hi everybody,

i recently picked up an 08 and the soft top frame (at least that's where it sounds like it's coming from) squeaks everything the car drives over an uneven surface. for example, driving into a driveway or going diagonally into a dip. it sounds like it's coming from above and behind my head, or maybe even behind the passenger's head. my untrained ears are telling me that it's the soft top frame that's squeaking. it's a loud and long squeak. however, it does not make any noise while the car is not going over uneven pavement.

i know the car's soft top has been replaced at some point prior to my ownership.

what's the best way to start troubleshooting?

 

Before you do anything try this. Put the top up all the way, latch the latches like normal. Now bump the switch to try and pull the top down just a very small amount. This puts a preload on the frame and makes it more rigid and less likely to make noise. I would also spray some lube onto the pivots a couple times a year.

 

hey freetors,

thank you for the advice.

what do you mean by "bump the switch"? where should I grasp to pull the top down? the handle above the map light?

 

See also:
https://www.s2ki.com/stor/library/TSB/a03-023/index.htm

 

What I meant was to flip the switch back like you're going to lower the top. It should actually stop by itself because the motor isn't that strong.

 

I did see one post where after looking for a top squeak for a time it was found a loose spare tire hold down was the noise source.