Howdy folks

I have a rattle coming from inside my rear passenger, driver side wall (among other places). (i think it might be the driver's seatbelt unit, or something near that) I've removed most of the lining for the top (convertible, remember), and found and fixed some rattles up there already. I plan on attacking the wall problem this weekend.

I can't seem to find any info on disassembling the side in a convertible. Any help out there, or am i on my own? anyone done this yet for rattles, or other reasons? any problems i can expect to run into, any advice to be heeded? I can't be the first to do this.... i hope....

On a related note, i have removed all the cosmetic plastic from the convertible roof, in an effort to find rattles. It looks cool without it, so i moved on to remove the fabric that keeps your hair out of the Z mechanism. Unfortunately, per side, there are 4 rivets that hold the fabric in! i was all set to drill them out when i discovered that two of the four rivets hold in a very important looking tense piece of cloth.
how are professionals supposed to work on this?! Do they just junk the top if there is anything wrong with it and start from scratch?

I would be happy to trade rattle info/pics with anyone who needs help/can offer help. I've actually resorted to driving around with passengers in the back hunting rattles, and actually *gasp* let other people drive my car so i could be back there searching.

here's to a dedicated section for rattles on NAM, and a rattle-free mini!

P.S. I don't have HK system.

--Eric

 

Well, there is your problem right there. I just turn up the radio if and when I hear rattles. But on a personal note, I would almost be dissapointed if I didn't hear one now and than. To me that's just an appeal of the rag top.

 

I did read an account somewhere on NAM about someone with a broken-out rear window. The story was that MINI was going to have to replace the entire top, there was no way to replace just the glass. It was only a $3000 part so no big deal.

 

My rattles are more than occasional. they are BAD and there are many different ones. they must be dealt with, and i consulted with my dealer, who was very nice, and said they would look at the car. I asked if there were any bulletins about rattles in the top, and they didn't have any

which means they don't get to touch the car. As far as i'm concerned, unless mini has figured out a common problem, and provices a detailed method of repair to the workers, i'm just as qualified to repair as they are.

so i'm going into the walls this weekend. Anone who can help me do it efficiently, without rediscovering what people probably already have, would be my hero.

anyone who has rattle problems, let me know, we can see if my previous experience can at least assist you.

sidenote: when i was talking about rattles to the dealer, he told me about how they have the ability to change how far up the windows go, to assist in preventing leaks. Anyone know how this adjustment is performed? is there a roller switch that gets moved, or what?

i guess i'll find all this out this weekend, if i can get things open.