Rattles and Crackles...My theory!

Yannis · Post by **Yannis** » Sun Jan 05, 2003 10:56 pm

Hi,

well after driving my pug for about 10000km I am fed up with this roof noise problem. There must be a solution!!
First of all we must find why this noise happens.
My theory is that the plastic quality of the roof's moving parts is such that when they get a bit dry they crackle. This is ONE of the reasons and the one WE might be able to do something about. Another one might be that the plastic parts dont exactly fit each other, they have some very tiny gaps, which possibly produce these crackles.
Another reason that we CANT fight is that the roof and its connections are not stiff enough, they bent very easily.
The first 2 reasons might have a solution:
My idea about it is to put a very very thin and soft plastic layer above the already fitted in order to fill the gaps. My problem is that where we can find such a layer and how will we stick this to the pug's without causing any problems.
Any ideas?

Yannis

andyc209 · Post by **andyc209** » Sun Jan 05, 2003 11:31 pm

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 12:24 am

Any ideas?

Yannis

yes - let me know when you find a definite solution

Yannis · Post by **Yannis** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 1:26 am

"yes - let me know when you find a definite solution"

What do you think of this?

"3Mâ„¢ Squeak Reduction Tape 5430 1 in x 3 yd Sample, 12 per case
An ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene film tape designed for the automotive industry. Controls squeaks and rattles due to vibration or wear of metal and plastic materials. "

http://makeashorterlink.com/?I43721AF2

Something else that I suspect is the left lock mechanism. Whenever I unlock and lock it the sqeaks disappear for a while. That's why I was looking for a way to tighten it.

Yannis

Alex LS · Post by **Alex LS** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 12:17 pm

Where would you put it? Actually on the seal itself? Will it maintain a waterproof seal?

At the moment, I'm happy to live with the slight creaks I have and accept them as part of the 'charm' of a convertible. I may consider the lubricants suggested elsewhere before I start sticking tape everywhere.

stephen T · Post by **stephen T** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 1:04 pm

i bet it u start taking bits apart u will end up with more noise.

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 4:04 pm

At the moment, I'm happy to live with the slight creaks I have and accept them as part of the 'charm' of a convertible.

Yeah I think this is an important consideration. A convertible will never be as structurally rigid as a roofed car, so it's gonna flex! It's always gonna have parts which move against each other, meaning you are gonna get the odd creak and rattle.

carl · Post by **carl** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 4:41 pm

Anyone else noticed that the car seems to flex more -- scuttle shake -- when the roof's down? I wouldn't have thought the roof made that much difference to the sitffness of the bodyshell, seeing as it's only attached to the windscreen by two clips.

Alex LS · Post by **Alex LS** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 5:14 pm

A couple of reasons.

1. You now have a lump of steel and glass in the boot and not over your head. Weight distribution of the car's completely different.

2. The chassis is that little bit more flexible because, even though they are only 'two clips' they are fairly strong and there are also the lugs to consider.

Phly · Post by **Phly** » Tue Jun 10, 2003 1:11 pm

After 9000km the locks started to squeek. Releasing the tention on the locks by pulling them halfway open (not all the way!) even whilst driving seems to alleviate the problem. I asked my dealer to fix it but they told me that nothing could be done... When I asked them if I could libricate it with a silicon gel they said "absolutely not". Aw well...

Darth Bourj · Post by **Darth Bourj** » Tue Jun 10, 2003 6:17 pm

If you are talking about the roof locks. Then the mountings (window side) Is adjustable. So you dealer is talking B!!"&#$

I initially used beeâ€™s wax on my seals and weekly I used to put a layer of fairy liquid on the seals and allow it to dry. Touch wood. I havenâ€™t had any creeks for a good 3 months and have not put anything on the seals. This might be down to the hotter weather at the moment.

My last convertible had felt stuck to the rubber seals where the window meet said seals, but that car leaked and after a few years the felt was rubbing off.

I was looking at Citroens pluriel convertible and the seals look like they have been sand blasted. It didnâ€™t make any noises with the roof up. So anyone with a sandblaster why not give it a go. :rolleyes: