Okay, if you are still not convinced that you should have your new top installed by qualified professionals, we offer the following advice:
- Have someone present during the installation that knows what they are doing and has already "successfully" installed the very same Robbins top that you are attempting to install.
- Even after you have secured an experienced person to lead your installation, study the process on your own before beginning the actual installation. A good source of information is Miata.net. Here is a link to their Garage Section on top installation:
- Have several helpers on-hand to assist with the installation of the top.
Installing a top is NOT a one-person job!!!
- Stay calm during the installation. If you have experienced help, that should be easy. If you decide to not heed our advice on this matter and attempt an installation without the benefit of experienced help, at least try to avoid blaming Robbins or us if you run into difficulties.
- Plan on spending an entire day to complete your installation, instead of the 5 hours that a shop would take to do the job. For some, it might take more than one day to complete the installation. This is not an easy job. That's why we recommended that you let qualified professionals do it for you.
- If all goes well, once your top is installed you should still be prepared to have a difficult time closing it for the first time. Make sure the top is warm and relaxed before closure. And once your top is closed, keep it closed for about one-week so that it "sets" and becomes accustomed to closure. (Customer performed installations frequently take 3, or more, people to close their top for the first time.)
- If you do run into difficulties during the installation, take your Miata to a qualified professional so that they can see first-hand what you have encountered. You can ask them for assistance, but be prepared to pay for their advice.
- Also be prepared for Raven Wing Performance Tech Support to NOT be a reliable resource if you run into difficulties. If you haven't figured it out by now, installing a top is a technically difficult and laborious job that is best left to professionals. Further, it is sufficiently technically difficult enough to be abstract in description of installation. This is the kind of project that cannot be explained verbally over the telephone, or described adequately in an email, or be understood by sharing photographs; all of which makes it impossible for us to guarantee that we can help you if you run into difficulties during installation.
- And lastly, be prepared to turn the job over to a qualified professional if you come to understand that the project is beyond your own capabilities.
Please don't be offended if the language of this section seems harsh. It is not our intention to be rude or overbearing. We merely wish to convey a realistic overview of top installations that emphasizes its genuine complexity. And, it wouldn't be fair to you if this section made it appear that the task at hand is anything less than a serious challenge.
Now having said that, it really is possible to install your own top. If you decide to undertake this as a project, we wish you the best!
