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I have seen many threads where folks are buying and selling clear and painted tops. My clear top is perfectly sealed against wind noise and water. It does tend to creak a bit, but, I can apply some Super Lube and that noise goes away for a couple of months. I would like to buy a painted top to have as an option. Will a painted top creak less than the glass top? Do I need to worry about a used top not properly sealing on my car?
We've had only the transparent tops on our 2001/2006/2009, so i can't give a direct comparison. But overall, I get the feeling the painted tops tend to rattle and creak maybe a little less than the transparent ones.
Of course, be sure you don't get one that is delamininating per the recall.
Finally, most tops seem to interchange reasonably well from one car to another. But no guarantees, adjustments may be required.
If you get a copy of the GM bulletin on top noise and follow it step-by-step, you (or the dealer $$$) should be able to eliminate the noise. Our 2009 had four different problems that were making top noise, but the dealer kept after it (warranty) and it's been totally silent for over 9 months/11k miles.
Hint-
mrtoner explains an e-clip fix for the front latches that usually works about as well as the new design latches, but saves big money. Try the Search feature.
Heres another spin on things. I have both tops as well and originally had some creaks out of each one. I installed a 3/8 tunnel plate and the creaks went away. My clear top stays on and have no more creaks
Heres another spin on things. I have both tops as well and originally had some creaks out of each one. I installed a 3/8 tunnel plate and the creaks went away. My clear top stays on and have no more creaks
Please share more. I would like to know what you did. Thanks!
Please share more. I would like to know what you did. Thanks!
With this issue in mind all I did was the tunnel brace. This was the first of serious mods. As time went on I had no problems. I have since then modded the car pretty heavily with solid mounts front and rear, serious engine mods ect.. Now all bets are off, the chasis creak is now the least of my concerns. I can say though after driving it just last night for extended periods, I did not notice that interior creaking sound even with the clear top on. I also had a weird creak that would come from the hatch if I took a steap driveway. That went away also when I put the TP in.
I have both tops; the solid one keeps the inside 15 to 20 degrees cooler than the transparent one sitting in the sun on a 95 degree day. I just checked both tops, it does not take long for the transparent top to reach 140 degrees inside temp.
I had trouble with top noise until I tighten the four pins with a deep socket. Most pins I got a 1/3 of a turn to over a full turn. The car has not made a noise since with either top and I'm talking over bumps like railroad tracks without slowing down much! Oh, and I tried all the other stuff first but the noise would come back after a while but not since I tighten the pins.
EDIT: The solid top makes the cabin quieter due to the extra insulation and firmness I guess but the solid roof does keep out a little more of the surrounding outside noise.
Last edited by C7/Z06 Man; Jun 13, 2011 at 12:20 AM.