Roof noise

[Dickie Dastardly]

I'm getting some loud cracks/rattles off the roof when driving on bumpy roads (of which there are bloody loads in the Lothians).
The hook at the front of the roof is tight and the rear locators seem pretty secure, is there anything that should stop what sounds like hard surface to surface contact? Should the rubber seal on the targa provide a certain amount of buffering?

Cheers
Richard

[TravelsVeryRapid]

I use silicone spray when it gets noisy, seems to do the trick. On my last service at Hexham they used some sort of tape and it has made it quieter.

[Dickie Dastardly]

Thanks, l have both to try and stop squeaks - the rear window looks like it's been mummified

[NCE 61]

The roof seals compress over time and can allow some movement of the roof panel, the only solution is to replace them. Further to this anti-squeak tape on the rear header rail prevents the rubber strip on the roof making contact with the paint and reduces anoying squeaks from this area. The only way I have made the rear screen quiet is fitting the alloy screen clips as these hold the screen in place correctly as the plastic ones bend and this prevents contact with the boot lid. Another piece of anti-squeak tape on the top of the rear screen also helps.

[Curdster]

Richard I have exactly the same issue. The roof is clearly moving around as the small slot in the front part of the roof where it fits into the windscreen channel is now damaged and the slot is getting bigger at each trip. I have relatively new rubbers and this has not solved the issue. I am now wondering if the pin slots need adjusting. I need to find out before I repair the roof, so if you succeed can you post the solution.
I have sorted the rear screen by upgrading the clips and using screen tape so a roof-off drive is a lot less "crashy"
Ian

[Dickie Dastardly]

I adjusted the pin locating sleeves on the roof at the weekend Ian but have not had a decent run yet, will let you know how it goes.

Interestingly the roof front locating pin has disappeared on mine and I've also had to replace the roll pin which the front hook/latch pivoted on, not sure which failed first but I reckon one caused the other... I just don't think these cars were designed for the atrocious roads we have to put up with these days.

[Curdster]

Richard agreed and thanks. Please let me know if you were successful. I am considering what to do with the roof. I had considered machining a small alloy plate with a half hole to fit over the damage as if I repair the problem will reoccur, it's a shame that there are not 2 anchor points on the windscreen slot.

[Dickie Dastardly]

Well had a good run in the car today and unfortunately the issue is still there. It's odd as the "loud cracking noise is intermittent, some bumps are fine then others are torturous - I find myself wincing before I even get to patches of road which look rough.

The noise definitely seems to be from the front though so back to the drawing board to look and see if there is another way to tighten/better secure the targa.

Ian - keep me posted if you come up with a solution......

Cheers

[boardinscotland]

Hey Richard

I had the same on mine. I think mine was the actual front hook moving when you hit a bump even although it was very tight. Cured it by wrapping insulating tape around the hook so no metal to metal contact.

G

[Dickie Dastardly]

Thanks Greig,

Done a bit more work on it today -

Importantly I've managed to replace the missing locator dowel in the center of the front screen, I also was able to build that up with anti squeak tape which means the roof is a snug fit. I have also re adjusted the two rear locating sleeves for the roof retaining pins and finally I put a little strip of gaffer tape inside the hook on the front locating latch.

Unfortunately I ran out of time to take it for a blast this evening but will maybe head into Edinburgh one night this week - those roads could test a 4x4 let alone a TVR.

One thing I did notice when leaving work at lunchtime - in heavy rain the traction when pulling out into traffic from a standing start is almost zero