SL/R129: Creaky hardtop...
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Joined: May 2004
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From: California
2014 C250 sport
Creaky hardtop...
My grandma has a 2001 SL500, and the hardtop is extremely creaky and annoys everyone who drives in it. If you apply a lubricant to the seals, i.e. silicone, would these creaks stop? They mainly occur at the rear part of the hardtop when you're entering/exiting a ramped up driveway at an angle(this is where the bending stiffness of a car is put to the test) 
thanks for any help......
thanks for any help......
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Washington State
2001 SL 500
Originally Posted by akbro93704
My grandma has a 2001 SL500, and the hardtop is extremely creaky and annoys everyone who drives in it. If you apply a lubricant to the seals, i.e. silicone, would these creaks stop? They mainly occur at the rear part of the hardtop when you're entering/exiting a ramped up driveway at an angle(this is where the bending stiffness of a car is put to the test) thanks for any help......
thanks for any help......My SL will make noises under the same conditions.
S
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Joined: May 2004
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From: California
2014 C250 sport
Originally Posted by SilverSL500
If you have a bending moment and no compliance, then something breaks. If it just does it on a driveway, and the rear of the top is tight otherwise, then unless she spends all her time in the driveway, I don't see much of an issue.
My SL will make noises under the same conditions.
S
My SL will make noises under the same conditions.
S
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
I find that lubricating the rubber seals on the hardtop is essential to avoid creaking. The hardtop acts somewhat to counter lower torsional stiffness of the convertible body. Because of this, the rubber needs to "give" a tiny bit with body flexing. If the rubber can "move" smoothly, things should be quiet. I've also found that the lubricated seals will take a few miles to quiet down. They seem they need to work themselves into the right position / configuration.
- FD
- FD
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2004
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From: California
2014 C250 sport
Originally Posted by Floobydust
I find that lubricating the rubber seals on the hardtop is essential to avoid creaking. The hardtop acts somewhat to counter lower torsional stiffness of the convertible body. Because of this, the rubber needs to "give" a tiny bit with body flexing. If the rubber can "move" smoothly, things should be quiet. I've also found that the lubricated seals will take a few miles to quiet down. They seem they need to work themselves into the right position / configuration.
- FD
- FD
