Struts Leaking
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,842
Likes: 1,701
From: Illnoise. WAY downtown, jerky.
They're $100...you're making it out like A) You have to buy them every other year and B) they're some super rare gold plated part.
I'd skip all the "fixes" and just buy the appropriate part....
https://hardtopguy.com/store/250.html?category_id=93
I'd skip all the "fixes" and just buy the appropriate part....
https://hardtopguy.com/store/250.html?category_id=93
How much are the latches?
I didn't say the strikers by themselves were pricey, did I?
The latches and strikers together are $320-350ish.
You're also misunderstanding my points....
Point 1:
While that isn't a formidable sum for kings like you...its a large amount to spend on some stupid latch.
Point 2:
They're charging $350ish for latches today. That price is likely to increase, as it has historically.
The supply of these parts will also eventually fall off.
Point 3:
The top is supposed to be helped while closing (there's a handle, right)? And its good practice to not snap the latch shut.
After spending said amount; to prevent them from being a biannualexpense as you mentioned, my recommendation was to be careful with them so that they keep working well for a long time.
I also provided the other solutions as secondary or temporary.
What other crimes against S2KI am I being charged with today?
Last edited by B serious; Aug 4, 2020 at 10:49 AM.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
From: So Cal
-Is it normal for the convertible rag top to make so much noise (when up) as in creaking noises or seems not as compliant I feel like the car feels so much better with the top down.
-The leather on the seats makes noise too, ESPECIALLY around the seatbelt area (behind my ear). It's driving me nuts.
-I think the seats are decent, but the lack of lumbar is really noticed after a long drive. I never felt that on my STi.
Stereo is OK. Not as bas as some make it out to be.
-The leather on the seats makes noise too, ESPECIALLY around the seatbelt area (behind my ear). It's driving me nuts.
-I think the seats are decent, but the lack of lumbar is really noticed after a long drive. I never felt that on my STi.
Stereo is OK. Not as bas as some make it out to be.
Yes the leather is noisy, but leather conditioner helps.
Other than that I don't hear any other noises.
Trying to get good sound in any car is difficult, but being its a convertible is a lost cause for me. I am an audiophile and wear IEMs while driving, which might be illegal, but I don't care.
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 8,745
Likes: 1,850
I'd never heard this notion of preserving the latches. Never used the handle. But it seems like good idea to use it as B suggests.
That said, I've been 3 season dd my car for 8 years, and put the top down every time I drive, even if its a 1 min trip (since its so easy to out it down then up). BUT, I rarely use the latches. If I park at work, go to a store, park in my garage, I put the top up, but leave it unlatched. Pretty much only time I use the latches is if I'm going to drive with top up, which is only if its well below freezing, or precipitating heavily. So not a heavy latch user.
From now on I'll try to remember to use the handle when latching.
That said, I've been 3 season dd my car for 8 years, and put the top down every time I drive, even if its a 1 min trip (since its so easy to out it down then up). BUT, I rarely use the latches. If I park at work, go to a store, park in my garage, I put the top up, but leave it unlatched. Pretty much only time I use the latches is if I'm going to drive with top up, which is only if its well below freezing, or precipitating heavily. So not a heavy latch user.
From now on I'll try to remember to use the handle when latching.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
I do not hear creaks in the soft top frame from mine, and its a 2000 AP1. But as B Serious stated you could swap out the latches and strikers which may help. What I do notice is if I pull down on the center handle while on the highway the wind noise drops significantly. My strikers and latches do look worn so if I replaced them it may help out with wind noise since I will get a tighter seel. I agree top down is when it feels the best, which is what's intended since its a roadster, the rag top is pretty much an afterthought.
Yes the leather is noisy, but leather conditioner helps.
Other than that I don't hear any other noises.
Trying to get good sound in any car is difficult, but being its a convertible is a lost cause for me. I am an audiophile and wear IEMs while driving, which might be illegal, but I don't care.
Yes the leather is noisy, but leather conditioner helps.
Other than that I don't hear any other noises.
Trying to get good sound in any car is difficult, but being its a convertible is a lost cause for me. I am an audiophile and wear IEMs while driving, which might be illegal, but I don't care.
I see you are in Socal too. Where about are you located?
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 29,784
Likes: 5,401
From: Ontario Canada
Bilstein PSS (w / non adjustable shocks) are coilovers that ride better than stock and handle better as well. I loved them and I would run them before anything else given my desire for a nice ride. No complaints and I am very picky about ride quality.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
From: So Cal
You mean for maintenance? The S I maintain on my own, that's what I use the forum for, mostly just been a silent participant for the past few years. But I take my lexus to 5 Star Tire in Pomona and I would not hesitate to take my S2K there if there was something I didn't have the tools or was too hard to handle. If you are looking for S2k only Mid Valley Auto Repair is in your neck of the woods. I wanted a quote to upgrade my AP1 keepers and retainers for the valves with AP2 hardware and Vtec Automotive in Diamond Bar referred me to Ballade Sports in OC.
Registered User
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
@Justin Stern I have a set of original struts that came off my 05 that has 57k and FL driven. I'll give it to you if you want. I am local, San Gabriel valley.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 250
Likes: 43
From: Peoria, Illinois
How much are the latches?
I didn't say the strikers by themselves were pricey, did I?
The latches and strikers together are $320-350ish.
You're also misunderstanding my points....
Point 1:
While that isn't a formidable sum for kings like you...its a large amount to spend on some stupid latch.
Point 2:
They're charging $350ish for latches today. That price is likely to increase, as it has historically.
The supply of these parts will also eventually fall off.
Point 3:
The top is supposed to be helped while closing (there's a handle, right)? And its good practice to not snap the latch shut.
After spending said amount; to prevent them from being a biannualexpense as you mentioned, my recommendation was to be careful with them so that they keep working well for a long time.
I also provided the other solutions as secondary or temporary.
What other crimes against S2KI am I being charged with today?
I didn't say the strikers by themselves were pricey, did I?
The latches and strikers together are $320-350ish.
You're also misunderstanding my points....
Point 1:
While that isn't a formidable sum for kings like you...its a large amount to spend on some stupid latch.
Point 2:
They're charging $350ish for latches today. That price is likely to increase, as it has historically.
The supply of these parts will also eventually fall off.
Point 3:
The top is supposed to be helped while closing (there's a handle, right)? And its good practice to not snap the latch shut.
After spending said amount; to prevent them from being a biannualexpense as you mentioned, my recommendation was to be careful with them so that they keep working well for a long time.
I also provided the other solutions as secondary or temporary.
What other crimes against S2KI am I being charged with today?
I am, in fact, not a king! With that being said, $350 is a lot of money for latches, I do agree. I misread what you were saying as many when talking about the striker plates just say "latches"...as in "I need to fix the latches" when the striker plate is the issue. I've never personally heard of or experienced the latch mechanism itself breaking, and I've owned 3 of these vehicles now. Of course, that's not to say it doesn't happen, they are obviously selling the part after all.