Mark S.

I have tried everything from tightening the rear latch, lubricating all the latches, silicon spray, inserting business cards in the front latch, lowering the latches a bit, with no success in getting rid of a slight "creak" coming from behind my left shoulder. I know it's in the top because when I take the top off and drive around, the noise goes away. I've only removed the top a couple of times in the past couple of years and I have 7K miles. I just don't understand why GM decided on this latch system. They should have kept the "bolt" system of the C4...it took longer to get it off, but when you bolted the top back on...she didn't budge at all.
Anyway, I've heard that putting velcro between the latch handle silver strike plate and the silver strike plate (with the roller) can sometimes tighten and get rid of the noise. My question is do you cover the little roller on the latch with the strip of velcro (with adhesive backing). I understand that the convertibles have some velcro located on their latches. I'm just want to know where I should place the velcro strip exactly. Thanks!
Yes, playing the radio will cover up the noise...but when it's off...the creaking really gets annoying. GM did not do their homework on this.

2001 Cpe, MN6, Z51


[Modified by Mark S., 6:40 AM 5/12/2003]

C54FUN

Mark, a liitle velcro worked for me. I bought some industrial grad velcro and cut it to fit the windshield side latch, including a cutout for the hole. That's all it took. In fact, once a summer I replace the old with some new; works like a charm Give it a try...
Joe

mr_dakota

I also tried a number of things to make the top a bit quieter. Lubed the rubber (and the top itself). Placed a strip of wax-paper between the top and the gasket. Didn't help a bit. I adjusted the front left latch (where my noise seemed to come from) to snug it down a bit more. When I tightened it down, I could feel that I made it tighter by the pressure required on the handle when latching. I was surprised when making it tighter made it noisier! Aha! Maybe it is too tight. So I loosened it up and drove it and the noise had gone away. Cumbersom process. Take top off. Loosten 10mm bolts. Adjust bracket. Tighten bolts. Put top on. Test drive. Repeat as necessary. Took me about 5 cycles of this before I got it where it didn't make noise and yet was snugged down enough to not leak. I used two small pieces of duct tape to mark where I started, so I would have a reference point in the next adjustment. This seems to be working, so far. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed. That top noise can REALLY get to you after awhile. :hurray:

Mark S.

Joe, did you place the velcro on the black surface of the windshield latch? If so, I know that there is still some space there when it is closed (i.e. the top never really touches that area in the locked position). I thought the velcro should go over the shiny area on the latch (even covering up the small metal roller). That's where some posters say that they have placed business cards. (I did try that and it didn't work).

Mr. Dakota, I agree, the adjustment process is a PITA. I tightened the latch and then it seem to make more noise, then I loosened it again and the noise was still there, but back to the original noise. Then I tightened the rear latch and that seemed to help, but the noise has returned. I will give Joe's method a shot. But when I look at the latch from the inside, if I put the velcro between the top and the top portion of the latch...I'm not sure if the velcro will actually be enough to fill in that space. On the other hand, I could put the Velcro underneath the windshield latch (shiney metal surface and even cover the roller) since I definitely know that it makes contact with the handle latch from the top.
I'll give it a shot this afternoon.

I still think that I'm hearing that creak behind my left shoulder...but it's got to be the front left latch causing it.


[Modified by Mark S., 11:45 AM 5/9/2003]

mr_dakota

Yeah. What a pain! I think I tend to agree with what someone else mentioned. The C4 method was time consuming, but quiet.

Mark S.

Mr. Dakota, what really gets me is I'm sure that the plant didn't spend that much time in adjusting the top (i.e. tightening, loosening, test driving, etc.). I wonder how they did it. It never creaked until now (2.5 years later and 7K miles).

Big Casino

:confused:

low flyier

man, all the people with problems always seem to be the guys with no miles on te car?
top off twice in how many years?? :confused:

i have the glass top and the pewter top both came with the car!
now that it is summer i'm taking it on and off three time a day if i park places
i take it off at red lights like a "chineese fire drill"]
it is quite never a sound when it is on? :confused:
68,900 miles on the daily drive and no sounds :thumbs:
the more i drive it the better it gets!
i hit 130"s-140"s all the time on the hwy early morning ride but bake off for cop fear :nono:
i have spent money on mods but realy nothing on repairs so far!!!!
and it is a hard drive well oiled 98 machine! :)
they are made to drive.

take that top off and put some great miles on it! dont save it for the next guy :conehead
you could die tomarrow and have 7,140 on the garage queen :smash:


[Modified by low flyier, 3:36 PM 5/9/2003]

REDGAR

Give me some that industrial velcro will you? The creaking is cracking me up:(

Mark S.

