I still have a lot of noise from the coupe top. Replaced for delamination twice. Still crackles and pops!

 

Lots of posts on this same subject, welcome to what I think I'll start dubbing the "Rice Krispy Club".

 

 

I am sorry to hear you guys are having this issue. I feel very fortunate that I have had zero issues with my '05. The top is tight and doesn't make a sound.

 

i started to notice it. i thought it was coming from the rear by the seatbelt area but it turned out it's coming from the visor area, driver side. a pop indeed. is there a remedy to this? i just blast my stereo. it doesn't do it often just unpredictable.

 

Have there been any reports at all of the new SMC roofs popping?

My original roof just started popping after a year and a half. I did the .010" feeler gauge check, the bond seems solid all the way around.... no separation detected. I'd rather not waste my time with the foam fix.

If the new SMC tops are 100% quiet and reliable, the goal then would be to see how fast I can get my hands on a new SMC top. I guess the only way to get one for free from Chevy would be to somehow force my existing top to fully delaminate... not sure how to do that.

Actually, seems that many that have had the foam fix have had their tops fail shortly there after... perhaps the foam "fix" is the best way to get the top to delaminate asap.

Or, I suppose I could bite the bullet and just buy a new SMC painted top and end the headache immediately... what are these going for brand new?

 

Mine IS the SMC roof.

 

Oh boy.

Well, then the only true fix would probably be to take a delaminated top, adhere the roof panel to the roof frame with flexible silicon sealer, then BOLT the panel to the frame. With only flexible sealer between the panel and frame, there should be no popping noises.... and the bolts will ensure that the top panel never separates from the frame.

I wonder if any transparent tops have made popping sounds. If not, another option is to just get a transparent top and paint it.

 

The SMC roof shouldn't delaminate. In my case I'm fairly certain it's the pin that sticks inside the rubber molding at the back of the car that is the cause. There are threads on the forum that explain a DIY fix which involves putting heatshrink tubing around the pin to make it tighter. Another dealer fix is to use a silicone lubricant but I've read that this doesn't hold up well over time. I will say this, my roof had only been taken off once since brand new and for grins I took it off two weeks ago and put it back on and the noise hasn't been heard since. It also hasn't been as warm here lately though so we shall see toward the end of the week when temps begin to heat up here.

 

Thanks for the info. My top had not been off at all during the winter, and just a few weeks ago it started popping. It actually started popping on the first hot sunny day which led me to assume the noise was related to the possible beginnings of delamination. I've had the top off continuously the last two weeks now though, will see how it is once reinstalled. All the pins seem to fit tight, but... will check it out. Thanks.

What a joy it is to drive this car with the top off. But, I did spend some time yesteday cleaning sap and dust off the interior. Some Murphy's Oil soap / water and a soft sponge took the sap right off the leather. Wiped down the seats, dash etc, made everything look like new.... no sticky or greasy residue or odor, and doesn't dry out the leather. Got the tip from someone who uses it to clean horse saddles.

Looking to make a DIY soft interior cover... basically just a piece of plastic sheeting or material that can be quickly and easily clipped or bungeed over the roof opening to keep sap / debri out of the car when parked... and would be way easier and more convenient than having to put the actual roof top on every time the car is parked.

 

Mine is SMC also. Tried heat shrink, no help but it is still on there. Tried dielectric grease and lithium grease, no help. Adjusted front and rear fastners, still sounds like old Mustang convertible. Back to dealer x4, just waste my time. This noise very much effects the perception of the quality of the car.

 

But I am wondering if the popping is indeed the fasteners OR the top itself. Sometimes I think I hear my top popping even when it is in the trunk... which would mean it is NOT the fasteners. For the heck of it, maybe try "twisting" your top when off the car (I'll try it too when I get a chance).... rest one end of the top on a carpeted floor, then twist back and forth... if you hear any popping at that point, then all the grease, shrink tubing etc in the world will not help.

 

I had some body work done on my '05 C6 coupe (don't ask) and when I got it back from the shop, the top popped and snapped like crazy overhead every time the car flexed a little. I had had the roof foam job done 10 mo ago and no delamination was to be found. I couldnt figure out how front bumper-cover work would cause popping in the top. Turned out that shop dust had gotten into the gap between the top seal and body. ( Had a similar problem with the removable hard top on my '03 T-bird and suddenly remembered how it was sooo easy to fix.) Clean the seals and where they touch well and then lightly but completely coat the seals with silicone weather-strip lubricant/protectant (a very thick translucent silicone lubricant designed for the job- I got mine from Ford) or any other similar material (even Armorall or Back-to-black should work) Wipe well to remove nearly all of it and you're done. My top is quieter now even when compared to new. Dead quiet.
I think what causes the noise is the weather strip starts sticking a bit to the body due to contamination or drying with age. When the movement of the body relative to the top overwhelms the adhesion (stickiness) of the weather strip you get a sudden release that causes the pop that is further magnified by the soundboard effect of the top. Rather like the rude noise you get sliding on a cheap vinyl chair seat. Lubricating the gasket lightly allows smooth sliding of the parts under load so no pop. Try It, I think you will be pleased how well and completely it works!