S4 Screen Tensioner Rod

[nebogipfel]

Hi All,

I need to fit the tensioner rod to my S4 d/h I have the rod but no
holes in the shell, so I am not sure how it fits. The manual as usual
is less than helpful!

I guess that the rod passes through the fiberglass under the crashpad
and has a nut and washer underneath?

At the top I assume the aluminium block is screwed into the screen
frame by a screw through the frame? Is there a block or plate on top
of the screen frame to spread the load or does it rely on the screw
head not pulling through?

Sorry for all the questions but I'm hoping someone out there has had
to deal with fitting one.

Oh, one other question, I assume the rod passes through the fiberglass
at the bottom as close to the screen surround rubber as possible to
allow the crashpad to but up against it when fitted?


Thanks in advance fo any input

John

[cusword]

On our S3 the rod is threaded at the top, and at the bottom has a
forward bend, terminated in a captive 'penny' washer, and threaded
again.
At the bottom, the threaded end is passed forward through a hole in
the fibreglass, very close to the windscreen rubber, and a nut is
fitted from beneath, behind the dashboard. The cast aluminium
bracket is then passed over the top of the rod, and you fit the
tensioning nut, which is, in fact, the tensioning nipple from a wire
wheel. Now you pass a screw through the top of the aluminium strip
on top of the windscreen frame, and tighten the bracket to the
windscreen frame. You can now tighten the nut at the bottom of the
rod, and finally tension it all with the nipple to the top. I like
to tension it until I get middle 'C'.............that's a joke,
don't overtension it, but is has to be tight.

Regards,

David

[nebogipfel]

"Now you pass a screw through the top of the aluminium strip
on top of the windscreen frame"

Thanks David, that's pretty clear, I assume the aluminium strip you
refer to is the gripper rail for the hood?

At the bottom am I right in assuming that the kick in the rod points
toward the screen rubber to allow maximum room for the crash pad?

Thanks in advance

John

[wgrainge]

Here's a photo of the tensioner rod without the crash pad, and
with the top loose:

http://members.shaw.ca/mmg3/tensionrod.jpg

Will Grainger
45/9693

[nebogipfel]

Thanks for the picture Will. Wow it looks just like mine and it's even
Lotus Yellow )

It's how the fitting works at the top I'm not sure of now ...... ie
what screws through what and into what? If you know what I mean.

My screen surrounding frame is newly fitted and I do not have any of
the parts except the tensioning rod with the block which fits under
the screen frame.

Thanks in advance for any info chaps

John '69 S4

[wgrainge]

Mine has been apart for a couple years now, but IIRC, a bolt passes
downward through the top of the window frame and threads into the
block. The block orientation should be fairly clear as it fits the
contour of the underside of the frame. This hole is not visible in my
photo because the autobody shop took it upon themselves to fill it in
and paint it over.

Good luck

-Will
45/9693

[cusword]

Sorry, I meant to say you pass the top of the rod through the
Aluminium block, and screw the nipple onto the rod. You then pass
the screw through the top of the widndscreen frame, and aluminium
strip which locates the hood/soft-top. This screw fixes the
aluminium casting to the top of the windscreen frame.

The bend at the bottom of the rod goes forward, as it goes through
the almost vertical fibreglass, immediately beneath the windscreen
rubber. It's awkward to get the nut on with the dashboard in place.

Have fun...............

David

[cusword]

Sorry, I have confused you here because I misread your query. My
original posting, and the above, is correct. I thought I had said
you passed the screwed end of the rod through the windscreen frame,
which is wrong, although I have seen it done.

Regards,

David

[cusword]

The photo posted is a good one. It shows the position of the rod at
the bottom. It also shows the aluminium block in position, although
it has swung round by 180 degrees. On the flat face you can see the
tapped hole which accepts the screw which comes through from the top
of the frame. If you 'offer up' the casting to the top centre of
the windscreen frame, the tapped hole in the casting will give you
the position to drill.

You have the two most important parts with the rod and the casting.
Do you have the nipple. The only other things you need are the
screw to come throught the frame at the top, a nut for the bottom
and a few washers.

Bye...........

David

[nebogipfel]

Thanks David, a very complete answer. I should be able to get it right
now )


John