Best 3 minute $3 mod I have ever done.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,779
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From: ATL
Best 3 minute $3 mod I have ever done.
so we have all seen the threads on here with response to wind noise and latch rattle. well yesterday i went to home depot and got crafty. i know i have read about other people who have done this, but i decided that i would do a quick DIY write up with pics.
most people say that you should change out your strikers to fix these issues, and for some that may be the most feasible solution if yours are really worn down badly. but for most this quick fix should be a more wise choice. $3>$50+.
tools needed: scissors, razor blade, snips, or knife maybe.
so i went to the tubing isle at home depot and found this for $3 and some change:
as pictured above, you will need to cut off a small piece about 3/4" long to slide over the "hook" of the latch.
you will also need a piece about 1/4" long that you will need to split open as pictured below. i did this second piece just for extra cushioning/tightening (you may not have to).
(not pictured, i cut this one in half to use on on each side)
once you have taken the first piece and slid it over the "hook," take the second piece and hold it around the edge of where the "hook" meets the striker as pictured below.
last, just close the latch to the striker, and you will immediately feel how much tighter and snug the latch goes on.
after doing this i went straight to the hwy and hit 80+mph with almost zero wind noise. i have also noticed that the latches do not rattle at all anymore.
the only bad thing about doing this is that months or maybe even more than a year down the road, the tubing may become flattened out, and may need periodic replacement, but hey! you should still have plenty of tubing leftover and it only takes a couple minutes to do.
GOOD LUCK!
most people say that you should change out your strikers to fix these issues, and for some that may be the most feasible solution if yours are really worn down badly. but for most this quick fix should be a more wise choice. $3>$50+.
tools needed: scissors, razor blade, snips, or knife maybe.
so i went to the tubing isle at home depot and found this for $3 and some change:
as pictured above, you will need to cut off a small piece about 3/4" long to slide over the "hook" of the latch.
you will also need a piece about 1/4" long that you will need to split open as pictured below. i did this second piece just for extra cushioning/tightening (you may not have to).
(not pictured, i cut this one in half to use on on each side)
once you have taken the first piece and slid it over the "hook," take the second piece and hold it around the edge of where the "hook" meets the striker as pictured below.
last, just close the latch to the striker, and you will immediately feel how much tighter and snug the latch goes on.
after doing this i went straight to the hwy and hit 80+mph with almost zero wind noise. i have also noticed that the latches do not rattle at all anymore.
the only bad thing about doing this is that months or maybe even more than a year down the road, the tubing may become flattened out, and may need periodic replacement, but hey! you should still have plenty of tubing leftover and it only takes a couple minutes to do.
GOOD LUCK!
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,779
Likes: 1
From: ATL
Originally Posted by spdracerut,Sep 24 2010, 11:31 AM
I used some general purpose motorcycle bearing grease. A little messy.... but it did the trick.
this way actually helps snug my hardtop also.
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Originally Posted by swifbboy,Sep 24 2010, 11:21 AM
so we have all seen the threads on here with response to wind noise and latch rattle. well yesterday i went to home depot and got crafty. i know i have read about other people who have done this, but i decided that i would do a quick DIY write up with pics.
most people say that you should change out your strikers to fix these issues, and for some that may be the most feasible solution if yours are really worn down badly. but for most this quick fix should be a more wise choice. $3>$50+.
tools needed: scissors, razor blade, snips, or knife maybe.
so i went to the tubing isle at home depot and found this for $3 and some change:
as pictured above, you will need to cut off a small piece about 3/4" long to slide over the "hook" of the latch.
you will also need a piece about 1/4" long that you will need to split open as pictured below. i did this second piece just for extra cushioning/tightening (you may not have to).
(not pictured, i cut this one in half to use on on each side)
once you have taken the first piece and slid it over the "hook," take the second piece and hold it around the edge of where the "hook" meets the striker as pictured below.
last, just close the latch to the striker, and you will immediately feel how much tighter and snug the latch goes on.
after doing this i went straight to the hwy and hit 80+mph with almost zero wind noise. i have also noticed that the latches do not rattle at all anymore.
the only bad thing about doing this is that months or maybe even more than a year down the road, the tubing may become flattened out, and may need periodic replacement, but hey! you should still have plenty of tubing leftover and it only takes a couple minutes to do.
GOOD LUCK!
most people say that you should change out your strikers to fix these issues, and for some that may be the most feasible solution if yours are really worn down badly. but for most this quick fix should be a more wise choice. $3>$50+.
tools needed: scissors, razor blade, snips, or knife maybe.
so i went to the tubing isle at home depot and found this for $3 and some change:
as pictured above, you will need to cut off a small piece about 3/4" long to slide over the "hook" of the latch.
you will also need a piece about 1/4" long that you will need to split open as pictured below. i did this second piece just for extra cushioning/tightening (you may not have to).
(not pictured, i cut this one in half to use on on each side)
once you have taken the first piece and slid it over the "hook," take the second piece and hold it around the edge of where the "hook" meets the striker as pictured below.
last, just close the latch to the striker, and you will immediately feel how much tighter and snug the latch goes on.
after doing this i went straight to the hwy and hit 80+mph with almost zero wind noise. i have also noticed that the latches do not rattle at all anymore.
the only bad thing about doing this is that months or maybe even more than a year down the road, the tubing may become flattened out, and may need periodic replacement, but hey! you should still have plenty of tubing leftover and it only takes a couple minutes to do.
GOOD LUCK!
