How to fix rattling convertible hardware?
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How to fix rattling convertible hardware?
I've noticed when my top is down, I have no rattles or noise coming from my deck lid, but when the top is up it rattles like crazy. I've take all the slack out of the rods with the adjustment nuts, but they still rattle.
Were there some kind of rubber or plastic inserts that fit into the ends of the rods to cut down on the rattling? I haven't noticed anything in the AIM, or seen anything in the 'vette parts catalogs. Another thing I'm thinking of trying is to glue little blocks of foam to the deck lid to restict the rods from bouncing. Anyone tried anything like this?
Were there some kind of rubber or plastic inserts that fit into the ends of the rods to cut down on the rattling? I haven't noticed anything in the AIM, or seen anything in the 'vette parts catalogs. Another thing I'm thinking of trying is to glue little blocks of foam to the deck lid to restict the rods from bouncing. Anyone tried anything like this?
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Re: How to fix rattling convertible hardware? (Smokehouse69)
I haven't had this problem but your foam block ideas will probably fix it. Another solution would be to slide a piece of 1/8" rubber tubing over the rods.
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Re: How to fix rattling convertible hardware? (flynhi)
I so rarely have my roof up as it takes most of the enjoyment out of driving my vette, I have put some weatherstriping on the studs that clam into the windshield - works for awhile but is still noisey.
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Re: How to fix rattling convertible hardware? (gdh)
I tried several different tricks this afternoon, I had some spiral plastic wire loom (you know the stuff that looks like a flattened spring,) that was just the right size to fit around the metal rods where they pass through the retainers on the lid. I then slipped some heat shrink tubing on the ends that go through latching levers. It got rid of 95% of my rattling, I also discovered why I had so much trouble getting the passenger side rear of the top to release from the deck. Someone had put the linkage on backwards so it didn't move enough to open the latch on that side. I fixed that and now I can get the top up and down without much effort.
I also used the opportunity to lube up all the linkage, that helped a great deal in smoothing out the action.
Now if I could get rid of some of the air leaks with the top up, driving on the highway would be very pleasant. That's going to require pulling the door panels and adjusting the windows, that's going to have to wait for some cold rainy weekend.
I also used the opportunity to lube up all the linkage, that helped a great deal in smoothing out the action.
Now if I could get rid of some of the air leaks with the top up, driving on the highway would be very pleasant. That's going to require pulling the door panels and adjusting the windows, that's going to have to wait for some cold rainy weekend.
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Re: How to fix rattling convertible hardware? (flynhi)
Will, ny weather stripping looks to be in great shape, still soft and not torn, but there are significant air leaks with the windows rolled up. How do you adjust the weatherstripping down to the "fulldown" position? Another big problem I have is the where the door window frame portion of the top, meets the top of the fenders just behind the doors. There seems to be a piece of weather stripping missing there because there is a fairly large opening that leaks air and water. I haven't looked in the AIM or any of the catalogs, but I suspect that there is something missing.
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Re: How to fix rattling convertible hardware? (Smokehouse69)
My soft top is out of the car sitting in the corner of my garage. I never use it during the summer and In the winter when I drive my car I have the hardtop on it. Sounds like you are well on your way to a solution though.
John
John
