Targa Noise

[85911]

My Targa top is making noise on the driver's side at above about 50 mph(surprise). I have spoken with Dan and he stated most Targa noise problems are due to the age of the top. I believe him. But, there is a separation or bulge in my top seal on the driver's side that I believe is due to rust underneath it. So, I would like to try to remove the seal, clean up the rust, reinstall the seal, and then call Dan to rebuild my top.

I have searched Pelican's Tech info, the Bentley Manual, the Porsche Manual, and this forum and not found a good description on how to remove and replace the seal.

If anyone has done it, can you provide a description of the steps or point me in the right direction?


Thanks.

[darrin]

my seal pretty much yanked out (start on the sides) -- be sure to get an appropriately-sized replacement seal directly from Dan -- the factory part is wrong and doesn't fit our pre-1990 targas.

[Discseven]

85... Your seal looks in good condition. Before you dive into a seal replacement, it's possible to see how well the seal is making contact with the roof by wiping a generous amount of Pledge (or silicone grease) on the roof lip where it makes contact with the seal. Generous but not dripping. Put the roof on completely. Remove it. Areas where the seal makes contact with the roof will be wet on the seal. From this you can tell if you want to attempt a shimming or dive into a new seal.

[RSTarga]

He wants to get the rust off

[85911]

darrin: Thanks for the reply. So, I don't have to take any covers, etc. off? It is held in place entirely by seam sealer? And, yes, I am committed to evemtially purchasing Dan's seal.

Karl: Good suggestion. I will try it.

RSTarga: Yes, I intend to clean up this area. But, I have a DE this weekend, and if Karl's suggestion works, I will be satisfied with an adjustment. My long term plan is take out the old seal, clean up the channel, and install a new seal.

Thanks for your comments.

[DRACO A5OG]

Show a pic of the same area with the top on, a more side profile would be best.

Ideally you want the edge to seat in and down behind the windshield frame ( red painted part )

[strikee]

Its just glued in. One piece from memory. Work carefully so you dont rip it (thats if you want to re-use).

[85911]

strikee: Thanks. That is what I was looking for. I'll need to be careful.

DRACO A5OG:

The first 3 pictures are from the driver's side, the next 3 from the passenger side. On the driver's side, the top does not sit concurrent to or below the window frame as you suggest it should. And, it is in the area where I have noted a "bulge" in my front seal.

[DRACO A5OG]

Thanks for posting 85,

Okay, we know the issue now.

The top is sitting too high because most likely than not the PO or his wrench had built up your front seal thinking that will help with the sealing of the top up front. WRONG.

I bet if you carefully remove the front seal you will see "filler" there or added filler on the bottom of the seal.

Dan at CarsInc has the proper front seal for our 3.2's if you can not salvage your seal.

[85911]

DRACO A5OG: Your suggestion sounds good. I will try to carefully remove the old seal and see if cleaning out the channel and/or removing any added material there will help.

Thanks for your help.

[DRACO A5OG]

To test my theory, place blue tape at the front part of the top to window frame. Drive around at speed. This is how the car should sound, wind noise free.

[85911]

DRACO A5OG: Yes, I will. That's a good idea.

Thanks.

[DRACO A5OG]

While you are inspecting, check the ports for the hold down brackets, they may have been bent up due to all the pressure from the seal pushing the top up.

The risk here is that if you go too fast the top could pop off.

Check your PM.

[bobrestore]

It might be camera angle.... but on the passenger side the tops removable and adjustable drip rail (black) looks to be touching the cars windshield drip rail (red). There are a lot different rubbers for the years. That includes different side rail seals as well.... my experience is with the earlier Targa.... the first shop manuals volume I and II, had a lot of pictures and dimensions for the rebuild of the top. If you want to be serious about working on your car these manuals are a must.. p.s. the early manuals are a treasure of information....

[85911]

DRACO A5OG: Good idea. I'll check the ports.

PM?

Thanks for your help.

[DRACO A5OG]

PM=Private Message

You are welcome

[85911]

bobrestore: It's the camera angle. The black top metal drip rail is not touching the red windshield drip rail. There's about 1/16 in. clearance. I will look for the information you mentioned. It sounds like it will be helpful.

Thanks.

[keynsham1]

Originally Posted by darrin

my seal pretty much yanked out (start on the sides) -- be sure to get an appropriately-sized replacement seal directly from Dan -- the factory part is wrong and doesn't fit our pre-1990 targas.

I fitted a factory part to my 1978 Targa and it was identical to the original with a perfect fit. Extremely expensive though. Maybe they are still available in the UK?

[strikee]

ALSO NOTE. The noise from my targa roof was it lifting, like a wing, at speed. The top will balloon up and the noise of the wind over it will be loud. I went through all the above and it made little difference. You need to have you targa top re-done if noise is a problem. It needs to be taught to prevent the venturi effect as the wind goes over it. ed

[stevej37]

Are you sure that it's not the targa top clips that are letting go? My top did the same..wind noise at speed. Replaced the clips with the longer ones from our host...fixed the problem. Part #: 964-565-265-01-OEM