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Posted by: william harris May 6 2006, 07:52 PM

OK, now that the rear glass is back in the car, today I made my first attempt to reinstall the targa bar pad. Didn't go too well. I had previously bolted the locking clamps into place and they presented a real obstacle to placing the targa bar pad properly. One, it takes two guys and you must try to wiggle and twist the pad around the handle and hardware. In the process I scraped the fresh paint off the hardware in the pad where the hooks pass thru - these had faded to a dull metallic from years of sun. But, if I remove the hardware it appears damn near impossible to put the clamps in place after the pad is screwed onto the car. Guys - Craig at Camp 914 - someone must have done this a million times? WHAT IS THE CORRECT PROCEDURE???

Posted by: markb May 6 2006, 08:38 PM

I'm glad you asked this. I'm ready to put mine back in, too.

Posted by: Doug Leggins May 7 2006, 08:20 AM

I had to remove the 2 latch covers from the targa pad. Also had to remove the top seat belt bolts and interior pillar covers. I was able to leave both latches bolted to the targa bar.

Getting the latch covers installed after the pad is in place is a bit difficult due to the 2 screw holes being located in hard to reach places. A little trick that I used was to use a small amount of tape to hold the screw onto the screwdriver. Just enough tape around the perimeter of the screw head to hold it onto the screwdriver shaft until the screw can be started. then pull the screwdriver away and the tape will stay on the screwdriver and the screw will stay in place.

Posted by: william harris May 7 2006, 09:16 AM

Doug you must have magic fingers, those little screws are so far inside the pad. The top seat belt bolts and sail panel covers are already out of the car. I think this will work better with two sets of hands. Paging Eric Sanders, paging Eric Sanders, please come to the courtesy phone in concours 914.

Posted by: computers4kids May 7 2006, 11:28 AM

QUOTE(william harris @ May 6 2006, 06:52 PM)

OK, now that the rear glass is back in the car, today I made my first attempt to reinstall the targa bar pad. Didn't go too well. I had previously bolted the locking clamps into place and they presented a real obstacle to placing the targa bar pad properly. One, it takes two guys and you must try to wiggle and twist the pad around the handle and hardware. In the process I scraped the fresh paint off the hardware in the pad where the hooks pass thru - these had faded to a dull metallic from years of sun. But, if I remove the hardware it appears damn near impossible to put the clamps in place after the pad is screwed onto the car. Guys - Craig at Camp 914 - someone must have done this a million times? WHAT IS THE CORRECT PROCEDURE???

Posted by: boxstr May 7 2006, 11:56 AM

The pad will go in only if you remove the latch covers. Yes they will go back in when the latches are in place, and it will take a long thin screwdriver . It is not easy and it requires alot of moving th elatches up an ddowen to get the screws just right. It can be done.
CCLINTARGABARPADRALLY

Posted by: william harris May 7 2006, 07:37 PM

OK. here is the procedure I will use and I will post pictures as it goes back together. Bolt latches back into car, remove guides from targa bar pad and install pad, then get that long thin screw driver and reinstall the guides. Well lets see how it goes. Stayed tuned for the next installment.

Posted by: william harris May 8 2006, 10:12 AM

Doug and guys: Spoke with Craig at Camp 914 and he also said to remove the guides. So away we go. Hopefully will be done this week.

Posted by: jk76.914 Jun 18 2006, 12:49 PM

Well, did it work? I've spent the last 2 hours trying to get mine together without removing the guides- to no avail.

So I looked it up in the Forums. Next step, after I finish my 6-pack, is to remove the guides and try again, but I was hoping to hear how you guys made out.

I have both early metal and late plastic guides. I was going to use the metal ones. Any inputs on which is easier to install?

thanks,
Jim