Interior Exterior
Q:
Please post your tips for quieting the sqeaks in my hardtop.
A:
If the squeaks are coming from the rear, try unscrewing the top off and then align it with the front end going first then sitting the back end last. After that, tighten up the rear screws then the fronts. Like I said in the beginning, if the rear is squeaking, this should do the trick.
A:
I have experiemented with quieting the hard top noises. Sometimes they work and sometimes the thing makes noise no matter what I do.
I make sure the seals are clean.
I have been known to lubricate the strike plates with white grease (lithium). I put some on with a Q tip and wipe most of it off. I focus on the hole for the pin and the U portion of the rear plate.
Settle the top in the right place, attach the clips and pins but do not tighten. Shake the top slightly.
When tightening, do not over tighten in the hopes the sounds will be minimized. Accoding to Nick, Lotus Club International forum, over tightening will stress parts and result in more noise.
Michael
A:
Mine is squeaking in the rear. I was gonna use some velcro tape (the felt half) as a buffer. I guess I'll try these first though!
A:
Has anybody tried ShinEtsu Grease on their seals?
Works wonders on S2000's ........
A:
Please post your tips for quieting the sqeaks in my hardtop.
Tip # 1. Go to your dealer there is a service bullentin. Don.
A:
Mine is squeaking in the rear. I was gonna use some velcro tape (the felt half) as a buffer. I guess I'll try these first though!
I did this - it helped.
A:
I sprayed some silicone lubricant on a rag then wiped the seals good.
No squeaks so far...Two months
A:
O.K.,
Where can I find this?
Has anybody tried ShinEtsu Grease on their seals?
Works wonders on S2000's ........
A:
Honda dealers have it but I don't know where else.
A:
What worked for me: cut some strips from a bicycle inner tube (about
1/2 in. wide by 3/4 in. long) and glue one strip to the upper surface of
each of the four locating pins on the hardtop. Rubbing some silicone lube
onto the rubber seals wont hurt, but the squeaks in my top were due to
the plastic locating pins rubbing against the grooves. Tightening the top
only helped a little.
Jim
A:
Tip # 1. Go to your dealer there is a service bullentin. Don.
I went to the local dealership weeks ago about my headlight sunburn. They took photos. I haven't heard back from them.
A:
Jim,
Are you talking about the two pins at the front of the HT? I'm a bit confused.
Jeff
What worked for me: cut some strips from a bicycle inner tube (about
1/2 in. wide by 3/4 in. long) and glue one strip to the upper surface of
each of the four locating pins on the hardtop. Rubbing some silicone lube
onto the rubber seals wont hurt, but the squeaks in my top were due to
the plastic locating pins rubbing against the grooves. Tightening the top
only helped a little.
Jim
A:
Jeff,
There should be a locating pin at each corner of the hardtop (black
plastic pegs which fit into slots in the windshield header or the roll bar
cover). All four need to be covered with a rubber strip as described
earlier. Another option might be to use teflon shrink tubing, but I didn't
try that.
Jim
A:
There should be a locating pin at each corner of the hardtop (black plastic pegs which fit into slots in the windshield header or the roll bar
cover).
Mine has the pegs up front and hooks in the back. I reseated it last night with a little silicon spray and haven't had any squeaks since.
A:
Hmm. Sounds like yet another "running change" for the later cars (mine
is an early '05).
Jim
A:
Regarding the earlier comment about Shin Etsu grease, it is probably
a silicone grease (I've never seen the product, but I know that Shin Etsu
manufactures one of the raw materials for silicon products). If so, you
should be able to find silicone grease at Pep Boys or at motorcycle shops
and M/C accessory suppliers.
Jim
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!!!!!!!