Hoops fitting

carl · Post by **carl** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 4:59 pm

Was about to fit these, but it started raining

Got the seat back off though, so I can see how easy it is. It looks like the round 'washer' bit at the bottom of the original hoops is moulded into the hoops. Obviously the ali ones I have don't have that bit. Has anyone tried getting a big rubber washer to sit underneath the hoops between hoop and bodywork? Might make them a better fit, and prevent damage to the plastic bodywork.

Alex LS · Post by **Alex LS** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 5:21 pm

It's not moulded, it's just glued on. It's not a washer though, just a ring. I'm going to have a go this weekend at sticking it round the bottom of the replacements.

carl · Post by **carl** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 5:29 pm

I bought every size of tap washer I could find the other day (didn't know which would fit the spamspam taps). I'll have a look to see if any of them fit. I thought a proper washer would have a bit of 'flex' and would take up any gaps.

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Sat Jan 11, 2003 1:58 am

i don't think you really need anything at the bottom. mines have been on for ages now and not left a mark.

i think duncs mentioned about being able to buy a washer or something a number of months back - maybe worth a search

Alex LS · Post by **Alex LS** » Sat Jan 11, 2003 2:33 pm

It's not so much that they'd leave a mark, I just reckon it would look better.

carl · Post by **carl** » Sat Jan 11, 2003 9:47 pm

Fitted them this morning. Once the nuts are tightened up they look fine, but I still reckon they would look better with a washers under each.

I'll have a look in the local hardware shops -- none of my tap washers were anywhere near the right size

essexcc · Post by **essexcc** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 3:06 pm

Carl....if you have any joy with locating such an item, please let the rest of us know! I have just fitted my hoops this morn and tend to agree they would look better with a seal of some kind

Post by **Lyndon** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 3:08 pm

how about going to a big plumbing/diy shop to see if they do larger washers for say a hot water tank or something ????

essexcc · Post by **essexcc** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 3:10 pm

Sounds like a plan, cheers Lyndon I will have a look around

Alex, how r u getting on with yours??

Alex LS · Post by **Alex LS** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 3:34 pm

Looks like they are part of the moulding itself, after all. Mine just had a small split on one side making it look like they were seperate

carl · Post by **carl** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 6:27 pm

We've got one of those specialist hardware places where I live (i.e. not Homebase or Focus), and I've got to go in there to get some bits for my cordless screwdriver anywhere. I'll see what they have.

essexcc · Post by **essexcc** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 1:27 pm

Well I had a mooch around yesterday and found nothing! Im now gonna attempt to carefully cut the black seal off of the original hoops and try that!!!

If it goes well I will let ya know! Pictures pending on results

col · Post by **col** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 2:25 pm

Just a word of warning, make sure you don't actually raise the hoops any higher than they should go, otherwise you may find yourself with a broken rear window.

btw i think they look fine without the rubber seal

essexcc · Post by **essexcc** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 3:04 pm

Yeh, good point Col..... I noticed that when fitting me new ones yesterday...that window shuts very close to em!!!!

Off 2 experiment now.............

carl · Post by **carl** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 6:12 pm

Not sure the bits off the original hoops will work -- it seems the tube the hoop is made of is of a different shape to the ali ones I have. What I mean is that the ali ones seem to have a large oval cross section, whereas the originals seem to have a more round cross section.

I appreciate what's being said about breaking the rear window, but thought if I could get a soft rubber washer then it would compress pretty well. I can get my finger between the hoops and the window (just....)