Ive had a hard top fitted for quite a while now as imuch prefer it. I now get a constant squeak noise coming from the stowed soft top area. Ive sprayed the accesable soft top linkages with lithuim grease but it seems tired roof rubbers-are the culprit. Not supprising on a 20 yr old car. Are these rubbers still available ?
Never found lithium grease that effective on rubber seals.
So far - The best product I have used is gummi pflege
There seems to be a few offerings across the web but the one I use is :
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264693414278?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338365712&toolid=20006&customid=EB304937380&amdata=enc%3A1Uhp5-zhXRvq-p6BaLJiqIw32&_trkparms=ispr%3D1
I didnt use it on the rubber parts only on the linkages i could get to as the soft top is stowed behind the seats etc. To do the job properly the hard top will need to come off. Summer job ! I will give your recommendation a try.
Silicone spray lubricant (Holts professional) will get rid of the squeak and can be used on rubbers without fear of degradation.
Dry graphite powder spray is another option for the metal to metal bits.
As mentioned above the stuff with a funny name is well respected for reconditioning rubber bits and goes a long way so don’t be put off by the high pence per mls.
I’ll be interested to know how you get on because mine is doing the same thing and driving me nuts. As you say it’s a job for the summer when the roof comes off but of course then you don’t really find out if it’s worked until it goes back on again in the winter.
I’m surprised people expect to add a complete roof that is added onto car without a roof and expect to be like it had the roof in the first place.
I’ve a low mileage NC1 with a dedicated moving hard roof that was designed for it. It complains a bit when you first move the car after it’s been standing still for a bit. It settles and there are no more problems.
It’s good issues are raised but also that there are inherent problems with some designs. Early cars didn’t have a roof. We are blessed nowadays
It’s probably worth lubricating the contact areas between the detachable hardtop and the body, mainly the black moulding strip that runs round the back of the cabin.
Guess you are luckier than us.
Yep. I use my car all year so the PRHT is a good thing for me. I’m surprised it doesn’t squeak and squeal more.
I’ve never tried a softtop but assume it’s a bit like camping: great when it’s fine but noisy in bad weather.