On my 2003 Plus 8 the tennex fasteners seem to work OK, but I'm having great difficulty at the 'other end' i.e where the hood engages with the header rail on the windscreen. Can someone enlighten me on how to adjust the "claws" which seem to have a small locknut and presumably control the tension? Is this type of hood what they call the 'everflex'?
Trev - it sounds like you have the "easyfit" hood, with a chrome U-section rail running the full width, lined with a rubber U-channel, and a black over-centre catch at each end which engages with a ridge on the inside of the windscreen side upright...?
If so, the main thing is to ensure the rail and its rubber seal is seating properly on the top of the windscreen frame. To make this easier, first release the hood at the rear. Then carefully seat the rail on the screen and check that you haven't got the ends of the rubber channel folded over, due to them having come unglued. This was the case with mine when I first got it. If it is folded over, you'll have a hell of a job getting it to fit! If this is the case, do one end at a time, easing the rubber seal into place first at one end then the other, and get it to seat as far down on the windscreen as possible (should be about 3/4 of the top chrome surround covered). Bang it down with a fist if necessary! Then open the doors, engage the two catches one at a time and flip them over so they are engaged. If this is hard to do with the rail properly seated on the screen, the locknuts need to be loosened and the claw part unscrewed so it is longer and required less tension to engage - or if very easy (this might well be the case if the rail was never seated properly before) they will need adjusting in the opposite direction, i.e. shorter. When you're happy with the adjustment, re-tighten the locknut (something like an 8mm spanner is needed). Now you can go to the back of the hood and slam it shut.
If you don't often use the hood it may have "shrunk" so leave it erected for a while. Then take it down and have a good look at the inside of the U-channel - is the rubber channel properly glued in at the ends? If not, it needs to be glued so it doesn't get folded over again - a good contact adhesive will do - I did this and had a good result for a year or so but it eventually came unglued again and it was reglued for me when it was in at Allon-Whites with something black (I suspect a 2-pack marine contact adhesive) that has lasted longer!
Getting it to seat properly is essential to stop leaks. Allon-Whites also cut away the back edge of the seal on mine, only at the sides, and this did make it easier to get it seated just right. A little silicone spray inside the rubber channel helps too.
Do experiment with getting the channel to seat well, and adjust the claws - it's worth the trouble, only takes a few minutes and you will soon work out how it functions. When it seats properly and the claws are just right, it can be put up very quickly - but releasing the back edge (little Ford-style door handle thing) is important or you are working against the tension in the material.
And "Everflex" is the name of the thick textured vinyl hood material.
Nigel
