jdk541

I know this topic has been beaten to death, but I wanted to share some information about the creaking targa top repair I just did. I have had this car since May 2012 and the creaking roof has been driving me nuts. I tried every different lube, etc.. to quiet it but nothing has worked. Finally found the E-Clip and O-ring repair thread here and thought I would give it a try.

For any of you with this same problem, please go out and do this. It was so cheap and easy that I feel stupid that I didn't do this long ago.

I stopped in at Home Depot on my way home from work. Purchased the 3/16" E-Clips and a box of # 78 (1/4" diameter) o-rings. Total out of pocket cost $3.03. (see attached receipt) Total time to insert the clips and then slide an o-ring on each front post was about three minutes.

It was so easy, I didn't think it had a chance, but when I latched the top down I noticed it took a bit more muscle to close the latches. Everything is much tighter. And the best part, NOT A SOUND! NOT A CREAK, NOT THE SLIGHTEST PEEP FROM THE ROOF PANEL! I tested it over curbs, speed bumps. Nothing.

I have only known this car to creak because it has been like that since the day I bought it. It is such a pleasure to drive without that annoying creaking roof.

Anyway.... For those of you with that same problem, do yourself a favor and get down to Home Depot or Lowes or someplace where you can get these few items and fix it now.

Best $3.03 I have EVER spent!



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BSE1956

Over curbs? Really?
I use the white lithium grease method. Once a year, lube a little and no creaks.
Happy to hear that you've subdued that horrible noise we're all familiar with....

designerRob

What does the E-clip do? I don't see it in the pics.

need-for-speed

Don't worry about "beaten to death"

I did the e clip thing myself but had not seen the o-ring mod.

Great info !! Gonna get me some o rings this weekend.

jdk541

You insert one each next to the little roller on the latch which is mounted on the roof pannel. I tried to take a photo but I couldn't get a good shot of it tonight without removing the whole top.

There are other threads out there on this topic by those who have discovered this before me and they have much better photos.

I just wanted to add my $0.02 and show the exact parts and cost in order to help others find the right parts and understand how cost effective this is.

Gearhead Jim

Starting some time around 2008, the front latch design was changed and those cars don't need/can't use the E-clips.

Our 2009 had the new latches, lots of noise. Grease, adjustments, new door strikes (!), etc. finally fixed it.

pcguy2u

Need to point out that on the 05 the creaking appeared most often when the temp was up above 80.

ohmy

hope it stands the test of time for you! This fix doesn't always work, and in many cases it will only give you temporary relief from the noise as it will eventually come back

Tarl

What year car is it? New?

Scooty Puff Sr.

I am so all over this! My 2008 creaks like mad and I've tried most suggestions on the forum but with no luck. I'm heading out to HD at lunch to see if this is the solution I've been looking for! Thank you for sharing.

Never-Enough

I'll have to try this. I've lued everything up & did the shrink tube fix, but that only worked for a day. Mine doesn't creak every bump like some of you, but it does it nonetheless.

jdk541

Me too. I can anticipate the cheap rubber o-rings wearing out over time and not creating that tight seal, but it should be easy enough to pop a new one one there.

jdk541

My car is a 2006.

Dif

Home Depot online page for the Orings
http://www.homedepot.com/buy/danco-7...l#.UFn0AlHq71k
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

These #78 O-Rings (10-Pack)
constructed from durable rubber to offer long-lasting performance.
The o-rings feature a black finish and have a 3/32 in. wall thickness.

• Rubber construction
• Black finish
• 7/16 in. OD x 1/4 in. ID x 3/32 in. wall thickness
• 10 pack
• MFG Brand Name : DANCO
• MFG Model # : 96715
• MFG Part # : 9D00096715

Gearhead Jim

For those who haven't found it, somewhere on this forum is a copy of the looong GM bulletin about fixing noisy tops.

If you go through the bulletin step-by-step, 99% of the problems will be solved. It takes a lot of time and is a real PITA, but the bulletin works. That's what we used to find and fix the five different problems that were making our 2009 transparent top (with the new latches!) stop squeaking/creaking/popping/rattling.

TJay74

Mine car does not have the rollers so no clips needed, but the o-rings might help with the creaking. I have to release the front latches and push up each day after work to get mine to stop creaking and it has been lubed several times already.

odessade

my 2006 was very creaky too..contacted the dealership about the handle-latch recall (read about it here somewhere) and they replaced mine and lubed the rubber.. no more creaking...been over a year

EVRose

The O-ring alone will probably take care of it without the clips. I put the O-rings on mine about 6 months ago and not a sound since.
A little better pic.

Thrash

The brilliance on the forum never stops, great DIY tip and a sound solution as well ...

studiovette

Arent the O rings installed in later tops? 08+? I had a little noise coming from my 08 clear roof I installed on my 12 GS and lubed both the top and contact spots and I have been squeak or creak free since. The issue I am having is with the tops off installed in the cargo area I am getting so much annoying rattling and squeaking. It might be my roof top holders which I swapped out with painted ones. Any suggestions?