Targa Bar Pad Install, Remove hardware? Best procedure??? Options

[william harris]

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??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

[Doug Leggins]

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.