SL2003driver

I've noticed that when driving with the roll bar up my SL feels more solid with no creaking from the rear of the car. The only squeaks I now ever get is where the roof attaches to the front windshield. Anyone else notice this??? It seems logical since with the roll bar up it acts as a solid connection for the 3rd pillar and would add signifcant structural support tying the upper part of the rear of the car together.

Murtaza

I don't see how it would affect anything to do with the hardtop as there is no direct connection

I'll have to try it next time my top is up

Fantasm

I dont know about the roof creak, but I can guarantee you that with the roll bar up it is stiffer

IngenereAMG

I always have the roll bar up. I just like the look/feel of it in the up position

SL2003driver

So you also notice the different feel? More of a solid feel.

IngenereAMG

Nah.......I just like it!

Murtaza

I always have it up with the top down for the same reasons...do you also keep it up when the top is up?

SL2003driver

Physic's would indicate that it would be stiffer. I see no reason to ever have it down?

kokanee

I guess I can't fathom the physics. The rollbar connects A to B via a pivot. If the roll bar is pointing up, down, front or back shouldn't make a difference to the structural strength between A and B as long as the pivot point is solid in all positions. I too like the look up. The only difference I find is a little bit of wind buffeting. The car doesn't creak that I can hear.

StephenK

Roll Bar DOWN and all 4 WINDOWS UP.

CY

I like it down most of the time. Up sometimes...but only without the windscreen attached. Looks better IMO.

SL2003driver

Is your arm the same strength with the elbow bent as it is when it is straight?

JackStraw

Sorry, I agree with kokanee here. As far a lateral rigidity is concerned, it shouldn't matter what position the roll bar is in. In the case of of roll-over, I would prefer it was in the up position.

Murtaza

Agreed. The elbow analogy doesn't add up unless the car is rolled over. The roll bar engages in a fraction of a second if the car rolls over anyway.

I've had it go up while taking a corner hard so I have no doubt it would go up well before the car was upside down.

IngenereAMG

I always have it up!!

StephenK

When i was rear ended in my 05, the roll bar popped up instantly, no chance i was going to flip over. It was good to see safety features actually work. Who knows if these things will actually work when we need them too, we just buy them and hope for the best.

Fantasm

I roll with it down when the top is down... if you get out and compare between the two, when the roll bar is down it looks a lot more sleeker and prettier.
I alternate between up and down depending on the type of driving I am doing.

I also guarantee that when the roll bar is up the car is more firm, I've tested it before and do notice that with it up the car is stiffer while turning.

meegle

We keep it down as well. Took the windscreen off as I find it really hinders visibility...the trade off wasn't worth it.

bltserv

I dont feel any difference up or down in the rigidity of the car.
Normally if top down I leave it down with windscreen up. Yes you lose a bit
of visabilty. Especially at night. I think the car looks just a bit sleeker with it down. Doing an Ortega Highway run next week. Will try it up and down while
blasting through the canyon on a weekday and see if I can feel a difference and report back.

oofreakoo

With a windscreen it looks kinda odd up. I do like the look of it without the windscreen though.

SL2003driver

Well I siliconed all the rubber on the hardtop and the creaking went away. Wonder how often you have to do that to keep the creaks away???

SLcharger

Must agree with kokanee here. UNLESS there is some sort of ekstra connection between the rollbar and the body, when rollbar is up, that can add ekstra stiffnes to the system. ( interlock, etc.)