Low Flyier, that's probably why yours never creaks...it doesn't have a chance to stay on. :D

I've done some research and I've found that the Acura NSX owners and Ferrari owners were complaining about the creaking noises from their targa tops. I guess it comes with the territory. But as I said, I never had one creak come from my '94 Coupe top in seven years.

Of course, I'm also wondering if my Z51 suspension is contributing to this problem.

9tee9c5

I was one of the idiots who forgot to latch the top one time. The stock top was absolutely perfect from a noise perspective, but had a slight car wash leak (not rain). I felt the factory did adjust.

When I got the new top, it had instructions for adjusting (should be on the tech tips). The new top was creaking and I put up with it for awhile. Then I adjusted the left latch and quiet she became.

I would never want the rachets as it just takes too much time. The good news is the three latches are adjustable. So, either play around with the adjustments/velcro or get lucky enough to find a dealer who has a guy who really knows C5's.

Mark S.

9tee9c5, roger that...but the tech tip info is a bit unclear. I don't want to ruin the latching mechanism. I did adjust the left latch plate on the windshield header (lowered it just a bit...trying to tighten it more) and the noise became louder. I have already tightened up the rear latch hook and it did help to get rid of some of the noise. I still think that the noise is coming from over my left shoulder (and the front latches). But it's very possible that the front latches are responsible for the noise. If I put any more silicon grease on everything, the roof will slide off on its own. :lol:
But I am dissapointed in the design. You can't expect those latches to handle the kind of twisting force that the windshield frame puts on them. Just to make it easier to take the top off, they've sacrificed interior noise...and to me, it cheapens the car, besides being distracting.

Mark S.

C54FUN, could you please post some photos of exactly where you placed the velcro. I did as you said and there is still a small gap when the top is in place (i.e. the top is not even touching the velcro strips (with a cut out for the pin hole). Thanks, Mark

C54FUN

Mark, as I am going out of town, cannot get you the pics real quickly. All I can say is that based on my experience, velcro on the windshield latch side was enough. In fact, with it in place, the latches are real snug when locking the top in place. For you to have a space with the velcro in place is confusing and hard to understand...could your top be that far out of adjustment? Will try to get you the pics.

Edgar, I will bring some industrial grade velcro with me to the next ECS Challenge; we can do a trackside mod....

Joe



[Modified by C54FUN, 12:15 PM 5/12/2003]

Mark S.

Joe, yes some pics would be really helpful. I placed the velcro on top of the windshield latch (not the shiney side with the roller). After I locked the top in position, I moved my sun visor out of the way and with the Vette Penlight I could see space (almost a quarter of an inch) between my top and the latch. Basically, the velcro was doing nothing to either increase the latching force or provide a buffer between the top and the latch.
I'm using the velcro strips you buy at automotive stores (size of a regular size bandaid). You mentioned industrial sized velcro...are we talking about very thick (i.e. 1/2 inch thick) velcro that you use? Thanks, Mark


[Modified by Mark S., 2:12 PM 5/12/2003]


[Modified by Mark S., 7:41 AM 5/13/2003]

mrtoner

The Velcro REALLY WORKS!! My '97 has (had) a creaking from both sides, and an occasional "clunk" or tapping noise when my right tires hit bumps. I put on the velcro, and also noticed a spot where the black paint was nicked, so I put velcro over it, too. Sure enough, the creaks STOPPED, and the clunk is gone.

Thanks! :cool:

Mark S.

mrtoner, I could understand that in your case...what did you say you had?...100K miles on your 97? (but I only have 7K miles) :D

C54FUN

Mark, bought my velcro at Home Depot. It comes two pieces in a pack in a 1X3 size. As for how many miles before the creaking begins, I think that's going to vary; albeit at 7K miles (virtually new) I would be looking to the dealer for the remedy. Still working on your pictures.
Joe


[Modified by C54FUN, 2:12 PM 5/14/2003]

Mark S.

Joe, roger that...standing by for the pictures. In the meantime, do check to see if your top actually does touch the velcro you put in on top of your windshield latch. I placed velcro in-between the top and windshield latch (the velcro is lying flat on top of the windshield latch plate) and there is a least a quarter inch space (i.e. the top never touches the velcro). You'll need your penlite to check it out and visor well out of the way. Mark


[Modified by Mark S., 2:33 PM 5/14/2003]


[Modified by Mark S., 2:36 PM 5/14/2003]


[Modified by Mark S., 2:38 PM 5/14/2003]

mrtoner

My '97 has 40K miles :cool: