Rattle when roof panel is out

[white95]

When I have my glass roof panel removed, I hear a rattle or knocking noise in the rear area when driving over a rough road. I thought the glass panel was hitting against the rear window when in the stored position, but this is not the case as I tried driving with the panel stored elsewhere and STILL hear the knock. Anybody else run across this? Thanks!

 

[*89x2*]

everything will "rattle" a bit more w/ the top off - look at your cargo chade cover (the retractable one) as that may be the culprit or, it could be the top itself, stowed in the "clips" w/ the pin in the cargo area.
Good luck - hope this helps

 

[Yarls24]

White 95. I have the same problem on my '88. I am with you, just store it some where else. Mine felt secure at the time, but when I was driving, it was rattling like crazy. Its not hitting the back window either. Will investigate further as the weather becomes alot warmer.

 

[white95]

Rear window rattle-w/top removed

With my glass top off and stored in (or outside) the car (95 coupe), I get a very noticable knock when on a rough road. It appears that it is coming from the rear window latch area. It seems that with the top on, it adds pressure to the latch area and does not knock. Has anyone had a similar problem? The window seems to latch tightly, so I'm not sure why it knocks. Thanks for the help!

 

[Lingmieux]

I also noticed this on my 95 coupe last weekend when driving on a rough road. I thought it had to do with the top stored in the back, and that it was moved/shaken in such a position that could cause this "noise". I didn't investigate it further though. The sound was gone with the top on, or when not driving on a rougher road. It's like a creaking sound, right?

 

[white95]

Actually, mine is not a creaking sound, it is a "knocking" sound and it is only with the top off. I thought it was the stowed top bumping the rear glass but it wasn't, it still does it with the top out of the car. It's seem to lose its rigidity with the top off. Thanks.

 

[Yarls24]

My top is still rattling. Haven't figured it out yet. It seems tight when stored in the back. When top is on, no rattles. I will continue to look for the possible problem.

 

[white95]

Yarls24, Have you drove it with the top stored out of the car? This is driving me crazy, I even looked at the latch and found no problem. I'll keep looking. Thanks for the reply.

 

[white95]

Nyernga,
I did the 'kid in the back' trick (my 6ft tall 16 year old couldn't move much!) and he said it was in the area of the window latch. I took off the trim pieces around the latch thinking the latch could be adjusted to make it close tighter, but there was no room for adjustment. I will keep looking as well. Thanks.

 

[Mark Ferrara]

I have the same problem with my new top and found the problem to be the female housing that the screws bite into is loose. I wish I had keot my old top that was more secure. I can not find a way to tighten either side. Once the top is screwed into place it is fine. I bet you can move the hardware with your finger when the top is out.

 

[white95]

Mark,
Another member had suggested this possible fix as well, unfortunately, mine is in the latch area. Thanks!

 

[Yarls24]

White95, I have never drove the car without the top stored in the back. I will try it this weekend, and let you know the results.

 

[Jersey-vinny]

White95: I experience the same knocking sound when the roof is off my '88. It's definitely not because of the storage because I usually leave it home. I haven't figured it out either. I bet it has something to do with excessive flex in the plastic body without the structural rigidity afforded by the roof. Remember the C3's kept that bar in the middle when the panels were removed. I suspect we all found out why that bar was there.

VINNY

 

[Yarls24]

I took the top off yesterday, and left it in the garage. The rattle is still there. Must be body flex.

 

[wwood]

I managed to solve my "roof on" rattle problem.

I tighened up all screws and bolts in the area but this did not help.

The rear window appeared to latch securely, however, it would rattle on small bumps.

To solve the problem, I cut a small piece of inner tube from an old tire and wrapped it around the latching loop with tape. This forces the rear hatch to be pulled down just a little bit more. So far so no rattles. It may be possible to adjust the rear latching mechanism, but I'm going to wait until my factory manuals arrive before looking at this.

I still have a roof off rattle but that will be another problem to solve.

 

[white95]

I don't have the "roof on" rattle, but still have the "roof off" problem. I agree, the noise is around the latch area. I looked into adjusting the latch, but there was no adjustment available. I hate to hear that the rattle is due to flexing, but it must be. I will keep looking for a fix. With all the C4's out there, I'm surprised there aren't more complaints about this. Thanks.

 

[Tommy L]

I found this rattle or knock to be the gas filler lid. Try taping it with masking tape and see if that is the culpret.

 

[ZumZum]

You do lose some structural rigidity with the top out. I've noticed the same thing with my '88. MidAmerica has a device that attached to the bolts and acts like a T-bar with the top out. I don't have one yet, but am giving it serious consideration.

 

[ZumZum]

THis link will take you to the "Targa Truss"

http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=3.163.3625

 

[bill5674]

hey just my 2cents but could it be coming from the spare tire well?