Creaking Top
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside Ca/ Tampa FL
Ive tried a lot of the remedies. They help for a little bit but the creeking sound always comes back. I think living on an inclined driveway makes it that much worse for me. Ive honestly just learned to deal with the noise. Jay
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 106
My trim had a cut on top I filled with black silicone, but it's not touching the top. Probably a careless install at the factory or something.
Do yo have pics of that? So you basically installed the top like Z06s? I like that 
. But besides pics, more specifics like bolt length and thread size. By the way, my pins are solid, but one front has 1 shim washer and the other 2. That's weird, no? And did you mean using those shims, or different ones? Would like to see pics to know what you're talking about. Don't want to remove the freaking roof again until I'm ready to do what you did. I'm trying to sell the car, so will wait to see what happens. Thanks for the help 
.
. But besides pics, more specifics like bolt length and thread size. By the way, my pins are solid, but one front has 1 shim washer and the other 2. That's weird, no? And did you mean using those shims, or different ones? Would like to see pics to know what you're talking about. Don't want to remove the freaking roof again until I'm ready to do what you did. I'm trying to sell the car, so will wait to see what happens. Thanks for the help .
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,726
Likes: 368
From: Montoursville Pa
My trim had a cut on top I filled with black silicone, but it's not touching the top. Probably a careless install at the factory or something.
Do yo have pics of that? So you basically installed the top like Z06s? I like that. But besides pics, more specifics like bolt length and thread size. By the way, my pins are solid, but one front has 1 shim washer and the other 2. That's weird, no? And did you mean using those shims, or different ones? Would like to see pics to know what you're talking about. Don't want to remove the freaking roof again until I'm ready to do what you did. I'm trying to sell the car, so will wait to see what happens. Thanks for the help .
Do yo have pics of that? So you basically installed the top like Z06s? I like that
. But besides pics, more specifics like bolt length and thread size. By the way, my pins are solid, but one front has 1 shim washer and the other 2. That's weird, no? And did you mean using those shims, or different ones? Would like to see pics to know what you're talking about. Don't want to remove the freaking roof again until I'm ready to do what you did. I'm trying to sell the car, so will wait to see what happens. Thanks for the help .to get the right thread size i believe i used 1 1/4 inch length
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Your 2008 may have the c-clip issue reported lots of other places. My 2012 top was horrible until I started using Super Lube on all the front latch parts. See the link below for my thread on this. It has solved a real problem on my Vette for several months now. Hopefully it will help you the same way.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...post1585933028
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 180
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Something I haven't seen here as a potential fix has been the C7 roof pin bushings.
They are extra thick and conical.
I have swapped to these on my car and a number of friends. Of course all roof pins need to be checked for tightness (18lb/ft) and seals should be lubricated annually.
Depending on the condition of the latches some people can swap these on as is, others will need to trim them down slightly, as they are super thick.
Remove the factory o-ring from the C6 post and slide this in place.
My roof only creaks on hard bumps or with major chassis twist. Used to it would creak driving low speed over any imperfection. It's not the end all solution for everybody. But will fix a lot of the creak complaints.
Should cost 6-7 bucks at your local dealer.
They are extra thick and conical.
I have swapped to these on my car and a number of friends. Of course all roof pins need to be checked for tightness (18lb/ft) and seals should be lubricated annually.
Depending on the condition of the latches some people can swap these on as is, others will need to trim them down slightly, as they are super thick.
Remove the factory o-ring from the C6 post and slide this in place.
My roof only creaks on hard bumps or with major chassis twist. Used to it would creak driving low speed over any imperfection. It's not the end all solution for everybody. But will fix a lot of the creak complaints.
Should cost 6-7 bucks at your local dealer.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 20
From: Santa Fe TX
Heatshrink tubing on the front and rear pins is the answer to the problem. Just slip it on and heat it until it shrinks around the metal pins, two on the front, two on the back. use the C-clip for extra insurance, but the heat shrink does the trick. I went through all the rest of the fixes on my new to me 2008 vette. Wish I had done the heat shrink first.
Edit: New orings are needed also. For clarity, here is a listing of the three items needed:
#31 O-Rings (10-Pack)
Model # 96745
Store SKU # 584164
3/8 in. Black Polyolefin Heat Shrink Tubing (3-Pack)
Model # HST-375B
Store SKU # 154106
3/16 in. Plain E-Clip (2-Pieces)
Model # 43638
Store SKU # 568622
Total cost was $5.14 at my local Home Depot.
Edit: New orings are needed also. For clarity, here is a listing of the three items needed:
#31 O-Rings (10-Pack)
Model # 96745
Store SKU # 584164
3/8 in. Black Polyolefin Heat Shrink Tubing (3-Pack)
Model # HST-375B
Store SKU # 154106
3/16 in. Plain E-Clip (2-Pieces)
Model # 43638
Store SKU # 568622
Total cost was $5.14 at my local Home Depot.
Last edited by jedblanks; Apr 23, 2014 at 04:51 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16,670
Likes: 7,738
From: NJ
i left nothing to chance.. Pulled transparent top due to "creak and pop" noticed the pins were only hand tight, fixed and lubed.. while i was there i tightened the "J" hook at the rear clamp up two turns (due to it not having "alot" of tension on it) and i also lubed the rear pins, weatherstrips and everything i could lol... Low and behold, fixed!! Thank GOD
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 7
From: Lahaina Hi
Bottom line is the handles at the front are squeeking and all you can do is unscrew them and lube the crap out of them with a high temp grease .The top gets hot and the grease melts out of the handles and causes the creaking all over again.grease usually good for a few mths.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Bottom line is the handles at the front are squeeking and all you can do is unscrew them and lube the crap out of them with a high temp grease .The top gets hot and the grease melts out of the handles and causes the creaking all over again.grease usually good for a few mths.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 207
Likes: 47
From: Southern Cali
when you get into the car, try simply unlatching and latching the top clamps. I've discovered that it creaks more when I leave it out in the hot sun. Usually it's quiet right after I do that. My guess is that the different plastics in the top expand causing the creaks. I think the unlatching helps relieve some of the pressure.