Hardtop / Tonneau cover attachments on S4 Spider

Joseph M. · #1 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 12:08 PM

On my 90 S4 Spider there is a second ring at the back of the boot chrome strips. This is of plastic material and I am trying to figure out what purpose it serves.

Any ideas??

**Tifosi** · #2 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 12:15 PM

One is for soft top cover, the other is for hard top fitment.

Generally only one or the other type is on at a given time, while the other is mounted inside the hardtop or tossed in the glovebox for storage purposes as the proper place for both when in use is the front screw. (as in they can't both be there at once

)

Joseph M. · #3 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 12:18 PM

Thanks for your reply.

As the chrome one (at the front) is for the soft top cover then I can conclude that the plastic one (at the back) should be for the hard top. How is this one attached to the hard top, I thought that only the J-clamp would be required which is fixed instead of the chrome one.

**Tifosi** · #4 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 12:23 PM

There's little notches in the underside inside back lip of the top that engage the buttons to help keep the rear pinned down and sealed while the j-hooks are further forward and on the sides.

Basically the j-clamps hold the top on and the buttons stop it shucking about in a forward or side to side direction.

Soemone had an extensive thread regarding the subject, but I dunno right off hand who or when. Just that I recall seeing it.

**Tifosi** · #5 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 12:29 PM

Manual page for an 85 using factory top that may be of use as the mechanics of it are the same.

FrancosAlfa · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 04:58 AM

Dang it, that was really good, but it did not show the electrical connector. I'm curious since I am purchasing a hard top, but cannot find where it plugs in. Also need to find the loose wires up front behind the dummy switches. Anyone know the color of the wires? ie blue with gray stripe?

Thanks

KKKKFL

**Tifosi** · #7 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 11:30 AM

1st drawing in the above shows the connector for the defogger.

If it's not gone flop, it should be located in the vicinity of the drivers side soft top pivot hinge behind the B pillar.

Or did you mean a detailed picture of it?

**Tifosi** · #8 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 12:07 PM

K, digging through a post '86 monopod schematic I've found this:

Rear defogger connection has what appears to be a light blue and a white wire.
Console switch has a orange w/black trace and a black.

It's serviced by the relay to the right of the flasher unit.

FrancosAlfa · #9 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 02:25 PM

The Darth Slacker strikes a homer again... Looking for a blue white wire on behind the driver side well, and up front should find a orange with black trace and a black wrapped together with associated spade plugs... well that's what I'm hoping.

Not gonna dig in until I get the top back home, hopefully in the next few days. Then I need to sand prime and paint black instead of the red color that currently adorns the top.

Will snap pictures as I go through this process as i know the gang loves photos.

KKKKFL

**John M** · #10 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joseph M.

On my 90 S4 Spider there is a second ring at the back of the boot chrome strips. This is of plastic material and I am trying to figure out what purpose it serves.

Any ideas??

**AngloSpider** · #11 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 12:27 PM

As John says, you need the combo switch but the plug behind the switch is the same i.e. you don't need to go searching for any other wires, you just replace the switch and use the same plug (it has the wires for the heated screen already).

In my car there is an extra plug behind the switches with blue/white wiring but this is for the rear foglight (a legal requirement in the UK). I have connected this up with a spare switch I had and have now got a foglight working.

FrancosAlfa · #12 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 08:33 AM

Now that I have been through the experience..

I noticed in this thread that someone missed the fact that ONLY the forward position is used... both hard top and cover use the forward position... the back position is for storage only.

Thus when you shift from soft to hard top you move the nub W/slash button to the rear( for storage), install the angled plate in the forward position and use the screw that came out of the rear position.

As a side note, I had to make a minor bend on the edge of the black attachment plate so that it curved upwards slightly. It now catches the Hard top side easily and snugs up as it moves forward. WRT the forward movement, the clasps that grab on the windshield easily pull the whole hardtop. Don't even try to pull it by hand. You cannot supply enough forward pull. Let the lever action do the job.

KKKKFL

**John M** · #13 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrancosAlfa

Now that I have been through the experience..

I noticed in this thread that someone missed the fact that ONLY the forward position is used... both hard top and cover use the forward position... the back position is for storage only.

Thus when you shift from soft to hard top you move the nub W/slash button to the rear( for storage), install the angled plate in the forward position and use the screw that came out of the rear position.

KKKKFL

FrancosAlfa · #14 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 10:44 AM

Noted about the plate over the "J" hook... as for the plate.. it must go on the forward location...(look at the middle illustration in post #5) I tried for an hour to get it to work from the rear position, and once the plate on the car attached to the underneath of the hardtop, (I had to remove the rear shelf to do this) it would not go forward enough. That's when I broke the code.. I went back and looked at the illustration and you can see where the body side hook is in the forward position. I still had problems getting the top to grab until I bent the point up about a sixteenth of an inch. Now it grabs easily and as the top is pulled forward with the front latches, it snugs down.

I sure wish I could find replacement rubber that screws into the top.. I rebuilt the passenger side, prying apart the steelrunner that grabs the double duck foot rubber edge. Then, stretching the rubberand pinching the steel holder with vise grips from front to back. I used bigger screws to bind it back to the top, and its not bad, just not perfect.

The real problem comes when you try and replace the spring clips that hold the inside of the roof liner onto the edge of the steel frame.

KKKKFL

**John M** · #15 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 11:20 AM

I am sorry Francos:

I am not being clear. The back position on the chrome plate that sits on the sheet metal between the trunk and rear window is not for storage or mounting as you noted. Only for securing the chrome plate to the body of the car. The closer, forward position is used for both the rubber covered metal hooks and the chrome acorns for mounting the hardtop and veloce boot respectively.

Agreed on the seals. I would love a full set for mine. However...I don't hardly use my top....cloth or hardtop. And I don't drive them in the rain or daily. Just for fun and shows. So I suppose I have another thing taking up space in my garage I don't need!

Best Regards,
John M