79 T-Top Noise

[rmonty]

I just replaced the weather seals on my 79 T-tops and now there is a fair amount of noise from the mount points as the chassis flexes. Will this subside as the seals seat or is there a good method of lubricating the metal to metal contacts that other owners have found?

PS: I am a first time Vette owner as of January 03 . . . why did I wait so long! This is a lot of fun!

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Welcome rmonty!

Welcome to Corvette Action Center.

I'm not sure I understand about metal to metal contact on your t-tops...the w'strip should make contact all of the way around with no metal touching anywhere, other than the mounting points that attach the tops to their places (and these should have no movement).
You may be hearing wind-whistle at the corners where the side windows meet the tops...?
You can lubricate the w'strip with products made specifically for w'strip, I use di-electric grease.
Heidi

 

[rmonty]

After looking at this problem further I have discovered that the plastic guide is missing from the drivers side rear t-top mount point and switch. This is probably where the noise is coming from.

I have been looking around for a replacement but I have been told that you have to replace the whole switch assembly, and by the way they are really hard to find! The next step might be to talk to a machinist friend of mine about making a new plastic guide.

If anyone knows of one of these parts available I'd like to talk to you.

Thanks,
- Bob

 

[red70vette]

If you are referring to the guide where the T-TOP guide pin inserts on the mounting plate they are available from many of the suppliers. I suggest DR Rebuild, Paragon, or Zip. I purchased replacements but I can't recal which one had them.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Switch?

What switch?

I also agree that the plastic sleeve the ttop rear pins slide into could need replacing. My own were cracked and each missing a portion, this allows the ttop to 'spring' outward at the rear edges because the sleeve is not there holding the pin firmly in the center of the hole. The new w'strip flexes the tops out, causing gaps at the windows.
I purchased replacements from one of the big Vette Catalogs. There were several items inside the bag; various screws, plastic sleeves and even new ttop pins.
Heidi

 

[rmonty]

Heidi . . . Switch?

There is a switch built into the drivers side rear t-top mounting plate that is part of the alarm system. As the pin engages into the mount it depresses the switch. If someone tries to steal the t-top panel the alarm will activate.

Thanks to red70vette for the leads on parts. I will be checking with them for a replacement mount plate.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Hey!

You learn something new every day!

I just went out and looked at my tops...nothing. Aftermarket or was that something that began in 1979?
Heidi

 

[rmonty]

The alarm is OEM. It is activated by locking the drivers door with the key. I hadn't noticed the switch part of the mounting plate until I was talking to a local shop and they told me about it. It isn't real obvious just looking at it. I just tested the alarm and it doesn't work . . . another thing to add to my list of things to do!

I haven't seen the alarm listed as an option in the various listings for options for the '79 so I assume that they all came standard with it.

 

[Stallion]

"The alarm is OEM. It is activated by locking the drivers door with the key."

You know, my Vette does that too. Where's the safety in that? :confused I can't understand this alarm system.