Power roof mark 3 latch issue?

Technical Area Body, Interior & Styling
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  1. My model of MX-5 is: __2011 mark 3 kendo 2.0 coupe with power roof
  2. I’m based near: __no
    IMG_20230602_084918017_HDR
    IMG_20230602_084918017_HDR1920×3412 285 KB

    IMG_20230602_084911003_HDR
    IMG_20230602_084911003_HDR2296×4080 400 KB

    rthern Ireland
  3. I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __power roof latch issue , roof rattling when locked .

Roof rattles when closed appears to be behind the latch , just acquired car don’t know if latch is faulty ? Appears to be only linkage on left had side , please see photo , any assistance greatly appreciated . possible New latch mechanism required ? Roof functioning correctly otherwise .anybody in Northern Ireland who specialises in roofs on mark 3 ? many thanks

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Quite often there is a loose Torx bolt either around the latch itself or failing to secure the two locating points nearer the A-pillars.

The do-up torque setting for all of these is ridiculously low, so after those on my NC kept loosening I added a touch of Medium ThreadLock and then while the correct torque setting was not exceeded they now hold.

Use a touch of TL also on the chrome-dome Allen bolts securing the rear deck quadrants, these also work loose.

Only use a touch because a little TL goes a long way, and that tiny tube does not go off; still good a few years later.

It has a side benefit in that treated threads are less prone to rusting solid, so I also used TL on the nuts of the new drop-links (notorious for rusting up).

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Thre is some adjustment in the latch which you could try. There’s a small circlip on the pin that the spring is attached to. Remove the spring, remove the circlip and remove the pin. The plastic cover is held on with a (tight) screw, remove this and the cover. You’ll then expose and threaded part that the pin went through. Screw that in half a turn, reassemble and re-test. If required, repeat the process and add another half turn.

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4

The two “male” prongs or locators so to speak, one left, one right, on the roof front where it meets the windscreen top on closure, can give an annoying rattle. I inserted a small black self adhesive pad onto these on both of mine and cured it immediately.
Foam was only 2mm thick and obviously compressed when roof closed.
That was 3 yrs ago and still no rattle
Worth a shot :+1:

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Thanks for that Reggie will give it a go

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Thanks for that Roaster Robbie , it’s quietened down at present , your comments much appreciated

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Thanks for that Richard FX , will find a specialised mechanic and pass your thoughts on if it gets worst.

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Hi Reggie going to have a go at this , noise only seems to be coming from the driver’s side one , did u put the pad on the top of the male prong or under the bottom of it ? Thanks

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I put it kinda half and half around the tip of the male prong so it catches both top and bottom. I was well pleased cos it ceased immediately :+1:

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Hi Reggie, do u think a bit of sticky back Velcro smooth side, placed over the end of the prong covering both top and underside would do the job ? Thanks

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If that’s what you have to hand, it can only be worth a go. I never used Velcro because it’s a little stiffer and may not hold fully. I just used a black self adhesed foam pad which has more flex in it. It still ain’t budged after 3 yrs.