how to take off the rollbar padding?
 

Hi,

I am sure someone did that before and can give me a few hints:

I am trying to take off the rollbar padding to mount a Brey-Krause rollbar extension.
In theory it should work like this: Using a broad tip screwdriver and a cloth towel (under the screwdriver), gently pry off the factory roll hoop padding.

In reality I don't get the padding off. I am applying as much force as I think I can without leaving permanent marks in the (very soft) roll bar padding, but it doesn't come off.

Is there a trick/step I am missing?

Thanks for any tips

Did you try cursing at it yet?

Did you find a write-up one the removal process? I've seen pictures somewhere of the tool and where to pry to get it to release.

Tool pants has a post on Renntech with pictures. Basically, he uses a pry tool (or screwdriver) and pulls like your life depends on it. It will come off but requires ALOT of pulling, and I mean ALOT.

It's been a while since I've done it (to replace the wind stop base clips) but I think the padding is held on by button-type clips along the centerline of the padding. Starting at the bottom (near the door) put your padded screw driver up the center portion of the padding and pry out. It might help if you put something under the screw driver blade to act as a fulcrum, in which case you'd pry down. They do pop out and after you've seen how they are attached the rest are much easier to deal with.

Guys, thanks for all the tips.

I'll give it a try tonight, but now I know that unless there is brute force and a lot of swearing involved, they won't come off. :D

So far I did only the swearing...

I removed mine a few weeks ago with ALOT of trouble. You do have to pry and pull, pry and pull, pry and (I guess you get the picture). The trouble is if you don't know how they're held in place you hate to just pry things off cause you know you're going to break something... The pads actualy have what appear to be threaded bolts sticking out the back of them and these "bolts" simply slip inside a nylon bushing that is stuck in a hole in the roll bar. These threaded bolts or rods are held firmly in place by the friction between the nylon bushing and the threads. You need to pull or pry straight out a little at each attaching point until you can get a good grip on the piece to pull the whole thing out. The two "U" shaped pads have 3 treaded rods each and the one straight pad has two attaching rods. Save the nylon bushings and reuse them when monting. It appears that the more times you take then off, the easier it is as the bushing starts to "break in" and gets a little worn. I hope never to have to remove mine again. I'm painting the roll bar to match the body color and then reattaching the pads for good!!!! :mad:

Pictures attached courtesy of Tool Pants from Renntech.org Don't forget the shouting....

Thanks for all the tips and hints.
Now that I knew WHERE to pull on how HARD to pull (and when to curse) I got them off and the roll bar on :cheers: