[Miata] Fw: Replacing rear window

Wed Jul 2 19:43:36 CDT 2008

Skip the 6 speed there is no extra economy to be had.  Look at the ratios and you will understand.  1st gear is a stump puller and 6th is almost the same as 5th on a 5 speed.

Larry

White Knight      1991 Crystal White   #99 CSP
Silver Bullet        1992 Silverstone     #17 SM2  FM I+ Turbo
Honey B             1992 Sunburst Yellow #99 SM2L  JR Supercharger
Whooosh           2004 Titanium Mazdaspeed MX-5

LowCountry Miata  http://www.lowcountrymiataclub.net
Masters Miata
RAGS 074

From: miata-bounces at realbig.com [mailto:miata-bounces at realbig.com] On Behalf Of mark.ariagno at boehringer-ingelheim.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2008 8:31 PM
To: miata at realbig.com
Subject: [Miata] Fw: Replacing rear window

----- Original Message -----
From: Ariagno,Mark  BIV-US-J
To: 'miataturbo at gmail.com' <miataturbo at gmail.com>
Sent: Wed Jul 02 19:09:28 2008
Subject: Re: [Miata] Replacing rear window

Thanks, new to miatas.  Quite a cult group.  Two months ago bought the red 97 with 49k miles on it and a good car fax report.  Wanted fun way to get better mpg.  Top had been down for four years.  Boy did it crack when raised.  It has 17 inch flashy wheels.  I am a pretty handy engineer.  My eight year old wants it in eight years.  Want to do some after market things with it.  I wish I had a six speed for better economy.  I am on BB or I would send a picture to you.  Did get ticket for no lisence plate in front.  There are no brackets and it would look awful.  Now I have to do the timing belt but I would like to peek at it first to see condition.  Possible?

Mark

----- Original Message -----
From: Sam Sharp <miataturbo at gmail.com>
To: Ariagno,Mark  BIV-US-J
Sent: Wed Jul 02 18:56:16 2008
Subject: Re: [Miata] Replacing rear window

Hi, Mark!

I think the grinding wheel on the Dremel will disturb the plastic less than a drill would.  You can still carefully move it away enough to tape the holes without removing it.  I think I didn't bother to tape the holes on the last one I did.  I like your idea of zip ties on those side rivets.  I'll do that next time.

Sam

On Wed, Jul 2, 2008 at 5:48 PM, <mark.ariagno at boehringer-ingelheim.com> wrote:

        Hi sam, unfortunately, while drillimg rivets, that's when I cracked it plus I wanted to seal both sides of the rivets holes.  It was my first time doing  this on a miata.  Done mg and triumphs and two fiat spiders.

        Thanks
        Mark

        ----- Original Message -----
        From: Sam Sharp <miataturbo at gmail.com>
        To: Ariagno,Mark  BIV-US-J
        Cc: miata at realbig.com <miata at realbig.com>
        Sent: Wed Jul 02 18:37:29 2008
        Subject: Re: [Miata] Replacing rear window

        I've had luck grinding the heads off of the rivets at the back with a Dremel.  Then push them out the back one at a time and you can separate the top from the rain rail without removing the rain rail from the car.  Much less chance of cracking it this way.

        Sam

        On Wed, Jul 2, 2008 at 8:27 AM, <mark.ariagno at boehringer-ingelheim.com> wrote:

                Hey Alex, funny you ask.  I just did mine on my 1997.  Miata garage has a good article to follow although the beginning is a little confusing so I ignored that part.  Just take out the rear carpet by removing the plastic fasteners.  Then you will expose several bolts holding on some plates to some studs.   They are 10 mm.  You will see several rivets to drill out.  Use a very sharp drill bit or in my case bits and variable speed drill.  This is a real pain if they start to spin on you.  Hold with needle nose vice grip.  Once out you can separate the top from the rain rail.  The rain rail like every one says is real fragile.  I broke mine in a couple of spots.  If you do the same, just go to the hardware store and pick up drain plumbing tape and tape her up real good.  It is thick gooey tape with a paper backing. Sticks to anything.  Just tape the whole thing up nice and pretty.  You wont be putting rivets back in so tape over the holes.  Rivets are just for factory convenience.

                Now there are two more rivets or I would call them brads that hold the rear curtain containing window to the top.  Drill them out too.  They are a pain along with two rivets holding the top on each side of the car near the bottom of seat belt tower.  They are a pain too.  Two on each side.  Now the zipper holding window in has these little metal stops at the end of the zipper.  Bend the prongs out and use needle nose to remove.  Mark both sides of zipper with red nail polish.  You want to put the stop back in the same place.  Now run the zipper off the track.  I took the window to a very nice mom and pop upholstery shop. They put a new window on the inside of the curtain and double stitched it on.  They also stitched Velcro on that was coming loose.  Real pretty job for $70,00.   Put it back together in reverse, don't scratch your new window.  Now those two rivets that hold the top and curtain together can be replaced by using slammers which are two part rivets that are pushed together.  They really hold very well.  I ordered from Mcmaster Car.  The two rivets on both sides are real hard to replace, so I used small electrical zip ties to secure top in those locations.  Make sure your rain rail is taped up real well and the drain tube on each corner should be cleaned out while you are there.

                By the way if you screw up the zipper stop like I did, ask the upholstery shop for one when you pick up your rear curtain.  After I did mine, I noticed just a little flapping noise between the top and the curtain by the sides of the window.  There is suppose to be a little rubber pad there, mine is a little worn.  I wanted to add another piece of Velcro but have found no glue to attach to top and curtain.  Self adhesives one wont stick either.  Took me four hours to take apart and three to put back together and roughly a six pack or so of beer, this might be a conservative estimate though.   If you have an original top it has like a little embossed or raised area with writing on the corner of window in Japanese.  That is the real deal..I would be surprised a 1992 would still have original.  If it was after market you could get a new curtain with window ready to go if the zippers would match.  Miata has proprietary zipper so if yours is Miata, no one makes one to match But if top is OK and curtain is OK, I would go with the upholstery route.  There also is Velcro that hold top to cross bar near back window, you can tighten the top up some by moving Velcro towards the window.  Its wrapped right around cross bar.   Hope this helps some.

                Mark R. Ariagno

                Manager Plant Engineering

                mark.ariagno at boehringer-ingelheim.com

                ABoehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc

                1411Oak Street, P.O. Box 338

                Elwood, KS  66024

                Telephone (913)380-3105

                Telefax (913)380-3117

                Cell:  (816)-390-0296

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