Received a top malfunction Upson investigation i found a strap loose ( not connected). Does anyone know where its supposed to be attached to ? Please and thank you.

 

I don't yet have this problem, but can I respectfully ask for a photo with the top up and with some
way to identify where on the exterior the problems evolve. I just can't figure it out from the interior photos on the posts.
Thanks.

 

@tteplitzmd @Bentman67 ,




Johnny

 

Very good. Thanks very much. So the holes appear to be always on the driver's side (for RHD and LHD).
Is there any guidance on a preventative strategy? Everything addresses after the damage is done.
I'm clean so far.

 

Hi
Well known GTC problem
Strap breaks free from rivet and the metal hoop falls back leading to abrasion at fold point and decreases gap so back end of roof catches on rear valance.
Can occur either side
Fix is to replace all straps about £700
Once roof damaged one can try and patch from inside with flexible glue eg stormsure
Otherwise new hood
Bentley £12000
Indie about £4000
I managed to source hood on eBay for £1000

However check photos to ensure no damage b4 purchase
BW Adrian
PS currently doing up Cat S GTC Speed

 

"Strap breaks free from rivet and the metal hoop falls back leading to abrasion at fold point and decreases gap so back end of roof catches on rear valance.
Can occur either side
Fix is to replace all straps about £700"

But wouldn't this keep repeating itself over time? No alternative strap material? And who knows enough to do the GBP700 strap replacement?
Seems like self inflicted injury to replace one strap with another one destined to fail.

 

The new straps are said to be diff material
Hoodtech Chester
Vagpro Leicester
car hoods northern

I believe that newer Bentleys have the fix but don't know for sure

If you don't fix the straps the hood will get damaged and that costs a lot more

My roof was damaged and I knew the problem but the shyster who sold it to me said it had been vandalised and then suggested I pay him £2000 for a new roof that his insurance would cover!

BW Adrian

 

Hello @AdrianMD ,
Welcome to 6speedonline !

Thank you for your comments, because I had the same thought this morning after I posted the videos from Vagpro, as Vagpro says nothing in the videos of a new and improved design, I was thinking as @tteplitzmd was, wouldn't this just happen again...

Thankfully I went for the hardtop... 🫢

Johnny

 

http://www.vagpro.co.uk/

I'm going to inquire to these guys about purchasing the newer or better straps and will post if I get a response.

 

I can definitely recommend Hoodtech Chester, they replaced the strap and all back in working order.

 

Do you know what model year onwards the problem has been fixed?

 

No reply as of yet from Hoodtech Chester.
I also wondered from what year a better strap was coming out of the factory.

 

My 2016 never developed the "holes" issue, but I bought the OEM strap retrofit kit from Scuderia just in case. I believe it was around $300. Part # 3W7898025. I ended up giving it to a friend of mine with a 14 GTC who was replacing his top due to the holes.

 

Thank you, so there is a real retrofit.
I will look into getting that. Seems like it's more than a strap at that price and might explain the $1000 estimate
mentioned in an earlier posting for the strap repair. I'm going to see if the local dealership parts dept knows anything about it.

 

The tech at my local stealership is very good. He said he thinks there are actually two different repair kits,
but seemed inclined to just look at the straps if I don't have any holes yet. Historically his judgment has been
excellent, so when I need an oil change I'll pay an extortionist price for the dealership to have him also inspect the straps.

The tech has no control over their pricing unfortunately. What they do is look for any and every repair they can find to recommend.
They'll simply charge a lot for the oil change.

No one seems to have the repair kit cited above in stock, but when it was available it seemed to be for GTC thru 2016.
It's got a lot of parts over and above the straps, sort of like a disassembled watch.