[PureAdrenaline]

I am changing my seat hoop covers to black. So you get to see what's hiding under there

 

[RBH58]

None the wiser. The image links don't work

 

[PureAdrenaline]

Try this then.

 

[RBH58]

Gee. Just as well that they cover them.

 

[iamz]

I'm surprised to see aluminum but I guess weight savings was a big factor.

Any tips on how to get the hoop covers off?

 

[PureAdrenaline]

Gee. Just as well that they cover them.

Yup...unimpressive to say the least...oh well...at least they're covered

 

[PureAdrenaline]

I'm surprised to see aluminum but I guess weight savings was a big factor.

Any tips on how to get the hoop covers off?

The black plastic cover on the front side of the hoop unclips from the colored side...typical plastic car clips...then one screw at the top of the hoop and 2 clips at the bottom...once you get the front piece off you will be able to see how...the front black piece is pretty tight...the clips work real well...

 

[iamz]

The black plastic cover on the front side of the hoop unclips from the colored side...typical plastic car clips...then one screw at the top of the hoop and 2 clips at the bottom...once you get the front piece off you will be able to see how...the front black piece is pretty tight...the clips work real well...

Cool, thanks. I have a project I want to try that requires getting them off.

 

[reece146]

Yeah, I saw similar pictures at m.net. Really shitty weld quality. Fire those robots!

 

[LongBeachJim]

This forum needs a "swap meet" section for discarded items, lol, like for the old seat hoop covers you no longer need. Thus far I have discarded gunmetal mirror caps, the three silver dash air vent assemblies, and the stock front brakes & rotors.

I wonder how protective those hoops are in a rollover.

 

[PureAdrenaline]

This forum needs a "swap meet" section for discarded items, lol, like for the old seat hoop covers you no longer need. Thus far I have discarded gunmetal mirror caps, the three silver dash air vent assemblies, and the stock front brakes & rotors.

I wonder how protective those hoops are in a rollover.

They do not look like they were built to withstand a rollover...

 

[LongBeachJim]

They do not look like they were built to withstand a rollover...

A false sense of safety for the consumer? I once owned a late 90's BMW convertible and I had read that they reinforced the A-pillars for rollover protection. When I turn 80 in twenty years maybe I won't care about safety anymore, lol.

 

[Stewie]

I think they have to be able to withstand a rollover. Otherwise... I mean... off with your head, no ?

 

[Greg]

I am curious about how strong they are as well. Thanks for posting those pictures.

Greg

 

[ItsyBitsy]

How much pressure can an aluminum seat hoop like that take? I'm sure it can handle a rollover as that's the main purpose of them, but it doesn't looks very strong.

 

[Greg]

I don't know how well they will hold up, perhaps we should buy a sacrificial Miata to find out.

Greg

 

[Newod]

I have read ( I will try to find the reference) that the hoop has to withstand a roll caused by a car hitting a kerb at less than 30mph. In other words it just falls over not a high speed roll.

The weld is a friction weld between aluminium tube and steel plates - try doing that by hand. But it does look poor.

Danny

 

[Greg]

The weld is a friction weld between aluminium tube and steel plates - try doing that by hand. But it does look poor.

Danny

Newod, for the non welders here, can you explain what that means?

Greg

 

[JFernald]

I have read ( I will try to find the reference) that the hoop has to withstand a roll caused by a car hitting a kerb at less than 30mph. In other words it just falls over not a high speed roll.

The weld is a friction weld between aluminium tube and steel plates - try doing that by hand. But it does look poor.

Danny

Good-Win Racing sells bolt on real roll bar replacements. I think they, or their manufacturer, were the source of that information.

 

[reece146]

The weld quality sucks.

Looks like some guy that has drank too much sake blobbed it on while hungover.

FWIW, the weld quality on my S2000 sucked also.

Not sure why this stuff is not robot welded - or TIG'ed.

If it is... oh my god, fire the programmer.