20 cent Targa Top creaking fix
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 20
Likes: 7
From: Edmonton Alberta
20 cent Targa Top creaking fix
I solved my Targa top creak with 20 cents of flat washers.
I recently purchased a 2005 Z51 that has a ProCharger running 10 lbs boost, a fully built engine for boost with ported LS3 heads. The targa top has a lot of creaking noise. I searched for solutions on the forum. Solutions ranged from thicker o-rings on the front pins (only works for some people) to a few guys that the dealerships covered the trim & weather stripping along the top of the windshield in lubricants or grease. That would be gross, especially with the top off.
Thicker o-rings did not work on my car, including a second ring on the pins that some guys have on here found works. My creaking is coming from the targa rubbing on the interior trim along the top of the windshield. I removed the latches at the top of the windshield and on each side I added flat washers between the bracket and the top of the windshield (one per bracket bolt). It completely solved the problem by creating a slight gap between the trim and the targa top. It still fits right and is fully sealed. I did keep the latch height exactly the same as they were set before I took them off, which was as far down as they will go.
I recently purchased a 2005 Z51 that has a ProCharger running 10 lbs boost, a fully built engine for boost with ported LS3 heads. The targa top has a lot of creaking noise. I searched for solutions on the forum. Solutions ranged from thicker o-rings on the front pins (only works for some people) to a few guys that the dealerships covered the trim & weather stripping along the top of the windshield in lubricants or grease. That would be gross, especially with the top off.
Thicker o-rings did not work on my car, including a second ring on the pins that some guys have on here found works. My creaking is coming from the targa rubbing on the interior trim along the top of the windshield. I removed the latches at the top of the windshield and on each side I added flat washers between the bracket and the top of the windshield (one per bracket bolt). It completely solved the problem by creating a slight gap between the trim and the targa top. It still fits right and is fully sealed. I did keep the latch height exactly the same as they were set before I took them off, which was as far down as they will go.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
I uses some dioelectric grease on the rubber seal, one time 9 years ago and still quiet. I did the "O" ring thing too.
The washer thing might harm the seal over time, if I understand correctly.
Guess there is always more than one way to skin a cat.
The washer thing might harm the seal over time, if I understand correctly.
Guess there is always more than one way to skin a cat.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 640
Likes: 146
From: Texas
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 20
Likes: 7
From: Edmonton Alberta
I did not take any photos. The latches with the handles are attached to the top of the windshield with 2 torque head bolts each. I installed 1 washer per bolt between the latch and the windshield frame. The moved the latch away from the frame by about the thickness of a quarter.
