Interior Exterior
Q:
My top is squeaking like crazy. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix it? Thanks!
A:
Many threads here regarding this subject: I made sure my top was cinched down all the way around. I would also call your dealer, talk to the mechanic immediately -- as I would do with all Lotus problems...
A:
Mine squeaked when I reinstalled it last December. Make sure that everything is tightened down right on the rear attachment points - that seemed to be my problem.
A:
Some electrical tape along the places where the top touches the car works wonders
A:
The rear drivers side is where its coming from, I'll try the electrical tape trick, thanks.
A:
Like others say, tightening sequence can cause all sorts of issues. Tighten the rear first, equally. Might want to try some armor all on the seals too.
A:
If it's Ardent red you could sell it to me.... That would fix it!
A:
Mine was squeaking and driving me crazy as well after I had removed it and refitted it. I simply removed it again and put it back on and this time it's fine, no more squeaks. I accidently droped one of the bolts from the rear brackets behind the passenger side seat and had a hell of a time retreiving it. Note to self don't drop small items behind the passenger seat or you may end up removing the seat to retrieve them.
A:
Try this.
A:
Talk to your dealer. There's a warranty fix.
A:
This COMPLETELY ELIMINATED the squeeks in my hard top - - better than when the car was new: I mean no squeeks at all. None!
(1) I spent less than $2.00 for some Powdered Graphite Lubricant at the local hardware store. (go to the key section)
(2) I took off the hard top and placed it upside down on a blanket.
(3) I "puffed" some of the lubricant on the front and back portions of the hardtop on the inside.
(4) I stuck the top back on, bolting in both front and then both rear in that order.
Did I mention how well this works??
I cannot find this on the web, but the lubricant was made by The Hillman Group, Inc.
"Protects against rust, freezing, wear. Use on metal, wood, plastic, rubber, leather"
Good luck!!!!!!!
A:
I realized at the beginning of this winter that the factory fit on the hardtop mounting brackets was rather poor. Took it to the dealer for a warranty re-fit and all the squeeking stopped. Yay!
A:
I took the top off the Exige today, and re-installed it, no improvement (in fact, it got worst). I lubed the front and rear of the top with the powder graphite lube, and it didn't help either. I am going to take it in to the dealer and have them figure it out... argh! I know why it's squeaking so bad--the driver's side rear doesn't sit flush with the roof line of the car. It is off by about 2-3mm.
A:
That is why I like to use the electrical tape, it helps it seat better.
Also, tightening the bolts in different order will make a difference.
A:
Mine was very loud squeking and now the car is very quiet!
Here is what I found in the paper work (scanned and OCR'ed):
THE CUSTOMER SAYS THE HARD TOP SQUEAKS WHILE DRIVING.
CAUSE: HARD TOP SQUEAKS
2005/07 SERVICE CAMPAIGN
112 WL
2 A117U0507F SLEEVE-ROOF SPIGOT (N/C)
1 A111V6019V GRIPLOC SELF ADHESIVE - LOOP (N/C)
FC: P,ART#: COUNT:
CLAIM TYPE:
AUTH CODE:
WE VERIFIED THE CONCERN,WE FOUND BULLETIN 2005/ 07. THE PROCCEDURE WAS DONE AND THE VEHICLE WAS RECHECKED. NOISE WAS STILL PRESENT. WE THEN R&R
THE HARD TOP AND LUBED ALL SEALS AND INSTALLED WEAThER STRIPPING TO ALL
CONTACT POINTS REINSTALLED AND ROAD TESTED TO VERIFY THE REPAIRS.
A:
Turn up the radio volume OR insert earplugs
A:
Qais over at South Bay just did the warranty fix on the squeaking hardtop... no more, not a sound!
A:
I accidently droped one of the bolts from the rear brackets behind the passenger side seat and had a hell of a time retreiving it. Note to self don't drop small items behind the passenger seat or you may end up removing the seat to retrieve them.
I can usually retrieve stuff from under the passenger seat using the standard "emergency retrieval" technique: go to an empty bit of road, wind her up to about 60mph, then slam the brakes hard enough to engage the ABS. Most things that are under the seat end up hitting the footwell and can easily be retrieved from there
A:
I had a problem with squeeking and found that bending the clamps on the top section cured the problem. Used pliers and gently bent them back up. They had become a slight bit 'straightened out' so that tightening the bolt all the way down did not provide enough 'pull' on the top. Really easy and worked like a charm! nomorattles
A:
I can usually retrieve stuff from under the passenger seat using the standard "emergency retrieval" technique: go to an empty bit of road, wind her up to about 60mph, then slam the brakes hard enough to engage the ABS. Most things that are under the seat end up hitting the footwell and can easily be retrieved from there
This actually worked quite well at retrieving gummy bears once (from my 3 year-old). Funny how they got much noisier after drying out