Zipper broken? It might be easier fixed than you think

[Philip Magnussen]

Hi all, I have noticed quite a few MX5s around with faulty zippers, and the
email archive on the club website reinforces this view, but you might find
that it is far easier (and cheaper) to fix than you think.

I put up with my zipper for ages, always getting annoyed at it and having to
pull it in certain directions to do the damn thing up properly, until
finally it failed all together. Not wanting to have to spend $200 replacing
the zip, I thought I would try myself, and low and behold it only cost $25!

First up, although the zip would not 'zip' together, instead coming apart at
certain points around the soft-top, it turned out that it was only the
slider (or head) that was at fault. The metal had worn away with the
regular use (I have always been conscientious with the back window) and so
the head was not forcing the two sides of the zip together properly.

To remove the slider just pull the velcro attached sections of the soft-top
apart on the left hand side of the vehicle, and you will see a large staple
at the 'bottom' of the zip. Use a pair of pliars to pull this out (you can
easily reinsert it later) and then you can pull the slider right out and
examine it for wear and tear.

If the slider is worn, contact your MX5 dealer for Part number NA01-R1-250B
(Head, Zipper-Back Window). This will cost $24.80 including GST. Several
Mazda dealers could not help with this (probably didn't want to try to hard)
but John Andrew Ford/Mazda in Grey Lynn were wonderful.

A day later I had my new slider, and it was simply a matter of sliding it
in, sipping up to check the zip, and then reinserting the staple. This was
not very hard as once it has been straightened out you can push it through
with your fingers, and then bend the 'teeth' back down, so sealing the
zipper once again and voila! The zip works like new again.

I hope this helps some of you, as it is so easy (and cheap) to fix.
Cheers
Phil

[David Burggraaf (FAL ...]

I've had this problem before on a number of cars. Another medium term fix is
to pinch the zip slide guides together just slightly with pliers with the
zip in place. Too much and it becomes very tight and it is almost impossible
to loosen again, so be careful and only pinch it a bit at a time until it is
right. If you bugger it up, buy a new slide.

Dave