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Author Topic: Coupe hard top squeak/popping noise fixed  (Read 2647 times)

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Offline DeepBlueGXP

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Coupe hard top squeak/popping noise fixed
« on: March 10, 2010, 02:05:08 PM »
Since there isn't a Solstice plant with GM engineer around to look at the issues and fix things, I decided to fix the problem my self rather than take it to a dealer who has never seen a coupe and try to demonstrate the problem to and have them scratch their heads on how to fix.

As all of us that own coupes know the front of the hard top has two latches and guide pins.  The right latch area vibrates and squeaks and also leaks when it rains.  I had water come out behind the visor.

The issue is the guide plate needs to be shimmed/lowered so that when the top is installed, it has firm pressure on the latch and possibly fix the leak issue.

The fix:

Remove the top and set aside
Remove both visors
Remove the center A Pillar plastic trim
Remove the right A Pillar plastic trim, disconnect the speaker harness.

-The guide plate is now visable and is attached with two 10mm bolts.  
-WAIT: DO NOT REMOVE THEM.
-You must mark around the edge of the plate with a marker/scribe/tape to keep the alignement.  I used a gray permenant marker around the edge.  The plate has elongated holes.
-Remove the two bolts and plate.  With the bolts in the plate, place a 1/16th shim (aluminum sheet or some panel washers of the same thickness.) over the bolts.  Reinstall the plate.  
-Test fit the hard top. If everything looks good, reinstall the trim/visors.

This effectively lowers the plate by 1/16 and the top will have more clamping pressure.  I may have fixed the leak with this also.  I just have to wait for the next rain.  A brief car wash didn't provide any leak.  

I originally tried to just insert a washer as a shim in between the plate and A pillar at the edge of the plate without removing it, but it caused the hard top to sit about a 1/4" lower.  Once I shimmed both bolts, the plate only lowered the thickness of the washers.  See my cave man cartoon.

Dee commented the squeak was gone.
« Last Edit: March 11, 2010, 07:40:45 AM by DeepBlueGXP »

Offline Critterman

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Re: Coupe hard top squeak fixed
« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2010, 02:23:59 PM »
Mr. Fixit strikes again, water hose will check for the leak.  Good job Joe
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Offline JimmyBaja

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Re: Coupe hard top squeak fixed
« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2010, 02:47:32 PM »
I don't have a squeak, but I do get the popping/creaking noise. I'll try this, thanks joe.
Mr. Fixit strikes again, water hose will check for the leak.  Good job Joe
Water hose doesn't work for this leak, its a seeper, it takes a long soaking rain to get the leak because it seeps in slowly. I still can't figure out exactly how it gets wet inside the windshield frame (center A pillar)

Joe, if it leaks again pull the center A pillar plastic trim & check in the small oblong hole near where the passenger visor mounts & see if yours gets wet inside the A pillar. Just curious if this happens to anyone else.

 

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