PH latch rattle

salivan · 03-07-2011, 12:44 PM

This is so easy I don't think it needs a picture. Cut a 2 - 3 inch piece out of a mountian bike inner tube and pull it over the lower part of the latch (the bracket attached to the van). Put the hook in, close the latch, and pull the inner tube up over the hook and latch. It really works ... quick, cheap and easy.

joey2cool · 03-07-2011, 12:47 PM

So what I'm concerned about is that you have any rattle at all with a clamp latch that should be snug. What's up with that?

salivan · 03-07-2011, 01:10 PM

Good question. Sometimes it rattles and sometimes it doesn't. Probably just how thetop comes down at the time. I found that even snug, it would still rattle on some roads. So, I just put the inner tube on and use it all the time ... now it never rattles.

Skywagon · 03-08-2011, 05:56 PM

The latch is what is holding the top down. If it rattles, it isn't holding the top down. why not take a couple of turns on the J-bolt and tighten 'er up? Otherwise, the top is skating around up there and eventually is going to wear through the paint. (Not to mention the rubber gasket and ultimately the top, with a little help from dust and grit.)
Bill

salivan · 03-09-2011, 08:21 AM

The latches seem really tight, but I'll give them another turn and see how the top rides. Good point about it bouncing and sliding around ... don't need that.

jage · 03-09-2011, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywagon

The latch is what is holding the top down. If it rattles, it isn't holding the top down.

My latch plates flex a fair amount when my J-bolts are tight- they can take some over-tightening I think. However I don't think the J-bolts are holding the top down per-se, as when you release them the top doesn't go springing up.

Greggd · 03-09-2011, 05:59 PM

A method that has been working for us as of late is to leave the Rear Latch Unhooked for a Short distance after lowering the Penthouse . I am referring to nearly level driving surface's we then pull over for a brief moment , Fasten The Pre Adjusted Latch and head on down the road
I Think the reason our rear Latch works loose is because the rear of the Penthouse has more lateral movement than the Double Hooked front and does not alway's align itself completely
before securing .
Greggde

playVT · 03-10-2011, 07:32 AM

I solved the problem by sliding some clear poly tubing over the hooks. This eliminates the metal to metal contact and quiets the hooks. Be sure to lubricate the hooks before sliding the tubing on- makes the process a lot easier!

jage · 03-10-2011, 01:20 PM

Heat shrink tape would work too.

Scalf77 · 03-10-2011, 02:04 PM

My method to keep the hooks tight with an electric top is:
Bring top all the way down
Latch the j-hooks
put top up until sung.

This may not work for all electric tops, but on mine it sucks the top down a good inch after the sides make good contact. (Not sure if this is a feature or bug)

Heat shrink works really good and is relatively easy. I have also used the plastic dip.

-greg