Soft top cowl shake and creaking

[litebulb]

I'm pretty sure it is coming from the side pulleys of the soft top. Originally there was a little bit of creaking during bumps that I would take slowly or fast lateral movements. However lately it has gotten worse and I hear a lot of creaking over any non-smooth road surfaces. Anyone gotten the same issue and what did you use as a fix? I was thinking of using this which solved the creaking in my centre armrest.

Thanks

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[rudyv1]

any luck here?

I have cowl shake from the black plastic covers beside the windshield on the interior of the car. I was thinking of popping them off and spraying this in there, but I don't want any trapped odor inside the car if I do this.

[litebulb]

My gf sat in the back and still can't pinpoint it. It's around the passenger side rear fender. It could be the soft top frame, rear suspension mounts or the trunk. I'm going to systematically grease different areas and see if it solves it.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by litebulb

My gf sat in the back and still can't pinpoint it. It's around the passenger side rear fender. It could be the soft top frame, rear suspension mounts or the trunk. I'm going to systematically grease different areas and see if it solves it.

The upper rear shock mounts(bushing) have always been an issue for noise source in BMW's. I bet yours are whipped.

[litebulb]

Thanks Dack, any way I can know for sure?

Originally Posted by Dackelone

The upper rear shock mounts(bushing) have always been an issue for noise source in BMW's. I bet yours are whipped.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by litebulb

Thanks Dack, any way I can know for sure?

When you remove the shocks... you will see how much the rubber has compressed and hardened. The upper shock mounts are cheap to replace. Dinan makes a nice replacement set. Or some guys use the Z8 ones(I think?). Either way you can't go too wrong. New upper shock mounts OE are like $40 and the Dinan ones I think are under $100 for the pair.

Doing this on a Vert might be a hassle though. Not sure whats involved to gain access to the inner trunk liner - to drop the rear shocks out.

Dack

[litebulb]

So, I finally had some time to fully diagnose the problem and the noises are coming from the soft top mechanics. I cleaned and took a spray can of 3M dry silicone lubricant and lightly sprayed the many joints on each side as well as the spring loaded locking mechanism. I also did a full round of Gummi Pflege on the seals and around that plastic soft top cover. So far so good, I would say about 90% of the creaks are gone. I wonder if the this method would help with the A-pillars.