Save the Manual Wagons!

Background: I need to fix the common problem of the soft top not being held down tight enough. On the highway, there is annoying wind noise from the gap between the windshield and the soft top. Physically holding the top down by hand cures this, confirming the problem.

I watched the excellent, as always, DIYGuys video:
But his fix seems janky. Is there a better solution? Replacing the strikers with hard-top strikers is suggested elsewhere. Someone mentioned an adjustment but I haven't bothered to dig into the manual for it yet:

JWN6264

Get some Shin-Etsu grease and apply liberally to the rubber around the soft top. Use your fingers (with some rubber gloves) and work it into the rubber. Wipe the excess off.

It may not cure the wind problem, but it should help.

Lukachs2ks

What I do is attach latches. After that I pull up e brake and press open top button for a second so it engages. It pulls on the top and claps it down. Works for me.

Save the Manual Wagons!

I bought some Shin-Etsu grease and plan to treat the weather stripping. But I don't see how that's going to help the top not latching tight enough...

I've read the trick about pressing the button to "open" the top after it's closed, but that's even more janky and not the solution I'm looking for.

My NB Miata had this problem except that it was MUCH worse. I could actually see daylight through the corners. The latches were totally worn out. I think they can be rebuilt, but I just bought new ones and it completely fixed the problem. But new S2000 latches are even more expensive, and mine don't feel worn out.

Mr.Matchbox

Thanks for the hint with the OEM Workshop manual. In a other S2000 forum in wich i was a member everybody told me that you can not adjust the tension of the top - the gap on the windshield, because the latches are not adjustabele. I told them that Honda described it as adjustable, but the forum Rule "The majority is right, even if they are wrong" applied.

Just read this Thread, flipped up my OEM workshop manual (Its Page 20-50 in my Bishko Copy) and i had my "Oh boy!" Moment. Short: You can adjust the tension, but not on the latches. Typicall great Honda enginerring.

Billman250

Part of my once over is modified latches.

It involves welding the inside of the hooks on the latches. On the latches, you will also see a little point sticking out. On the strikers, there is a pyramid shaped box. After welding the latches, the point is pulled tight into the box, resulting in a pressure fit. It is a 100% cure for any wind noise, and any single rattle that a hardtop can make.

You can experience this temporarily by fitting a piece of fuel hose over the hooks. If you are not opening and closing the top frequently, the hose will last many months.

Save the Manual Wagons!

Thanks Billman! Good info. P.S. - love the TCT I bought from you last year

Below is the adjustment suggested by Honda, page 20-49 in my factory service manual:

Mr.Matchbox

Would you like to share pictures to claryfi things?

Billman250

The adjustment in the manual does not address any gap between the top and the windshield. It has no effect on wind noise.

I dont have pictures, the parts are easy to spot.

Mr.Matchbox

Problem is that at some point picturers could be very helpfull for non-native english speakers.

EDIT: Spcifially the part about "Welding the hooks". Do you mean ADDING metall to the Hooks by welding? I have read your Description many times, i think now i have figured out what you mean, but i am still unsure.