Roof Panels Rattling

[Lewis's Friend]

Hi all.

Quick question for the collective S wisdom.

My roof panels rattle rather annoyingly with the roof up, particularly from the back. This is because the plug and socket are a less than tight fit.

The previous owner wrapped some black tape around the plugs to create a tighter fit. This actually works, but isn't really an elegant solution! Does anyone have a clever solution?

I don't particularly want to replace all the plugs and sockets as it would be rather expensive, and I'm not sure even that would help for long.

Thanks

[Deeman]

If you can get hold of the sockets and tangs it should be an expensive job. Refer to marks gbsportscar website which outlines how to do it . Tangs seem to be available again at TVR parts. Not seen the sockets available for a while

[Alan461]

The hoop should close more tightly on the targa panels maybe?
Adjusted with the folding strut bolts. If the panels aren't a tight fit there's a risk of losing them at speed.
But travel with the roof down is the definitive answer

[Deeman]

Sorry - predictive text!!!! Meant to say , shouldn't be an expensive job

[v8s4me]

Lewis's Friend said:

.....My roof panels rattle rather annoyingly with the roof up, particularly from the back.....

Anything you put around the tang will wear away quite quickly. The tangs can be made up very cheaply from flat bar and you will be able to get an off cut from your local metal-worker for next-to-nothing. Then bond them into the roof section with GF resin. Alternatively, buy a Chimaera, their roofs never wear out

[HvdWeerden]

You could try to "mould" some Sugru inside the sockets .. this would eliminate the play (more or less ;-)

Better to find the root cause of the rattling and adjust the roof or replace plugs/sockets !

https://sugru.com/

[greymrj]

The targa panels should be too tight for that to happen. It should take a real effort to get the locking struts up. If not why not? Double check that they are bolted in properly and there is no slack at the ends. If that isnt the issue try putting a packer under the lower mountings (just try with layers of dense card or plastic first) if that sorts it then make some proper packers.

Apparently when they were judged tight enough it was just possible to see the top of the screen frame deflecting! A bit scary but an ex TVR guy showed me!

As noted above, the tangs are now available although it is a bugger to retro fit original tangs and a couple of us have done it slightly differently. TVRParts were getting the sockets remade and had certainly identified a source, certainly worth a ring. If the sockets are not in good order you are in danger of getting water into the roof structure and also of splitting the grp above the screen.

Could you post a picture of the tangs, I have had to study this issue and replace the tangs on mine. I might be able to add more.

Do NOT rely on those puny little clips at the front to hold the panels down. They are screwed into grp which is less than 1mm thick!

[v8s4me]

If the problem is your struts, then this might be the solution....

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[glenrobbo]

The best solution is to remove the Targa panels and stow them where they can't rattle - in the A.R.S.E. mod. Go to this link & scroll down a bit:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=155...

[Lewis's Friend]

Thanks for all the replies chaps.

I have my name down for some new struts, so this may well fix the issue. My current struts are quite worn, so while they take a fair shove to put up, they don't sit straight when locked. Instead they go passed the straight and sit with quite a large angle to them (which would allow the roof panels to move). I think they may have been designed to do so, but not to the extent mine now do. There is visible damage on them where they over travel.

Hopefully new struts will fix it.

If not, I'll have to revisit the topic. I don't really want to have to replace all the sockets etc as I have done one already (missing when I bought the car) and remember thinking they were quite expensive for what thy were; particularly as they didn't fit together very snuggly.

[Lewis's Friend]

greymrj said:

Could you post a picture of the tangs, I have had to study this issue and replace the tangs on mine. I might be able to add more.

Do NOT rely on those puny little clips at the front to hold the panels down. They are screwed into grp which is less than 1mm thick!

I'll try and get a picture for you. I don't think they're in particularly bad condition, so hopefully they'll be ok!

[greymrj]

Hi Jon, yes I have seen the struts damaged as you say. There is a simple solution to that. Cut a piece of aluminium strip of suitable thickness and put it inside the outer strut so that the inner strut rests against it when in the top position. 'pop' rivet it in place. I have rubber strip inserts glued into mine to give that little bit of cushioning when the mechanism is tight, but I doubt that would be enough if there is damage.

[mk1fan]

TVR Parts are showing the tang holder on the website as I just emailed a link to Mat Smith.

If the tangs are gone then just get some stainless bar and cut it down rather than getting the TVR items. No more rusting.

I would wait until after you have fitted the new strut bars though. It could be that the struts are bending too far the other way when locked and taking the compression out of the roof.

Alternatively, mk1 MX-5 folding roof.

[v8s4me]

mk1fan said:

....Alternatively, mk1 MX-5 folding roof.

v8s4me said:

Ask Chris

[Lewis's Friend]

Just in case anyone else ever has this issue, and runs across this thread I thought I'd update.

I've fitted the new alloy roof stays and they have solved the irritating rattling (of course, all these things are relative - the whole car still rattles!).

The stays also look much better than the originals and are much better built, so all in all I will call that a good win!