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Soft top mechanism

Soft top mechanism




1 Front rail

9 Front base



2 Middle rail

10 Rear base



3 Rear rail

11 Soft top mounting



4 First bow

12 Latch handle



5 Second bow

13 Locating studs



6 Third bow

14 Balance link



7 Fourth bow

15 Main pivot point



8 Fifth bow

16 Stop plates, three different types, single and double that are riveted and tubular that are welded



The soft top mechanism comprises of two parallel metal rails running along the side of the top. These are divided into three parts, a front rail, a middle rail and a rear rail. The three rails are hinged to each other. When the top is put down, the mechanism folds at the hinges and at the main pivot point where the soft top mechanism is fitted to the body.

Between the right and left rails there are five transverse bows. The bows are numbered from one to five, with number one at the front.

The bow are coupled to each other by two strips of cloth along the sides of the soft top mechanism. The front strip of cloth runs between the first and fourth bow. The rear strip runs between the fourth and fifth bow on M95-96 but from M97, there is no strip of cloth between the fourth and fifth bow. the front strip is blind riveted to the first bow and stapled to the others. The rear strip of cloth is stapled to the fourth bow and secured with blind rivets to the fifth. The strips of cloth fix the position of the second and fourth bows when the soft top is raised and mechanically guide the second bow while the top is being operated.

When in raised position, the soft top mechanism is secured to the windscreen member with two latch handles in the first bow and to the soft top cover mechanism with two securing plates in the fifth bow.