My mini is sitting in a shop, they said my knee lever broke and they're saying it's like 14 hours to repair. The shop bill for that will be outrageous . Anyone here work on tops before, I've done all the work to my cars in the past, but never a soft top. Should I pay the shop, or put it up in the garage. I've got a plethora of tools and like to get messy.
I don't know about the MINI top. But I completely redid the top on my VW. Replaced the cables, cleaned and painted the frame, replaced the padding, replaced the top, replaced the molding. It was a bit of work but nothing more was needed than a good set of hand tools and gloves so they get pinched instead of you. It took a long weekend.
What is the Knee Lever? Is it in this image? Convertible Top Parts can be seen here http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=RH33&mospid=48019&hg=54&fg=10
I'm glad you asked Nathan, I was thinking the same thing. But it may be next to the doodad. Wish I could help jbat
Regardless of the actual part if you are spending that much time on this job, either paying someone or DIY, maybe a new top should be factored in? Of course if the shop does it they'll just add the 6 hours on top of the already quoted job. Seems to me that a 14 hour job to fix whatever is wrong should allow the installation of the top as a free ride, just the adder for the top itself. And BTW, what is the original problem that brought this diagnosis in the first place?
the top decided it wouldnt go down one day. One side would start to come back, but the other wouldnt. So i left it alone to not cause further damage. It is not in that picture. I will upload a pic of what the part is.
The dealership Quoted 3500 for a New Top. That also comes with a 2yr warranty. So that would be cool.
And I assume the new top price includes the repaired part? No gotchas after you agree to one thing and they tell you you still need the other?
hmmmm..."knee lever". Top won't go down so you kneed the frame [thus creating the 'knee lever'] to "help" it along? Poor lil 'vert...you should be boiled in its synthetic oil....:lol::devil:
LOL... when I saw the thread title, I thought it was a new technique for the track... wedging your knee against the downtube and lower dash to get more grip from the stock seats...
Where is this "knee lever" located? What condition is your top in? I could think of better things to spend $3500 on (if I had it) but I like to tinker so.