Tx Ray-C5

I just got my car back from the dealer body shop with everything repaired after having had a rear end collision.

BUT..... as I'm driving down the road and hit any rough spots or god forbid an expansion joint on the highway. The roof panel now rattles ever so lightly when driving on the highway. When I hit the expasion loints on the highway the top RATLLES like its about to come off, WTF !!!

Can I fix this or do I just take it back to the body shop ??

rc69wc

try to adjust the wind shield mounts,where the latches clamp down
i never realized that they were adjustable
when you take the top off the bolts are right behind the molding on the car

Vetteman Jack

The top can be adjusted to fit tighter to the car. Here is something that was posted on the forum a while back:

Here are the Shop Manual Adjustments:

Corvette Targa Top Adjustment

Roof Lift Off Panel Adjustment

1. Perform one or more of the following adjustment procedures to properly align the roof lift off panel.
2. To adjust the front striker for up/down roof alignment perform the following steps:
• Remove the windshield upper garnish molding. Refer to Windshield Upper Garnish Molding Replacement in the Interior Trim.
1. For major up/down roof adjustment, loosen the striker bolts and reposition the latch striker up or down.
2. For minor up or down roof adjustment loosen the striker outboard bolt and slightly loosen the inboard bolt, pivot the striker on the inboard bolt in 2 mm (0.08 in) increments up or down. Notice – Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
3. Tighten the striker bolts. Tighten the roof latch handle striker bolts to 10 N*m (89 lb in).
4. When the striker is properly adjusted, the handle will snap closed.
5. Install the windshield upper garnish molding. Refer to Windshield Upper Garnish Molding Replacement in Interior Trim.

3. To adjust the front latch handle forward or rearward perform the following steps:
• Loosen the latch handle bolts.
• Position the latch handle forward or rearward. Maintain a minimum of 2 mm (0.08 in) clearance between latch handle and the latch striker to avoid squeaks and rattles.
• Assure the latch handle base is parallel to the striker to provide clearance to the sunshade mirror door.
• Tighten the latch handle bolts. Tighten the roof latch handle bolts to 13 N*m (10 lb ft).

4. For major rear latch adjustment, adjust the rear latch striker performance the following steps:
• Remove the roof lift off panel.
• Remove the roof bow center interior trim panel. Refer to Trim Panel Replacement – Rear Roof Bow in Interior Trim.
• Loosen the rear latch striker attaching bolts.
• Adjust the position of the latch striker forward or rearward for major adjustment.
• Tighten the striker attaching bolts. Tighten the roof rear striker bolts to 10 N*m (89 lb in).
• Install the roof lift off panel.

5. For minor rear latch adjustment, adjust the latch handle hook one turn at a time to achieve moderate pressure to the latch as follows:
• Remove the roof lift off panel.
• Loosen the set screw locking the latch hook.
• Turn the hook in to tighten or out to loosen.
• Tighten the set screw.
• Install the roof panel.

6. To adjust the rear locator, perform the following steps:
• With the roof installed on the vehicle, loosen the locator mounting bolts.
• Reposition the locator.
• Tighten the mounting bolts. Tighten the roof rear locator to locator bracket bolts to 10 N*m (89 lb in).


Obviously if you are not sure you can do the adjustment, best to leave it to the body shop. Good luck.

Tx Ray-C5

thanks for the posts guys, but I washed the car yeasterday and found some paint cracks in the roof at the latch locations. I think this is why it won't stay locked... and I also noticed quite a few other things that didn't get fixed and or repainted !

Looks like she's going back to the body shop tomorrow !

bucwheat

Don't except it until you are completely satisfied,the car was right before it was hit wasn't it?

JCMVette

Go over the car several times before you accept the car.

Tx Ray-C5

I took possesion of my car last Friday. It rained Friday and Saturday here so I washed it Sunday and found a bunch of items that they didn't fix !!

I found cracks in the paint on both rear fenders, both doors and on the roof panel above the latch locations !

I've already gone over the car very carefully this past Sunday and I made a list of everything I found.

z28flash

Good luck with everything....hope they fix the issues without much fuss!

bigbob707

Are there any videos available for these roof panel adjustments?

harrydunn

I had a roof panel rattle and I just stuck a folded business card in the latch to tighten it up. Worked like a charm, is hidden from view behind the visor and takes 10 seconds. Just a thought.

--Mark

TorchRedRocket

Sorry to hear about your bad luck. I hope the body shop gets everything worked out for you!

hornet7

I received a replace top and followed your write up and now its perfect. execllent post.