C3 Puzzler!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 373
Likes: 6
From: Dover Delaware
C3 Puzzler!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good morning C3 Folks,
Just a thought I'd like to share my concern with the C3 experts....
I've had my 78SA for about 4 1/2 yrs and just do not understand why it creaks like an old rocking chair with the T-tops installed and not when the are out???? I've tried several spray lubes over the years and the results are the same.....The T-top gaskets are virtually brand new within the last 2yrs....
Any and all help, comments etc are warmly appreciated...
Cordially,
Mike aka mk's78
Just a thought I'd like to share my concern with the C3 experts....
I've had my 78SA for about 4 1/2 yrs and just do not understand why it creaks like an old rocking chair with the T-tops installed and not when the are out???? I've tried several spray lubes over the years and the results are the same.....The T-top gaskets are virtually brand new within the last 2yrs....
Any and all help, comments etc are warmly appreciated...
Cordially,
Mike aka mk's78
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
If you think it's the seals squeaking, try putting a "dry" protectant on them (instead of the oily stuff). Meguiar's protectant for plastics or Nu-Vinyl will seal them and should prevent them 'walking around' when the body flexes.
If you want to try this, make sure you get all the oily 'junk' off the weatherstripping before you wipe them down with a polymer protectant.
If you want to try this, make sure you get all the oily 'junk' off the weatherstripping before you wipe them down with a polymer protectant.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 373
Likes: 6
From: Dover Delaware
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 2
From: long beach California
Sounds like the shims under your t top pins. If the bolts get loose the shims can rattle when the car gets moving. If you unbolt your plastic t-top head liner an check for loose shims.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 169
Likes: 1
From: East Haddam CT
If you think it's the seals squeaking, try putting a "dry" protectorant on them (instead of the oily stuff). Meguiar's protectorant for plastics or Nu-Vinyl will seal them and should prevent them 'walking around' when the body flexes.
If you want to try this, make sure you get all the oily 'junk' off the weatherstripping before you wipe them down with a polymer protectorant.
If you want to try this, make sure you get all the oily 'junk' off the weatherstripping before you wipe them down with a polymer protectorant.
All the reply's so far are good but I think 7T1vette nailed it. His recommendation should solve your problem.
Squeaking roof panels or sun roofs are not exclusive to old C3 Corvettes. Brand new and far more rigid cars with sun roofs often have the same issue. Quiet motoring
RB
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
make sure the bushings are good in the rear plates
Make sure you have the insulator bushings in the lock tongue plates
Make sure the rod insulator in the back of the top is there... You can see it below, it's the white bullet looking thing.
Maybe put a tiny bit of lubricant on these items...
And make sure the header insulator is snapped in place and not broken. If the tabs are broke on the header insulators they will move in the header and squeak.
Make sure you have the insulator bushings in the lock tongue plates
Make sure the rod insulator in the back of the top is there... You can see it below, it's the white bullet looking thing.
Maybe put a tiny bit of lubricant on these items...
And make sure the header insulator is snapped in place and not broken. If the tabs are broke on the header insulators they will move in the header and squeak.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 109
From: B'ham Alabama
Also,..make sure the top LATCHES are adjusted so the fit is good and tight. I had a 76 that squeeked and creeked something terrible. I noticed that the fit was not really snig. So I adjusted the latches for a tighter fit and it stopped about 90% of the creaking.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,380
Likes: 415
From: N J
They liked to squeak on my 77 also. Then I read my owners manual.... "If the roof panels tend to squeak, place a small amount of grease or petroleum jelly on the top side of the center lock tangs."
Prior to that, mine would squeak for 15 minutes every time I put them back on the car, then they would find a sweet spot and the squeaking would end.
Prior to that, mine would squeak for 15 minutes every time I put them back on the car, then they would find a sweet spot and the squeaking would end.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 373
Likes: 6
From: Dover Delaware
Hello John65
They liked to squeak on my 77 also. Then I read my owners manual.... "If the roof panels tend to squeak, place a small amount of grease or petroleum jelly on the top side of the center lock tangs."
Prior to that, mine would squeak for 15 minutes every time I put them back on the car, then they would find a sweet spot and the squeaking would end.
Prior to that, mine would squeak for 15 minutes every time I put them back on the car, then they would find a sweet spot and the squeaking would end.
Thanks for your help....
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 314
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
You guys are kidding, right? My 44 year old '69 has more squeaks and rattles than I can count. Thankfully the engine shakes so much and the side exhaust is so loud and the black interior gets so hot and sweaty and the damn radio no longer works because the damn oil pressure gauge pissed all over it and the original carpet smells and the original seat jute is spreading yellow powder all over the place and...where was I going with this? Get real...forget about the squeaks or go buy a new car.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 406
Likes: 1
From: Maroochydore QLD
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 2
From: long beach California
You guys are kidding, right? My 44 year old '69 has more squeaks and rattles than I can count. Thankfully the engine shakes so much and the side exhaust is so loud and the black interior gets so hot and sweaty and the damn radio no longer works because the damn oil pressure gauge pissed all over it and the original carpet smells and the original seat jute is spreading yellow powder all over the place and...where was I going with this? Get real...forget about the squeaks or go buy a new car.
your car has got character
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,380
Likes: 415
From: N J