Found a new hardtop tool today

[Noizemaker]

So, I picked up the Elise about 15 days ago. Day one, i pulled the HT and ran around topless, then put it back on. I noticed the Hex key just isn't a great tool for working in the tight spaces around the corners of the top as I kept banging it into things. Since then, I have been looking for a decent substitute that meets 2 criteria.

1: Lightweight since it's going to live in the car.
2: Small enough to fit in the stock toolkit bag.

I've turned down any number of ratcheting screwdrivers on the basis of not fitting in the toolbag, while nested in the battery box.

I think I found it today. I was at Harbor Freight looking for ramps to do my oil change on, and found a ring ratchet on the shelf. I tried it, and it seems to not hit anything, plus it's small, fits in the toolbag, and was dirt cheap.

It's 2 seperate tools you have to buy, but they total a whopping 9.00 between them.

The first is SKU 95895, the ring ratchet. It's 4.99.
The 2nd is SKU 35187 (not available online apparently), a hex/torx bit set. This piece is 3.99.
You end up throwing all the spare bits and nut drivers from the ring ratchet in your toolbox. You throw all but one of the hex bits in there too. I threw the bitchin-cool wrist mounted tool strap shown in the ad out entirely.

Combine the ring ratchet and the T40 from the hex bit set. You get this:



It fits in the tool kit, and if you're worried about applying enough torque, the stock key is still there, available for that last little bit of torque that won't be in danger of marring the paint. If this tool is already common knowledge, whoops. Figured i'd share and didn't see it mentioned.

[RichS]

I like it.

But...

I've never found a need to remove my hard top while 'in the wild' that would necessitate this. I use a ratcheting screw driver that I either use at home and/or take to the track with me. I'm already taking the screw driver and it's attachments anyway, so it's not a big deal for me.

[...m...]

...likewise, since i can't carry the top with the car, i've never had the need to remove or re-attach the hardtop unless i'm already in the garage, in which case a stubby ratchet makes short work of the job...

[Noizemaker]

Since it's my daily, i know at some point i'll be on a group drive or similar and feel like leaving the top in a hotel room or base of operations. With my luck I'd forget the ratcheting driver at home and be annoyed. Day 1 I removed it at work and left it in a coworkers accord while we went to lunch, so it's not unheard of for me, I guess. Guess it's good to knwo that's not 'normal' though. Heh.

[...m...]

...ah, makes sense, then...

...i lost the central not-so-captive screw from the front fascia the first time i removed my hardtop in the field, so i've made it a slow and deliberate effort ever since...

[dbisbee]

Here is what I use. The bit is called a EZ T30 has a slightly tapered tip that allows it to fit into the hardtop screws at an angle. I start the screws manually with just the tool and extension then I use the drill with torque set around 5 to 7 and slow speed. I do sometimes use high speed to remove it. I can take the top off or on in far less time. Maybe a minute.

If you ever tried a normal T30 I think you will find that the angle destroys the screw heads as it will not fit correctly.

Could I be so bold as to recommend this to become a sticky?