How To: Fit style bar covers on an MX-5

February 20th, 2010 by David Leave a reply »

Swapping the style bar covers (the trim over the rollover bars) from stock black to something less drab is a cheap and easy way to give your car a lift. Here’s my ‘How to..’ guide from September 2009.

Hi All,

Changing the style bar covers is super easy but there are a few tips that I found that makes the job easier. Firstly, use a paint scraper covered in insulation tape to pry off the front part. That is, the part towards the front of the car. The tape trick will avoid marking the plastic and works great.

Next you’ll have two screws to undo to free the rear cover. Assuming you don’t drop the screws down behind the trim you’ll be hard pushed to get this wrong. 🙂

You’ll need the little metal clips from the old covers for your new ones. They slide out easily with the aid of a small screwdriver. Remember to put them on the back of the two tabs.

When fitting the new covers there is one point that can catch you out. The metal tabs that are welded to the roll over bars should be sandwiched between the two plastic tabs. I didn’t do this the first time and found that the front part wouldn’t clip to the rear properly.

Put the screws in and clip on the front covers and your done.

I was pleasantly surprised at how nice the finished article looks. I’m glad I didn’t buy the chrome ones.

Dave

Advertisement

17 comments

  1. CY. says:

    Hi Dave, may I ask where did you purchase the silver covers from?

    Thanks

  2. David says:

    The style bar covers are quite over priced. Last time I checked they were £89.99 plus P&P. I got mine from eBay for £33.99. Another option would be to get the existing covers sprayed silver. However, someone I know did that and it seems like the roof sometimes catches the covers and has scraped the paint off.

  3. CY. says:

    Ok. Thanks. Can’t seem to find the silver ones online. Most I see are not cover replacements but rather just 3M tape stuck on over originals.

  4. Iain Benzie says:

    Hi Dave . Wouldn’t it be less fuss fitting the silver /chrome covers over the original black plastic. It gives a really good finish

  5. David says:

    Iain, the stick on ones are 42 quid from MX-5 Parts while the real deal was 30 quid on eBay. Also, I don’t think you can get the stick on ones in satin silver. Finally, you should know what I’m like. I love a bit of DIY. =)

  6. allan says:

    Hi David,great advice,spent 30mins out in the cold and slight snow trying to fit mine then gave up,then seen your advice and done in 5 minutes,they look great,many thanks

  7. Neil says:

    Dave
    Recently changed the style bars to the OEM silver sport ones.

    Couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t fit, until I looked at your article and noticed they need to sit on the bracket!

    Cheers for the picture.

  8. David says:

    Yes, it’s an easy mistake to make. I’m not sure why Mazda didn’t make it a bit simpler. Still, glad I could help.

  9. David says:

    Seems to be working now.

  10. Nick says:

    Hi Dave
    Thanks for your information. I spent an hour trying to get the cover to fit and didn’t realise until I saw your explanation about ensuring that the clips sandwiched the welded clips on the bar. Once I was aware of this they fitted easily and look great.

  11. Alan says:

    Hi Dave,

    Thank you for the photos and details you provided.

    I’ve been struggling for many hours to clip my original (front) and new fashion covers (rear) together only to discover I hadn’t slid the welded bracket between the plastic fitting (photo 4).

    Very pleased now.. Thanks again

  12. Andrew says:

    Hi David,
    Thanks to your advice, I could easily install new satin silver (the colour of the car also) roll bar covers! Before that I tried to improvise, but the covers did not fit.
    After following your advice, was very clear. In 5 minutes both covers were changed! Really appreciate it!

  13. Keith says:

    Thanks Dave very helpful , will be looking up your other tips

  14. Bobby says:

    When you say your glad you never purchased the chrome back seat covers, why is this as there the ones I would like ? Thank you.

  15. David says:

    Bobby, I felt that the satin silver was a better match for the other interior accent pieces. Also, I thought that the large chrome pieces would be too bling. The satin silver was more subtle. That said, I have seen other cars with the chrome and it looked fine. So, if you like the look of the chrome, go for it!

  16. Phil says:

    Warm thanks for this little important detail, that is not clearly mentionned on the bloody japanese notice : I did not pay attention that the metal tab had to be sandwiched ! It makes indeed just a small difference of 2 millimeters, but this is enough to make it completely impossible to mount ! I was turning mad, befor I saw your post, and finally managed to get my covers perfectly fitted ! 🙂

  17. Alain Gheysens says:

    Hello Dave. I really like the different articles on your site but I never see the related pictures.
    Do I have to suscribe tour your blog and how can I do this?
    Best regards