Resetting Maserati Spyder Roof

hladun. Is that you Tony?

Yes I'm Tony H on ML.

hladun said:

Yes I'm Tony H on ML.

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Welcome!

C

I thought I recognized your beautiful Spyder .

hladun said:

When I look at the pictures, it appears to me that the previous fix with the rivets had too short a piece of elastic. You want to pull parts 2 and 3 together as shown here https://www.eurospares.co.uk/images/pages/024/Large/024_113.gif. Apparently the fix that a guy called Lorenzo sold in the US did the job. As I understand it it was an elastic that looped around the 2 and 3 structural members.

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Thanks, very helpful. I’m sure you are right about the previous repair and the elastic not being long enough. Since I posted this I’ve carried on fiddling with my repair to try to improve it, using some different webbing. Really it needs to be done properly but it works OK for me except when it is below freezing (my car lives outside). I’ll take a look at Lorenzo’s repair option - is he the US guy who does the sticky buttons?

The job is on the ‘I’ll do it one day’ list . There is always something else on the ‘do it now’ list.

Just applied the elastic cord fix to ours. It is possible to loop the cord between the arms connected by the elastic strap in such a way to avoid slip or a lump on the roof or riveting or pinning to the strap - I worry about rust marks in there. As the mechanism which unlocks/locks the roof rear was reluctant to operate and groaning it was lightly lubricated and exercised a few times. All is OK now.

There is a note in another post about adjusting the closure to avoid the alarming drop as the roof goes over centre. Anyone know where this adjuster is?

Bump: can anyone point to how to adjust the Spyder roof mechanism to reduce the slack which causes the roof leading edge to drop dramatically as it goes over centre when closing? I catch it by hand but do believe that it should not do this!

RodTungsten said:

Bump: can anyone point to how to adjust the Spyder roof mechanism to reduce the slack which causes the roof leading edge to drop dramatically as it goes over centre when closing? I catch it by hand but do believe that it should not do this!

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The condition of the elastics in there ?

Having had many soft tops, it will not be the adjustment but worn webbing straps and elastic bands that are causing the issue. The only way to reduce the slack is remove it with new bands - a job for a professional as it will require the removal of the inner or outer skins.

I have assisted a set which help opening with some rubber cord - stops the folding frame from jamming but I was under the impression from earlier that there was some adjustment in the mechanism that removes what feels like slack in the drive. The weight of the roof as it comes over centre feels not as though it is controlled by rubber. Obviously need to poke about in there more deeply.

Looking at the ES diagrams I can only see the torsion webbing and the tie rod (7) as offering any anti-slam during closing - Are the nylon bushing in the hinge mechanism worn?

Eurospares | Maserati 4200 Spyder (2003) 113 Capote Structure

Maserati Spyder 2002 it looks like my soft top has an elastic straps issue that Has been described a number of times on different forums: the roof gets stuck in the open vertical position but I can ”help it” to fully open when I move the handle bar manually which requires two people to operate the roof. the roof gets stuck again when I try to close it : it gets out of the storage compartment and covers most of the car but the tail portion cannot get out and up completely if I bump it slightly from the back it gets properly positioned and the top clips can attach to the front window and everything else goes as it should.

A detailed solution has been posted on here, but I’m hesitant to do it by myself..... is there anybody in Southern California who has done the procedure?? Or any recommendations who can do it for a reasonable price (so far I got two quotes $2540 and $4500 in LA to solve the “issue” ). I’ll be willing to drive to your location, I’m looking for some help to replace these elastic Straps.

thanks, Alex

@silverf1
Most car re trimmers should be able to sort out.
I have changed the elastics on my Porsche Boxster and it took very little time to do.
If my memory serves me right the roof on the Maserati is German too.

FYI I use 1inch wide elastic you can buy from Hobbycraft by the metre. Get black if you can. I then use a hog ring tool to fix it. Notting it seems to work at first then they slip.

shaunturner1764 said:

Hi - I need some advice please. My Spyders roof was 90% of the way opening and then just stopped. It seems now there is no power going to it at all. I have tried battery reset and all the tricks I could find but to no avail.I have had to close the top manually now and tried the reset again but to no avail.Does anyone know if there is a safety cut off or similar for the roof that might have activated and If so how do I reset it - Thanks in advance

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Hi Shaun,
How did you solve the issue?
Did you bring back your top to life?
Carsten