Roof tapping noise

uglymike

Hi everyone,

Picked up my Roadster back in June. In the last 2 weeks I've been hearing a constant tapping noise above the passenger seat. It almost sounds like it is between the external and internal canvas. I've tried opening and closing the roof to try and dislodge or settle the possible loose part but it's still making the noise.

The question is, is this normal or should I have it checked? I've never owned a convertible and I'm not sure if this is something I just have to put up with because it's a soft top. Any ideas?

Thanks!

The Bodyman

Just an idea. Try wetting it down then take it out for a run.

uglymike

Thanks for the tip. I'll do that tomorrow and see what happens.

This morning I opened the roof about 1/2 way and had a look between the canvas layers but I couldn't see anything that could be making the noise. Funnily enough I didn't get any noise on my 30 min trip to work but it was back when I drove home. I want to think it is just the canvas settling and will eventually go away, but I'm not that patient especially since the car is only 2 months old!

The Bodyman

Not sure what that could be. Try the wet test first. Let me know.

Jon

mults

My wife's Hyundai has been making a similar noise that took me a long time to figure out. It is NOT a convertible, but the noise SOUNDED like it was coming from the passenger area, so I decided to have her drive. After miles of driving, I discovered that the inside mirror was the culprit. When I held the two halves together, the noise would go away. Seems as the noise was bouncing off of the inside of the windshield and ended up in the passenger area. Still drives us nuts, but at least we know where it is coming from.

Just my $.02

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mults
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uglymike

Thanks for the tips everyone.

I tried the wet test but the noise was still there. On closer inspection, it sounds like it is coming from around the passenger mirror, not in the middle of the roof. I think the sound is bouncing around the cabin making me think it was in one location when in fact it is elsewhere.

Thanks for the suggestion @mults, I'll check the mirror tomorrow when testing it out again.

My current theory is that it's rubbing where the roof closes and connects to the windshield on the passenger side. It really sounds like a plastic and rubber tapping noise which sometimes sounds like a rubber on rubber rubbing noise. After checking the mirror scenario, I might close the roof on a rag so the rubber contacts don't connect and see if the problem goes away. I'm not convinced it is the canvas roof or something loose between the layers, the sound it makes doesn't make sense for it to be there.

I'll come back with the results of my testing.

SouthArk370Z

I've never owned a 'vert but I've helped one of my buddies work on some of his. I think you are on the right track with the windshield seal area. The latches should be adjustable and may just need to be tightened a bit.

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uglymike

Thanks for the reply @SouthArk370Z. I think I'm on the right track too.

After about 2 hours of driving around and testing various areas for the noise, I've narrowed it down to where the roof comes together when closed, right above the passenger window. After trying my cloth in the connectors test, I found the problem went away when I put the cloth in the join and closing the roof. It is on the inside of the cabin, not the outside. I guess I'll need to take it back to the dealership and get them to look at it. I'm going to leave the cloth in the join this week to ensure the problem has disappeared, as soon as I am 100% sure that's where the problem is (I'm 95% there already, I just want to be in no doubt) I'll get them to look at it. I have considered putting some adhesive rubber in the join but that's not an elegant solution.

Thank again for your replies.