Got a hardtop, got a problem...
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 7
Do you mean the catches that hook onto the windscreen top-rail rattle (like they did after my hard-top install)?
If so, the fix is easy! Simply tear up two small pieces of writing paper to about 1cm x 0.5cm each. Fold in half longways and then place under the hooks of the catches before locking the catches down. I find this puts just enough tension on to stop any rattles (and you can't see the paper if you fit it carefully).
If so, the fix is easy! Simply tear up two small pieces of writing paper to about 1cm x 0.5cm each. Fold in half longways and then place under the hooks of the catches before locking the catches down. I find this puts just enough tension on to stop any rattles (and you can't see the paper if you fit it carefully).
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Houston
I have a 01 w/ an OEM hardtop that's been on the car 95% of the time. I seem to be getting more and more noise, regardless of temperature though the cold doesn't help.
On rough pavement, which is pretty much anything in Houston, I get squeaking from the latch area. I've taken the car in for the TSB back at the end of 2001. The strikers still appear intact and won't budge by my hand. (Though I don't know how to measure if they've shifted somehow in the last two years). I can create a similar squeak from the unfastened latch if I try to shake it left to right, but I don't know that this is the motion that my hardtop is taking when I hit bumps. At any rate, the frequency of the squeaks goes up as I increase speed and presumably hit bumps more rapidly.
The severity of the noise though goes down until around 70 mph when it goes away for all but the most violent bumps and potholes. I theorize that the hardtop is aerodynamically locking down and combatting all the shifting and bouncing.
I also hear what I assume is the rubber gasket type material rubbing/squeaking at the top of my windscreen. This noise is sporadic and may be weather related. Have to study more.
Lastly, I get a rattling sound from the latches, almost as if something is loose inside the mechanism. This rattling comes with hard bumps, but is embarassingly loud.
Unfortunately, my inspections found no indications of broken or loose components.
So what now? The noise is definitely trending up (it is getting colder too). I like the paper fix, but I see this more as a bandaid than a solution. Has anyone tried to move the striker? I haven't even looked and don't know if they're say doweled in. Your thoughts guys?
On rough pavement, which is pretty much anything in Houston, I get squeaking from the latch area. I've taken the car in for the TSB back at the end of 2001. The strikers still appear intact and won't budge by my hand. (Though I don't know how to measure if they've shifted somehow in the last two years). I can create a similar squeak from the unfastened latch if I try to shake it left to right, but I don't know that this is the motion that my hardtop is taking when I hit bumps. At any rate, the frequency of the squeaks goes up as I increase speed and presumably hit bumps more rapidly.
The severity of the noise though goes down until around 70 mph when it goes away for all but the most violent bumps and potholes. I theorize that the hardtop is aerodynamically locking down and combatting all the shifting and bouncing.
I also hear what I assume is the rubber gasket type material rubbing/squeaking at the top of my windscreen. This noise is sporadic and may be weather related. Have to study more.
Lastly, I get a rattling sound from the latches, almost as if something is loose inside the mechanism. This rattling comes with hard bumps, but is embarassingly loud.
Unfortunately, my inspections found no indications of broken or loose components.
So what now? The noise is definitely trending up (it is getting colder too). I like the paper fix, but I see this more as a bandaid than a solution. Has anyone tried to move the striker? I haven't even looked and don't know if they're say doweled in. Your thoughts guys?
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,491
Likes: 1
From: Rochester, NY
Remove the top and apply the Sin-Etsu grease available at the dealers to all the contact surfaces at the windshield and around the opening the top sits on near the folded top. You may also be able to get away with using a silicone spray...
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,332
Likes: 2
From: On a fencepost
I've had this problem. If you kneel on the seat facing backwards, and tap the soft top latches, you can get them to rattle. On my car, it was the passenger side one that was a lot looser. It's nothing to do with the tensioning, rather it's side to side play - at least on my car.
Easily fixed. Simple use a small, cheap paintbrush and work some grease into the latches. Easiest to do this with the hard top removed, so you can get at the latches. Not had a problem since.
-Brian.
Easily fixed. Simple use a small, cheap paintbrush and work some grease into the latches. Easiest to do this with the hard top removed, so you can get at the latches. Not had a problem since.
-Brian.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,659
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn
Originally posted by bmarshall
I've had this problem. If you kneel on the seat facing backwards, and tap the soft top latches, you can get them to rattle. On my car, it was the passenger side one that was a lot looser. It's nothing to do with the tensioning, rather it's side to side play - at least on my car.
Easily fixed. Simple use a small, cheap paintbrush and work some grease into the latches. Easiest to do this with the hard top removed, so you can get at the latches. Not had a problem since.
-Brian.
I've had this problem. If you kneel on the seat facing backwards, and tap the soft top latches, you can get them to rattle. On my car, it was the passenger side one that was a lot looser. It's nothing to do with the tensioning, rather it's side to side play - at least on my car.
Easily fixed. Simple use a small, cheap paintbrush and work some grease into the latches. Easiest to do this with the hard top removed, so you can get at the latches. Not had a problem since.
-Brian.
This is exactly the problem I am describing. Can you elaborate?
Get a paintbrush and grease (what kind of grease?)
When you say work it into the latches, can you explain where exactly?
Thanks so much!
