Hardtop Rattle

[Buzzaround]

Recently bought a 2001 Z3 with the factory hardtop. The seller showed me the little wrench for removing it-a T-handle Torx driver. But I soon found out that every 5 miles or so I have to tighten the drivers side front bolt with that tool- the hardtop gets loose right there and rattles! I've tried to remove the fastener to add thread-lock, but I can't get it out. Any suggestions?

 

[BMBabe]

@Nodzed @spurs fan in a coupe @Bozzy @Lee

 

[t-tony]

The screws have an "O" ring on them to seal against water ingress and this stops them falling out. Putting threadlock them shouldn't be necessary..

Tony.

 

[hard top]

Its got more to do with the condition of the rubber windscreen surround.

 

[DavidM]

Try re-tightening the front lip where it meets the top of the window frame via the two screws either side.

First though - loosen them off - unlock the rear levers both sides - then tighten the front screws evenly both sides to a point where it requires pressure to lock the rear levers back in - then tighten the front screws until they are secure with no wind noise when driving.

It’s a pain - but a staged approach to this may help - good luck!

 

[Jack Ratt]

@Buzzaround The main screw that you're referring to fits into a plate in the hardtop that is adjustable. Check that this adjustable plate is firmly tightened. If it isn't, you wont be able to fully tighten the main screw.

 

[Nodzed]

Check the overall adjustment of all the fixing points, the method is on here somewhere.

 

[Bozzy]

Also worth checking the rubber pads that should be on the rear edge.
@Antm72 had to buy some for his as they were missing.

Steve.

 

[Buzzaround]

Wow! Thanks, everyone, for your quick responses! Out to the garage I go to try these fixes...

 

[Antm72]

There should be two rubber pads that insert into two rectangle cut outs in the top. Both where missing on mine and the top rattled but noise free when fitted.
The hard top fitting pins also have locking nuts athough they may look tight but slacken them off as if removing the top and check they are ridged as they rattle also in the mounts.

 

[BMBabe]

@Mnbrennan we need to look at mine

 

[Buzzaround]

Well, I loosened up all 4 corners and the bolt that continually loosens just dropped right out! So I put some threadlock on the threads and tightened everything up. We'll ser if it does the trick!

 

[Antm72]

What the two pads do is push down on the hood frame holding it secure the rattle heard with out the pads was the frame moving up and down, not something you hear due to wind noise when the hoods down but very noticable with the lid on

 

[BMBabe]

What the two pads do is push down on the hood frame holding it secure the rattle heard with out the pads was the frame moving up and down, not something you hear due to wind noise when the hoods down but very noticable with the lid on

Mine is terrible!! But haven't really had the time to mess about with it

 

[Antm72]

Mine is terrible!! But haven't really had the time to mess about with it

Try the catches that hold the roof down when it's closed. I found that thet where what was rattling inside the frame. What the rubber pads do is hold the catchers still what gets rid of the rattle.

 

[Buzzaround]

My issue was that the bolt kept loosening.Almost instantly. No wind noise, just rattling a few minutes after tightening the bolt. Hopefully the threadlock will help.

 

[Ianmc]

I don't have a hardtop rattle, or a hard top come to think of it.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Hardtop shmardtop. Mine's hanging up in the shed where it belongs. Can't be raining all the time, and when it ain't the roof is coming down, cold out or not.

 

[BMBabe]

Try the catches that hold the roof down when it's closed. I found that thet where what was rattling inside the frame. What the rubber pads do is hold the catchers still what gets rid of the rattle.

Thanks mate The handles at the back don't stay shut Every bump and they are open
@Mnbrennan we need to try Ants fix

 

[t-tony]

Although this isn't a hardtop as such, I took Shirl's oil burner in to work yesterday to get two new rear tyres and a four way alignment done. When I left work about 1/4 mile from work the TPS light came on and the roof mechanism was rattling like crazy over every little bump like when it had a broken spring. I couldn't do anything about this last night as I had to collect Shirl from hospital.
So, I took the car into work again today and checking the tyre pressures I find that the tyre lads had "blown" the tyres onto the rims and left them at 40psi !! No wonder it was a bit rigid over bumps.. I will be checking mine before I leave next week

Tony.

ps. The point here is check your tyre pressures, it can make a difference.