HTC maintenance?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 13,180
Likes: 10,527
Before the hot summer rolls in, I decided to lubricate all the rubber seals for the HTC with silicone grease, then wipe down. Doing this keeps the creaking down to a minimum and keeps the rubber from drying out.
While I was in there, I noticed all those large gears that are part of the convertible mechanism. Question - would it be a good idea to put a little grease on those gears too, and if yes - what kind?
While I was in there, I noticed all those large gears that are part of the convertible mechanism. Question - would it be a good idea to put a little grease on those gears too, and if yes - what kind?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 13,180
Likes: 10,527
Do not open and close the HTC. It is only there to add on costs and reduce value based on how many times you to have take back to dealer for service. Nice feature, but, too many posts on here about wire failures and Nacelles flapper hangs resulting in scratches. Then how about the two posted that it hung in mid open / closed and had to be towed to the dealer at 25MPH, and the other guy drove to the dealer at 25MPH to get it back there.
I have the HTC too, but, I just dont trust it much now.
I have the HTC too, but, I just dont trust it much now.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 13,180
Likes: 10,527
I drop the top on my HTC almost every drive, for over a year and no problems. If there's maintenance, I'd have the dealer do that, or mention it to them if it's a concern. I enjoy watching those gears turn. The top is designed by the same company that did the Maserati MC20 Cielo and other HTCs. It's mechanical, so there are always going to be potential problems. I enjoy watching the HTC work, and it does so beautifully.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 48
Likes: 29
I'm kinda interested in what grease you use on the seals. I don't really want to use ArmorAll kind of stuff as I know that can dry out the seals over time.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,395
Likes: 8,558
SilGlyde is recommended for seals. Its what I would use if I were going to put something on my seals. Which I do not. I would use it on the HTC rear window upper edge - but it came already lubed and I have not touched it. Very very thin application.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,906
Likes: 554
From: Scottsdale AZ
Same here. I live in SoCal and drop the top most days when I pull out of the garage. Then I put it up when I park, drop it again for the next leg of my errands, etc. The car is over 3 years old, can't count the number of top cycles, and (so far) no problems at all.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 725
Likes: 89
From: East Northport NY
I read in many places that ordinary silicone grease/dielectric grease is fine. Put a thin coat, let it sit for 15 minutes or so, then wipe off excess. It's a messy job but once its done, its done.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 13,281
Likes: 2,509
From: Bluffton SC via Canton Oh
So Somehow this post became a pro/con discussion of HTC usage - that was not the intention. All I asked is whether anyone recommends applying grease to the rather large gears of the HTC mechanism, and if yes, should it be the thick silicone grease or the old "balljoint grease" from yesteryear. I was hoping the mechanically inclined would reply.
Thanks again
Thanks again
Sounds like politics doesn't it? LOL. For some reason my well used HTC got out of alignment and would hang up as the stud went into the window frame. I talked to 2 dealers who had no experience working on the tops. So I figured what could to wrong..... I got tools. I noticed one of the housings on the right rear gear had moved probably because of the stress or the stud not going in, you could see the original imprint in the paint... I could see where it originally was. So I loosened the housing and realigned it. I loosened the stud and noticed there was a shim under it that shifted. I realigned that too..... All is well, no further issues in 2 years. BUT my answer to your question..... as I messed with all the gears back there researching a solution, I too thought maybe some lube could help, do they use lube? Wiping down all the gears with a white paper towel...... I could find no grease. It gets hot back there I'd not use any lube. Based on the above if lube dripped down to the base of the brackets that might make them more likely to shift with the issues I had.
Just my experience for what it is worth.
