Geoff W Posted May 7, 2002 Share Posted May 7, 2002 Just bought an FIA Tonneau for my VX Classic and as per normal......it does not come with instructions. I basically know how it is supposed to fit and have had experience of fitting a new boot cover, but does anyone have any tips or do's & don't's in particular to position of press studs. H7 CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buda Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 I'm not sure if your supposed to but when I did mine I caught the steel chassis tubes by the wheel arch when drilling the holes (as per Caterham measurements) - filled them with copious amounts of wax oil, the popper stress straining washers under the scuttle are a pain to get to but I would do the same again as your only drilling through the ali skin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Nick Chan Posted May 8, 2002 Area Representative Share Posted May 8, 2002 Easiest way to fit tonneau (after all the popper bases have been fitted to the car is to place a big piece of masking tape on the inside of the tonneau cover approximately where the bases are located, hook the eyelets over for the top of the suspension and then work from the centre of the screen, rounnd the top of the scuttle and then down the side of the body. On the Scuttle (certainly on the first two by the centre of the car/zip) try and fit the two is opposite pairs ie working on both sides of the tonneau together. From memory, take the sterring wheel off and fit the tonneau poppers and then when you have the wheel in place (assuming its not a removable one) and the zip closes, the tension over the wheel will stretch the fabric well for drainage. HTH Nick PS Before you ask, the masking tape is to show you where you have pressed on the tonneau and clearly shows the popper base impression!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Micallef Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 I was considering buying a tonneau from Caterham. If I do I take it that it wont come with the poppers on it then? If thats the case then I may have to buy a 2nd hand one. The Happy 7 Ownerteeth.gifteeth.gifteeth.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luddites7 Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 Caterham send two halves of the cover with the zip in place, you then get a bag of assorted durable-dot fastners. I had also brought a build manual which contains some fitting instructions otherwise you would be pretty stuffed. I still have to fit mine, its one of those jobs that you really don't look forward to. Also I need to find a place to buy the durable-dot fastner application tool - this doesn't come with the tonneau kit !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Micallef Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 Excellent! I think I'll be getting a 2nd hand one in that case. The Happy 7 Ownerteeth.gifteeth.gifteeth.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Menace Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 Jnessling Just finished building my car and you can borrow the durable dot fastener. Would let you have it but I think Iwill but tonneau soon and they seem hard to get hold of. Where do you live? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonycaterham Posted May 8, 2002 Share Posted May 8, 2002 Anthony, I have an unused tonneau and bag for a live axle car (1998 chassis), that I do not intend fitting, if interested email me. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff W Posted May 8, 2002 Author Share Posted May 8, 2002 I missed out on the second hand one then...typical me!!! Anyway thanks for the tips, I'm beginning to see the light I think. I have actually been back onto Caterhams and they have promised to fax me a copy of some instructions...I await with eager anticipation. With regard to the durable dot fastener tool, I bought mine from Caterham when I swapped my Anti-roll bar for an FIA one and had to fit a new boot cover. They charged me £6 + £1.50 P&P + VAT making it a very expensive item for what it is, at £8.81. Par for the course? or am I just a winger?? teeth.gif H7 CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Nick Chan Posted May 8, 2002 Area Representative Share Posted May 8, 2002 Fitting a tonneau is pretty straightforward and doesn't take too long to sort out. The problem (I imagine!) with a second hand one is if the poppers aren't in the right place and the fit isn't too snug / taught for popper bases you have drilled onto the body! Not really a problem when both sides are in place and the car is parked - a saggy tonneau can be lifted by judicious use of the headrest as a prop (from another forum posting) but slightly different if the lefthand / passenger cover is flapping about a bit when you are driving down the motorway and it decides to become a parachute... With a new one, its easier to stretch and get right. Unless you are thinking of drilling the popper bases to match poppers on the cover and then it becomes a real challenge smile.gif Have fun! Nick Edited by - Nick Chan on 8 May 2002 17:39:12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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