Complaint 1-5
Complaint 1:Creaking and squeaking across entire width of the windscreen frame and at upper area of roof frame.
Cause:
The contact surface on the retaining strip is not flocked (a felt like covering that is applied during the manufacturing process of the retaining strip). Movement between the windshield frame seal and retaining strip will make this noise (A, figure 3).
Repair:
On hardtops without a flocked contact surface on the retaining strip, cover the area that contacts the windshield frame seal with a piece of Teflon tape. Cut a strip of tape 20 x 1,190 mm and place it on the retaining strip as shown by the arrows in figure 3.
Complaint 2:
Rattling from the outer area of the windscreen frame and the roof frame at the top left or right hand corner.
Cause:
Movement between the hardtop and windscreen frame combined with play in the centering pegs (B, figure 6) in their supports in the windscreen frame.
Repair:
Adjusting the fit into the windshield
1. Remove the hardtop.
2. Remove the mount bolt covers and loosen the two bolts at each of the mounts (arrow a, figure 4).
3. Move the mounts forward, towards the passenger compartment (arrow b, figure 4).
4. Pull the roof frame seal from under the mounts and lay it over the mounts (arrow in figure 5).
5. Tighten and torque the bolts to 7 Nm (5.0 ftlb.).
6. Install the hardtop and check the absence of play by vertically shaking it with the doors open. If play is still present, apply a felt strip of 20 x 20 mm to the top of each support (arrow in figure 6).
Complaint 3:
Squeaking from the middle area of the windshield frame at the top
Cause:
In the locking lever (C in figure 7) at the front, rubs in the guide slot of the locking hook.
Repair:
Open the locking lever and apply grease in the guide for the latch (arrow, figure 8).
Complaint 4:
Squeaking from lateral area of the windscreen frame at the top.
Cause:
The sun visor in the raised position rubs against the stop buffer of the trim panel when the vehicle is driven.
Repair:
Apply lubricant (Krytox or Vaseline) to the stop buffer (arrow, figure 8).
Complaint 5:
Creaking from the hardtop trim panels (all).
Cause:
The trim panels or their fastening elements rub against each other or the hardtop.
Repair:
Remove the interior trim panels and insulate them by applying felt or foam rubber strips in the areas that contact the other components.
Note:
Always replace the two piece metal clip (a, figure 9) before reinstalling the trim panel back on the hardtop. Only use the yellow clips that are coated for noise reduction. After installing the new clips, you must cover them with a piece of tricot tape (b, figure 9).
Listed below are the trim panels and the areas that need to be insulated for complaint 5.
Panel: Covers for hardtop latching element on left and right hand sides (D).
Remove the covers and flip them over. The cover consists of two separate parts that are bonded together (X, figure 10). Check the bond to see if it has separated. If it has, replace cover.
If the cover is firmly bonded together (D), check the condition of the felt strips. If they need to be replaced, see figure 11, letter b for size and placement.
Before reinstalling on the hardtop, replace the securing clip (a, figure 11) and cover it with a piece of tricot tape. On the topside of the clip, cover it with a 20 x 20-mm piece of felt tape, so it is not visible from the grille (C, figure 11)
Panel: Rear trim panel (G).
Cut four sponge rubber tape strips (25 x 40 mm) and stick them inside the trim along the rear edge behind the insulation (arrows, figure 12). If the tape strips do not stick, apply some contact cement in the areas indicated. Replace all securing clips and cover them with tricot tape.
Panel: Left and right side trim panels (E)
Unclip the side interior trim panel from the rear to front. Pull the rear of the panel towards the middle of the hardtop and withdraw it rearward from the front-most locking point. Check to see if the felt strips are present and undamaged (arrows, figure 13), install or replace them as necessary. Replace the securing clips and cover them with tricot tape.
Panel: Front trim panel (F)
Remove the front trim panel. Cut and stick 25 x 30 mm felt strips (arrows, figure 14) on the six ribs touching the hardtop. If present, remove the fabric tape from around the openings for the clips in the hardtop.