Convertible top "beating"
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: SF CA
Convertible top "beating"
My 2009 C6 convertible top "beats" a bit from the rear around 70mph and above. A low beat, almost like the flapping of a sail or flag.
Is this normal?
Seems to have a lot to do with side winds. Sometimes it won't beat at all at those speeds, but typically it does, and I look around and the bushes and trees are swaying from some sort of wind. (Living in SF we get a lot of wind from time to time)
It's fine the way it is -- I've had MUCH worse with other cars.
But just wondering if there isn't supposed to be any beating at all. If that's the case, I need to get my top fixed/adjusted.
Thanks!
Fred
Is this normal?
Seems to have a lot to do with side winds. Sometimes it won't beat at all at those speeds, but typically it does, and I look around and the bushes and trees are swaying from some sort of wind. (Living in SF we get a lot of wind from time to time)
It's fine the way it is -- I've had MUCH worse with other cars.
But just wondering if there isn't supposed to be any beating at all. If that's the case, I need to get my top fixed/adjusted.
Thanks!
Fred
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 53
From: Tucson Arizona
Yes it is normal.
I here a similar noise on the freeway with my 2007 convert when there is a strong cross wind. It is barely audible but can hear it.
Never had that in a similar situation with my C5 convert so must have to do with the cars aerodynamic differences.
I here a similar noise on the freeway with my 2007 convert when there is a strong cross wind. It is barely audible but can hear it.
Never had that in a similar situation with my C5 convert so must have to do with the cars aerodynamic differences.
Last edited by RJRSW; Jul 1, 2011 at 12:23 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 819
Likes: 5
From: Indianapolis IN
I'm on my second vert, neither made such a noise. My '09 was dead silent, my '11 GS has lots of road noise & wind noise. I only have it up in the rain so it hasn't bugged me enough to fix.
Your flapping/beating noise sounds like loose material that should be secured. Hope it's fast, easy fix
Your flapping/beating noise sounds like loose material that should be secured. Hope it's fast, easy fix
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: SF CA
Makes sense that it is a bit "loose" because I have to hold the window up a tad when raising or lowering the top, so the toneau cover doesn't hit.
Is "tightening the convertible top" something that is actually done? There is a good factory dealer not too far from here that does a lot of vette work. Think they would be able to actually fix this problem? Or is it one of those "well, leave it here and we'll look at it, for $150/hour" sort of things...?
Is "tightening the convertible top" something that is actually done? There is a good factory dealer not too far from here that does a lot of vette work. Think they would be able to actually fix this problem? Or is it one of those "well, leave it here and we'll look at it, for $150/hour" sort of things...?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,610
Likes: 12
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 53
From: Tucson Arizona
My top is very tight like a drum and no areas are loose at all. Maybe I hear it because of it being tight like a actual drum.
I think that I notice it most when I'm in high speed freeway traffic around other vehicles so might have something to do with buffeting wind coming off the other vehicle and hitting the top.
I think that I notice it most when I'm in high speed freeway traffic around other vehicles so might have something to do with buffeting wind coming off the other vehicle and hitting the top.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,507
Likes: 722
From: Sausalito CA
05...ditto I have not noticed this noise/ beating sound.
I guess you need to give your top a look over for alignments, clips, sewing threads etc. to see if something is wrong.
Maybe it is normal (?) I just never noticed a noise.
I guess you need to give your top a look over for alignments, clips, sewing threads etc. to see if something is wrong.
Maybe it is normal (?) I just never noticed a noise.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 53
From: Tucson Arizona
If the radio is at normal listening level I do not really hear it but if the radio is turned down low I can detect it then. It really is not a problem and like I said you really have to be listening for it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: SF CA
Mine is fairly subtle as well. But being a "musician" I tend to hear things...like sublte beating tops.
I'm almost thinking of going to the dealer and asking their top guy to take a test drive with me. Just because it costs nothing to think these things.
I'm almost thinking of going to the dealer and asking their top guy to take a test drive with me. Just because it costs nothing to think these things.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,327
Likes: 166
From: Summerton SC
Tech Contributor
Take it to your dealer, sounds like something needs to be tightened, or a bit of upholstery work maybe. My '09 is at the dealer now getting the vert liner fixed (it had pulled away from the frame on the upper left, above the drivers seat by about 1.5") ...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: SF CA
Thanks for the info...I'm starting to think dealer is the answer.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,254
Likes: 5
From: Anaheim Hills, Ca
The fabric can be tightened up but my experience with a prior C6 convertible will tell you that no dealership knew how to do it. I ended up taking mine to a custom upholstery shop that stretched it front to back. If done too much, the sides may wrinkle. To do the sides is a lot of work.
