocks are all shot, so i rest the frame of the top against the tonnueau cover. Then push the shit in on one side, walk to the other push the shit in, lift the cover, lower the top, tuck the back corner, rest the cover, walk around to tuck the driver's corner, push it down, slam the tonneau.

[Das Delfin]

I used to pin it up with my shoulder and then hang onto the tonneaubjvnf cover as I would walk around to the other side of the car. Eventually I said fuck it and spent the money

[GillesBigCowboy]

LOL, glad to know I am not the only one who needs shocks, and straps!

[Semblance]

Oh and the PO had a new top put on but didn't replace the tension straps. So yeah, got to wait until it's time to replace the top before I can get new tension straps.

I successfully installed new straps under an existing top Without removing the top. It's a royal pain, but it can be done.

I may have lucked out though because they were screwed in, not riveted as I've heard is sometimes done.

[Das Delfin]

Here are the part numbers for all the shocks and whatnot

Tonneau cover shocks
51 25 1 932 333 - need 2

Convertible top fold mechanism shocks (says for manual tops only. My top was originally manual but was replaced by a late model electric top which was set up to be manual and it has these, so just look into the two arms then the top is halfway open and you'll see these if you have them)
54 31 1 932 751 - need 2

And you need to buy this with the above (I tried going without and it wouldn't work)
54 31 1 943 751 - need 2

Trunk shock (if you have 1)
51 24 8 103 180

Trunk shock (if you have 2)
51 24 8 103 118

[JWHIII]

I successfully installed new straps under an existing top Without removing the top. It's a royal pain, but it can be done.

I may have lucked out though because they were screwed in, not riveted as I've heard is sometimes done.

This is encouraging! I'll have to do some investigating to see if my straps are screwed in too. What area did you find the most difficult to work with? I assume it would be the very front.

[Semblance]

Oh yeah the front was ridiculous. I got a mini ratchet screwdriver to squeeze in between the screw and the top. It's seriously not fun. Don't bother with it if the top is going to need to be replaced soonish.

The very back is riveted but those are exposed and easy.

[JWHIII]

Semblance - Thanks for the advice! I'm going to take a look at it this weekend and see if I want to get into it or not. And yes, the top on my car is brand new and since I split DD time between two e30's and have a hard top for the winter It'll probably be several years before it needs replacing.

[Semblance]

Well it can't hurt to try - worst case you manage to unscrew the old straps but can't screw in the new ones. If the old ones are shot it doesn't matter anyway.

Because the top will be on, you won't be able to mark the holes for the screws in the new straps. You're just going to have to guess / feel the location and hope for the best. I used the holes in the old straps as a rough guide but the elastic in the new straps will make that tough. It's just not going to be a super tight fitment. But I was able to get the straps to do their job just fine. My fingers hurt for a few days after but it was worth it ;)

Good luck!

[Prost]

Here are the part numbers for all the shocks and whatnot

Tonneau cover shocks
51 25 1 932 333 - need 2

Convertible top fold mechanism shocks (says for manual tops only. My top was originally manual but was replaced by a late model electric top which was set up to be manual and it has these, so just look into the two arms then the top is halfway open and you'll see these if you have them)
54 31 1 932 751 - need 2...

So there are 4 shocks total? I thought there are only two to hold the tonneau cover?

[Das Delfin]

^ read the rest of what I wrote and you'll figure it out.

[Prost]

^ read the rest of what I wrote and you'll figure it out.

Forgive me, but I am still lost...

[Das Delfin]

once you see what I'm talking about you'll be like - oh

the tonneau cover has two shocks which hold it up. So once you buy two of those you're set.

Then the convertible top itself (manuals only) has two more shorter shocks which help in lifting the top. These shocks are found within the scissor lift part of the folding top assembly. Open your top halfway and fold the rear window part upward so you can look down inside the lift assembly. You should see the bolts which hold the top to the car and then if you look a bit more forward you'll see the shocks. There's one on each side and each fits into a special cylindrical holder. You have to buy new holders too. There are some circlips holding these in and they're a pain to get out. The part numbers for everything are in my post above

And then after that there's also the shock(s) which hold up the trunk. Early cars have one, and some late cars have two.

[aegul44]

Forgive me, but I am still lost...

Dude you just need two of these for tonneau cover. part number: 51 25 1 932 333.

[JWHIII]

After some quick digging it looks like Pelican has the tonneau shocks for $25 each.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/51251932333.htm?pn=51-25-1-932-333-M24

Seems like a good price but does anyone know anything about the manufacturer, Stabilus?