Top on,,,, new sound

[Rondor]

We have had the hardtop on for a few weeks and are noticing some unusual noises when going over small bumps at slow speed. It is not real loud but when trying to find it I released the 2 back holdowns and the noise quit. Has any one else had rhis happen I can't feel any movement in top when clamped dowm.

[Gobird]

Re: Top on,,,, new sound

Ron, Removable hard top, end of story. You will get some noise from this with the body flex.

[Gobird]

Re: Top on,,,, new sound

On another note. You may not want to unlatch the hard top fully in the rear without backing off the front screws about half way.

[Rondor]

Re: Top on,,,, new sound

I agree, but until I released it never would have guessed it by the sound. My SL didn't have that. The sl top was twice as heavy tho'. I backed off front before locking back down. Did this in my driveway,,it's 360' long Thanks

[FEsTbird]

Re: Top on,,,, new sound

I had some sounds similar to what you describe on a freeway trip back from Santa Barbara the first winter that I had the car (trip was in spring of 2004). After I got home I found that TBNer's who used silicone grease had eliminated the problem. By then it was later spring and the top had been taken off. I have used the grease every winter since then and have had no noises even with similar road trips. I think that the grease makes it easier for the flexes not to be passed to the hard top.

[sauernote]

Re: Top on,,,, new sound

As I remember, there is a Ford grease that is recommended for this application. Are there any other alternatives out there that will not harm the rubber seal or the paint?
Thanks,
Ralph

[15AGAIN]

Re: Top on,,,, new sound

You may be missing the plastic spacer that goes on the female part of the connection. Drivers side comes off real easy, right side has wire connection for defroster and does not come off as easy. There is an old thread about that problem. If you can not find, let me know and I will see if I can find it.

[PaulD]

Re: Top on,,,, new sound

As Bill noted, you will get a bumping sound if that driver side spacer is missing under the hold down pin. If that is what it turns out the be, the part number is 1W6Z-7650611-AA

[FEsTbird]

Re: Top on,,,, new sound

As I remember, there is a Ford grease that is recommended for this application. Are there any other alternatives out there that will not harm the rubber seal or the paint?

I am not sure the silicone grease would be good for unprotected paint surfaces. I have always used the plastic protective strips.

[Gobird]

Re: Top on,,,, new sound

I think that would be a silicone spray. Not a grease. I use the clear spray on all rubber seals. Doors, trunk and hard top.

[Lonestar]

Re: Top on,,,, new sound

The Ford product Bill referred to is a gel not a spray. In some thread somewhere the part # is provided. However, any silicon greese (gel) or even the spray should work. But, check for plastic spacer as noted.

[Leroy]

Re: Top on,,,, new sound

It could be the weather stripping has dried out, it's not a real heavy - duty rubber, the stripping is only about 3/8" in diameter and hollow inside. My stripping was shot on my top and it rattled on rough roads or crossing RR tracks. I cut it all off and installed a 1/2" diameter solid stripping, the top fits on tight now and no more rattles and I use masking tape to protect the paint when the top is on then just peel it off when I take it off. So far no problems. I should mention my top is an 03, so it is a year older than my car. Leroy

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[Rondor]

Re: Top on,,,, new sound

I had thought about using silicone but was concerned about it effecting the paint. I wwill check the spacer, is it front or rear? I think the gasket is still pretty good, and I plan to install staimless kit in summer On another topic I heard you guys say you got more comments with haardtop on, so do I. Thanks for all the good tips and comments

[jayred1]

Re: Top on,,,, new sound

Here's a thread about the spacer (including pictures) that frequently gets dislodged/missing. I had a similar problem, luckily the spacer fell into the softtop storage area and I was able to find/reseat it.

Check it out, could very well be the cause of your problem.

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...rd+top+plastic