I was wondering if anyone else out there is experiencing or has experienced some rattle with thier oem hardtop. Are there any tricks on how to minimize this? Mine isn't bad but it's noticeable when going over bumps. I installed the hardtop strikers and it helped out a lot but it's still not where I'd like it be. I'm wondering if the cold weather is causing it to contract making it fit less snug...who knows? it's a 2000 if it helps at all. Any input would be appreciated.

 

Did you use some sort of lock-tite so that the bolts dont come loose when you installed the Hartop strikers? If those are still tight I would check the other mounting points. Shouldnt be to hard of a fix.

 

I used lock tite on the strikers..but not on the rear mounts. I'll check those out. thanks.

 

so I was looking at my hardtop and noticed the passenger side latch was missing the cylindrical rubber grommet that the driver side latch has. I'm wondering if this is the problem.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cardriver &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so I was looking at my hardtop and noticed the passenger side latch was missing the cylindrical rubber grommet that the driver side latch has. I'm wondering if this is the problem.</TD></TR></TABLE>

probably. make sure all your seals are lubed with lithium grease

 

already done with shin-etsu

 

You can try cutting a piece of radiator hose and sticking it in between the hardtop striker and the latch. This will most likely fix all your rattling problems.

 

also, the front clamps for the hardtop have spacers in them...

mine had 3 on each side. i removed two on my left side because it rattled. it tightened the seal up, no more rattle...

 

There is a procedure for fitting the hardtop.

Also a short piece of vacuum line on the hooks on the front latches can help.

 

are you sure its the hardtop that rattles not the soft top? push the stoppers further down

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Y2K_S2K &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">are you sure its the hardtop that rattles not the soft top? push the stoppers further down </TD></TR></TABLE>

you ever read that thread about the guy that pushed his soft top down further and ended up breaking his rear glass window?

i know its not realavent to this post, but it poped in my head.

 

I like the vacuum line idea on the front hooks..I'll have to try that out. I haven't seen any spacers in the front latch. That mechanism kinda boggles my mind and I don't really want to take it apart. As far as the missing rubber piece on the passenger latch..I have that on order from hardtopguy.com. I guess I'll be getting that sometime soon...and I'm considering just taking out the soft top. I doubt I'll ever remove the hard top...but the thought of it being the culprit has crossed my mind...something else to look into

 

Straight from the text of Honda...
This noise can be the result of any of these causes:
1. Gaps between the mounting bracket and the plastic trim of the lock handles
2. Rubbing of various weatherstrip peices and plastic parts on the top frame