Fix the Soft Top Latch Wear With New Modifry Elastic Straps on a Honda S2000

Have you noticed the latches of your soft top have started to rub against the top? It happened to mine around the 10 year mark, and the culprit in my case were worn out elastic straps. Thankfully Modifry makes a replacement that fits over the existing straps. Now my top lowers itself all the way and the latches are no longer applying stress to the top.

This job is relatively simple and takes around half an hour to do.

Required Tools

Scissors (preferably blunt-end so you can't accidentally stab through your top)

Required Parts

You'll need the Convertible Top Fix kit from Modifry

Symptoms

You'll notice bumps in the soft top around where the latches are. This is because the worn out elastic in the old straps no longer bring the top all the way down, allowing the latches to rub against the top. This doesn't happen when the top is in its original resting position.

Step by Step Instructions

How it works

1

Here is a diagram from Modifry's instructions showing how the strap works. The replacement straps simply sit inside the existing rivet holes, so no drilling is required. However you'll still need to remove as much of the existing strap as possible.

Image 5805 from Fix the Soft Top Latch Wear With New Modifry Elastic Straps on a Honda S2000

2

And here's a photo of the final result with the new straps in place.

Image 5853 from Fix the Soft Top Latch Wear With New Modifry Elastic Straps on a Honda S2000

3

You can see the difference in elasticity of the old strap compared to the new one. The new one is also more heavy duty, so it should last longer.

Image 5856 from Fix the Soft Top Latch Wear With New Modifry Elastic Straps on a Honda S2000

Prepare

4

Lower your top to this position. The top should point a little past half-way, as you can see in the angle in the picture:

Image 5859 from Fix the Soft Top Latch Wear With New Modifry Elastic Straps on a Honda S2000

Remove the old straps

5

Cut away the old straps from both support bars, getting as close as you can to the rivet holes. Be very careful not to cut into your top - the cost of that repair will be several magnitudes greater than this one! Here's a photo of the front bar:

Image 5862 from Fix the Soft Top Latch Wear With New Modifry Elastic Straps on a Honda S2000

6

And here's one of the rear bar.

Image 5869 from Fix the Soft Top Latch Wear With New Modifry Elastic Straps on a Honda S2000

Install the new strap

7

Hold the strap so that the pins face up and the pin closest to the edge of the strap is towards the center of the car.

Image 5872 from Fix the Soft Top Latch Wear With New Modifry Elastic Straps on a Honda S2000

8

Start with the rear support bar. Feed the strap behind the bar. You need to put the pegs into the rivet holes which are on the bottom of the bar. You won't be able to see them so you'll need to feel around. Try getting one peg in at a time - it may take a little trial and error.

Image 5875 from Fix the Soft Top Latch Wear With New Modifry Elastic Straps on a Honda S2000

9

Now take the free portion of the strap (pointing towards the front of the car) and loop it around the bar, starting by feeding it from under the bar...

Image 5878 from Fix the Soft Top Latch Wear With New Modifry Elastic Straps on a Honda S2000

10

And bringing it from behind, exiting at the top of the bar. Now the strap should be looped around the rear support bar, which is what you want.

Image 5881 from Fix the Soft Top Latch Wear With New Modifry Elastic Straps on a Honda S2000

11

Now take the free end of your strap and wrap it around outside the vertical brace of the front support bar, bringing the strap back behind the support bar.