I realize this could be a crazy undertaking. My soft top has a mildew odor & every time it rains, it becomes unbearable (the odor). I am considering removing the entire soft top assembly for the winter (hard topping it). The assembly appears to be mounted to the car by 4 bolts.

Has anybody ever done this??? Or am I digging myself a whole I'll regret?

Thanks,

 

I have not done that exactly but did help a friend replace his soft top. I would be sure that it is only those four bolts. I know that there will also be hydraulic ram attached to the bow and some miscellaneous cables running through the top. The soft top replacement was one job I am glad we did on his car first. We learned quite a few key points.
The other thing I would investigate is that it sounds like you have a leak. If the soft top is stowed and you get a mildew smell from the soft top when it rains chances are rain water is getting into the stowage compartment. I would try to get that fixed so it does not rust out your car from the inside out.

 

Thanks for your input, it is helpful. I'm actually talking about removing the entire soft top canvass & frame assembly. From my initial observation, the assembly looks to be mounted to the car by 4 bolts & 1 removable pin.

My concern is not the removal, but the installation next spring. Does anybody have any experience realigning the assembly? Is it a difficult task?