Author Topic: new soft top drumming  (Read 6990 times)

Witt

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new soft top drumming
« on: August 26, 2011, 00:55:14 »
.....can somebody please post a picture of the area where the soft top meets the top of the windshield......my st has a big bead going around that part and it is my beliefe that this is causing the anoing very loud drumming becoming unbearable from 50 mph on.
I really would like to know what the original st looked like.
I have spoken with my upholstery shop and we are attempting to have that bead removed and hopefully take care of that problem.

CHEERS !
WITT !

Benz Dr.

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Re: new soft top drumming
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2011, 01:58:41 »
Thanks for looking at that car for me. The owner thought it was worth a retail price before anything was done to fix it up. We passed on it.

My top is a rolled edge at the front and fairly smooth and level wityh the material behind it. Is the top making nise with the windows down or up? Most drum with the windows down and it's usually caused from a loose fit on the material.   
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

Larry & Norma

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Re: new soft top drumming
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2011, 07:42:29 »
Hi Witt,
You raised this subject once before and suggested the drumming was caused be turbulence from a raised front edge.
I too suffered from the drumming. I had recently put a new st on the car. So I then took the front edge apart
and pulled the front edge down as much as possible and re-glued it. Hey-presto! no more drumming :)
I did report back to you and you thanked me for doing the research but your car was put away for the winter
so could not try it yourself.
Remember?
Larry
Larry Hall (Gnuface)
2023 Ioniq6
2005 C230
1970 280SL

Witt

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Re: new soft top drumming
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2011, 18:56:05 »
Hey Larry, thanks it's all coming back to me now and I am going to follow my own advise......however my guy inspected the top and informed me that there was not enough material  to  remove the bead and pull the fabric over and under for a smooth finish......he sugested to pull the fabric forward, enough to have the bead sit in the grove between st and windshield frame out of the way simmilar to what Dan suggested. Thank's Dan.
Just wondering what the original st looked like as it came from the factory....

CHEERS !
WITT !

Witt

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Re: new soft top drumming
« Reply #4 on: August 31, 2011, 03:11:34 »
Hey Larry, thanks it's all coming back to me now and I am going to follow my own advise......however my guy inspected the top and informed me that there was not enough material  to  remove the bead and pull the fabric over and under for a smooth finish......he sugested to pull the fabric forward, enough to have the bead sit in the grove between st and windshield frame out of the way simmilar to what Dan suggested. Thank's Dan.
Just wondering what the original st looked like as it came from the factory....

CHEERS !
WITT !

........still hope to get a picture of what the original front of the top looked like.......I am glad that you decided against buying the car Dan, the pictures made the car half as bad as it really is...

CHEERS !
WITT !

Benz Dr.

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Re: new soft top drumming
« Reply #5 on: August 31, 2011, 22:50:49 »
........still hope to get a picture of what the original front of the top looked like.......I am glad that you decided against buying the car Dan, the pictures made the car half as bad as it really is...

CHEERS !
WITT !

Yeah, I was thinking maybe 7 - 8K and he was thinking 7 - 8 '' teen ''  K.  Not a great loss.......
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

Iconic

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Re: new soft top drumming
« Reply #6 on: September 01, 2011, 01:28:57 »
Witt,
Please tell me if these pictures are what you are looking for.
If you want some other shot, I will try to take it.
My top is original (at least claimed so by the original owner, and I, so far, have no reason to doubt it).
By the way, the washer towards the front looks a lot like the grill washers.
I hope the pictures help.
1970 280 SL Automatic, USA version, Grey-Blue (906G/906G), Blue leather (245)
1968 SS396 Camaro Convertible (owned since 1977 -- my first car :D)
1984 Porsche Euro Carrera coupe, LSD, SlateBlueMet/Blue
1998 BMW M-Rdstr Estoril Blue
1970 280 SL Automatic, Anthracite Grey-173G, Red Interior-132 - sold

Witt

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Re: new soft top drumming
« Reply #7 on: September 02, 2011, 00:32:20 »
Thank you very much for your help Mark. The trouble with my soft top is that it was installed with the front bead sticking up like a sore thumb. That causes the air turbulance and the drumming.
 I will have it rectified by having the s/t material pulled forward so that the bead will rest in the gap just over the windshield frame.

Thanks' again, I think I am on the right track now !

CHEERS !
WITT !

Witt

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Re: new soft top drumming
« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2011, 19:33:12 »
.......well, I finally practised what I was preaching.......I got the ST back from the shop, installed it over the weekend and everything is fine....no more druming.......thank's again for the pictures Mark, I took one of them to the shop and it was of great help.

CHEERS !
WITT ! 

Iconic

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Re: new soft top drumming
« Reply #9 on: September 29, 2011, 13:31:29 »
Your welcome.
I'm thrilled the pictures helped.
Congratulations, you must feel great.
"Enjoy the ride."  ;D
1970 280 SL Automatic, USA version, Grey-Blue (906G/906G), Blue leather (245)
1968 SS396 Camaro Convertible (owned since 1977 -- my first car :D)
1984 Porsche Euro Carrera coupe, LSD, SlateBlueMet/Blue
1998 BMW M-Rdstr Estoril Blue
1970 280 SL Automatic, Anthracite Grey-173G, Red Interior-132 - sold