MGF Hardtop Rattle

Its Summer Down Under, and were I live in the Sub-tropics Summer means mostly day time temperatures 32C - 40C. It also means that it usually rains every second day, and when it rains here it monsoonal rain like you don't see in Europe. As such I usually fit the Hardtop at the end of November and leave it on until February.

My MG-F is not my daily drive, its one of four MGs that I own but being air-condtioned I love using at this time of year. The hardtop has just gone back on but there seems to be more than the usual amount of squeaks occurring. Am used to some but there seems to be a lot of squeaking, rattling and thumping. I noticed that the clamps did not seem to require the same amount of pressure to clamp them home so am wondering if these can/need adjusting or of there are any other tweaks you guys have come across to enable the hardtop to sit securely, snugly and as squeak and rattle free as possible.

Murray
Brisbane

Hi Murray,

When I fitted my hardtop last year it did take several days for the squeaks to settle down and every time I adjusted it, it would again take several days to settle down, just bedding itself in I guess.

Did you check the condition of the rubber on the hardtop before fitting?

Ooo just seen your message, reply coming your way

Must admit that I did not check the condition of the rubbers before I fitted it this year. Am going to lift it off again on Monday when I take it in to the office. (Get one of the lads off the factory floor to help) Will check the rubbers and if OK refit and adjust the securing clamps.....

Cheers - Murray

Don't know how long you are considering keeping the hard top on, but I removed my soft top last year. I couldn't see the point of driving around with all that useless weight and it did make the inside of the cabin feel enormous, plus you get a large rear shelf to put flowers for the wife

Whilst it was off I also gave the soft top a good clean and some TLC.

The rubber, as you are aware, will deteriorate with time and so a quick once over is a good idea. It's quite surprising just how different the car feels with the hard top on.