T-top rattling badly while driving
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 165
From: Nashville TN
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
T-top rattling badly while driving
The T-Top on my 1985 C4 is rattling pretty badly while driving. Do the bolts just need to be tightened? Or should I put something on it (like weatherstripping) to cushion between them? Haven't even had the thing off the car yet, just curious if anyone has suggestions.
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
Start with the tightening of the bolts.
But first, take your top off, clean/wipe off the rubber on the car and the targa-top using silicone cleaner/lube (Armor All wipes) and then put together and tighten to specs.
While you are at it, put a coating on all your weather stripping around the doors. You will be surprised at how much quieter your car becomes.
But first, take your top off, clean/wipe off the rubber on the car and the targa-top using silicone cleaner/lube (Armor All wipes) and then put together and tighten to specs.
While you are at it, put a coating on all your weather stripping around the doors. You will be surprised at how much quieter your car becomes.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 165
From: Nashville TN
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
Start with the tightening of the bolts.
But first, take your top off, clean/wipe off the rubber on the car and the targa-top using silicone cleaner/lube (Armor All wipes) and then put together and tighten to specs.
While you are at it, put a coating on all your weather stripping around the doors. You will be surprised at how much quieter your car becomes.
But first, take your top off, clean/wipe off the rubber on the car and the targa-top using silicone cleaner/lube (Armor All wipes) and then put together and tighten to specs.
While you are at it, put a coating on all your weather stripping around the doors. You will be surprised at how much quieter your car becomes.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
You need to determine why it's rattling. It is easy enough to tighten the bolts (back ones first). Your roof panel may be coming un-bonded from the frame! This usually starts above the windshield. Is this an acrylic roof or a solid roof? There are quite a few C4 owners here who are members of the FRC. Trust me, you don't want to join that club!
If that's your problem, it's fixable.
(FRC - Flying Roof Club)
If that's your problem, it's fixable.
(FRC - Flying Roof Club)
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 165
From: Nashville TN
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
You need to determine why it's rattling. It is easy enough to tighten the bolts (back ones first). Your roof panel may be coming un-bonded from the frame! This usually starts above the windshield. Is this an acrylic roof or a solid roof? There are quite a few C4 owners here who are members of the FRC. Trust me, you don't want to join that club!
If that's your problem, it's fixable.
(FRC - Flying Roof Club)
If that's your problem, it's fixable.
(FRC - Flying Roof Club)
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Take the top off and look at the roof hardware sockets at the rear (on the halo above your head). Sometimes they get loose and could cause your problem.
Last edited by Cliff Harris; Mar 13, 2017 at 01:36 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 332
Likes: 74
From: MUSKOGEE COUNTY OKLAHOMA
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 165
From: Nashville TN
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
I found a video on YouTube, where a guy had made some hand tighten bolts with a star piece on them. I might try that because that looks really convenient.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 165
From: Nashville TN
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
Just an update-added weatherstripping to the top of the windshield and tightened the bolts down. No more rattle! Hope this can help someone else in the future.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 239
From: Venice Cali.
Make sure you start all the bolts a little bit and then screw the back all the way , then the front, the front are ment to slide back whereas if you tighten the front first the rear ones would not be able to go back, just a reminder.
Good luck
Good luck