C5Brian

I'm at my wits end with my creaking top. It's so bad I'm considering just selling the car because it's just not fun to drive with all the creaking.

I've researched the forum and tried all the tips, all to no avail. Until while trying to tighten the latches, I discovered that the latch on the drivers side will not tighten down properly due to the bolt hole that holds the bolt for the latch is stripped out. I have a feeling this is my issue. I'm not really excited about, and likely will not be, purchasing a new top or frame, so I'm looking for ideas on how to repair it in hopes that I can tighten the bolt enough to allow for proper tension on that latch.

The two options that I've considered are to either use an epoxy in the hole and on the bolt or to tap it out and use a helicoil.

Has anyone else experienced this issue? If so, how did you resolve the issue?

Any thoughts, opinions, advice?

Thanks, in advance!

1bdvet

bartsky

I have silenced quite a few of them with dielectric grease on all mounting points, and small rubber o-rings on the pins.

JEH03Vette

If it's stripped out you could try re-tapping and use larger screw.

2L8LUZ

E-Clips Fixed mine...and I had tried EVERY trick in the book

BigB72

I cant find any 1/4 o rings anywhere.

C5Brian

I appreciate all the replies, so far.

Unfortunately, I've tried all these and they have not corrected the issue. Again, I believe it's the stripped hole.

Also, this seems to be very specific bolt, so I don't think tapping it and using a larger bolt will work, either. That's why I was inquiring about filling it with epoxy or using a helicoil.

extrapilot

Best bet, get the kit for the bolt size that's in there..

car2fast4you

I have tried every fix that has ever been posted on this forum. Nothing solved the creaking issue completely. As of now, the top only creaks the first mile or so after if drive off. It settles down after that.

The single worst designed feature that I've ever had on a car.

extrapilot

I use o-rings off GM fuel injectors.

HBsurfer

Bought mine at Home Depot. They have them at Lowe's too.

C5Brian

I agree! My C5 didn't do this, though my C4 did. I just can't understand how they went backwards with this feature. I love the car, but this creaking makes the car feel cheap and just not fun to drive. I really hope I can find a remedy, but am currently struggling.

C5Brian

Have you used these before? I feel like this is my best option, but wanted to get some opinions before I went tapping out my frame.

Jack Forbes

Lowes

extrapilot

Yes I have. I would have to look at the top and see what type of difficulty you may have with this procedure. Best if the hole that needs repairing is not blind, meaning you can see daylight through the hole. This makes it easier of a procedure, as you can drill and tap right through cleanly. You won't have to use special blind hole bottoming taps, another words.
The best advise I can give you, if you tackle the job is drilling and taping the hole as straight as possible. Or bring it to someone that has experience with thread repairing. Once the insert is installed, it will be stronger that original.

Vet With A Vette

Good luck. I did the steps in the video that was posted as well as the o-ring mod. It helped slightly, but still creaks. I guess it matches the rest of the panel rattles and squeaks of the cheap interior.

C5Brian

Good thought! I didn't even consider a machine shop or someplace similar. That may be my best bet.

Sounds like you don't think I should attempt the epoxy, but just go straight to the helicoil? May go ahead and order the kit, tomorrow. This has got to stop!

extrapilot

No, don't try epoxy. There's a lot of load on the bolt when the lever is in the closed position. Take it to a machinist, best bet, they will tell you what they can do to repair it.
Good Luck

96GS#007

Two things....
- I'd helicoil the hole to retain the original bolt. Mixing and matching hardware will just add to the frustration, not to mention it looks like a ghetto fix.
- Although the creaks and groans are typically from the front, tightening the center latch will often solve most of them. To tighten the center latch, you need to loosen the set-screw and then tighten the center catch. Although it's trial and error, it often only takes one turn to do the trick.

C5Brian

Bought a kit from Autozone, yesterday. While it's not a helicoil brand, it appears to be the same thing. I don't think that will matter, do you? I'd like to get this fixed, tomorrow, but no place around me carries the helicoil brand. I could get it from Amazon, but it will take a week.

Hoping this fixes the issue! Thanks for all the replies!