Hi all,

Recently installed an OEM hardtop and please, believe me when i say i've searched and read every thread i could find but none appear to relate to this particular noise.

Has anyone encountered the lining creaking along the front edge? Its not the seal (although i have greased that) if you slide your fingers between the roof and the windscreen surround and pull back you can feel it and hear it creaking along the edge of the lining. This obviously happens then the car is moving and hits any sort of uneven road.

I noticed the left side of my hardtop sits about 1-2mm further forward that the right so i am going to adjust this at the rear bolts but I'm not sure this will help.

Anyone else had this or have any ideas?

I have hardtop strikers and ive greased all seals.

 

Your problem is probably ultimately due to an adjustment issue. Try experimenting with the shims that are under the front latches, from memory there are 3 shims per side. This will change the height at the front windscreen enough to adjust it either left or right. Another alternative is to latch up the fronts, but loosen the rear pin latches at the bolts, go for a drive, stop on the side of the road and tighten them all up. This allows the roof to settle into the seals better and merge with all the greased areas. Failing all this your HT may be not exactly square, so having different number of shims in all 4 corners will be your best adjustment solution, along with the rear pins adjustments. The shims really do the job in adjusting to suite the particular car and HT. Nearly forgot to mention that dremeling slots in the front latches can give some adjustment as well, but it would see this as a last resort.
Good luck with it all.

 

^xoz fitted my HT, perfect fitment.


Recently my lining has been creaking along the front right and left. It would creak when the car twists due to the front left or right wheel mounting the driveway first.

I took it off to regrease the seals. Havent fitted the HT on again to check but ill keep you posted.

 

I think you'll find that level of twist on driveways and undulations is something to live with, unless you change to fixed brackets or welding