Bon

I've had a squeak, for lack of a better word, in the back seat near or rear window. I couldn't tell if it was the rear seat back or something else. I've had a heck of a time locating it but I just confirmed my fix tonight so I thought I'd pass it along as it may help others:

I began lowering the roof and stopped the process by turning off the ignition while the roof was just setting down in the trunk. This leaves the raised covers pointing up vertically to let the roof pass. (When the roof is up these covers form the rear "package shelf".) In the center of the car just under this cover there is a round black rubber bumper stop the size of a 50 cent piece (whatever those are). This stop is adjustable up-and-down. Rotating it counterclockwise raises the stop and clockwise lowers it. I raised my rubber stop, by hand, a couple of turns upward.

That's all. The squeak is gone. This bumper apparently helps to bind the package shelf to the roof when it is up and stops if from moving around - and squeaking. I don't know the Lexus method for adjusting this bumper stop but a turn or two made a wonderful difference in my mood today.

Habious

I'm gonna have to try this!!

Thanks for the tip!

Yes

doesn't it cause problems if you cut the ignition while lowering the top? i read where someone did this and couldn't get it to latch after that.

talwang

iTrader: (4)

That's a good find, Bon.
You are one of the few sc430 members here that can still teach me a new thing about this car.

You can just let go of the open/close switch without turning off the ignition.

jimmer!

I'll try this, but won't cut the ignition.
we'll see if simply stopping the lowering process
by removing the finger from the switch will do it.
sounds promising, though.
we all have the same 'squeaking' sounds.
thanks.

talwang

iTrader: (4)

Here is a pic of that rubber cushion for the visual learners.

Turning clockwise to lower it or turning counter-clockwise to raise it

jimmer!

I did it.
when the top was lowered the panel seated firmly.
we'll see how it works once I raise the roof again.
the weather is too nice right now.
thanks again.

Options2k

Thanks Bon for the tip and Talwang for the picture. I did it....and the annoying noise that was bugging me for the last four months (since purchase), disappeared . Now I can enjoy the quiet ride

Cheers.

texsexlex

iTrader: (3)

...way to go !!!...I've been listening to that squeak off/on for the last year myself. I'm about to tackle the brakes this afternoon,so will see if I have some success with this also !!!

jimmer!

went to the store the other day and raised the top
for the trunk space.

after previously adjusting the rubber cushion -- not a rattle all the way home.
excellent and long awaited fix to something that bedevils most
430 owners.
kudos to bon!

btw: yes, there are sticky threads for categorical 430 tips, but wonder if
we should be compiling a thread for misc. winning obscure tips like this?
anyone interested? if so, how do we go about doing it?
I'll start the campaign and elect this rubber cushion tip, as well as the recent 'ECU reset' process
as some of the best of the best.

TooCoolSC

So to all those that have tried this, has anyone corrected the problem by lowering the stop, or is everyone raising it? Is everyone finding just a couple of turns does the trick?

ballpaulmo

That's great, I will try this.
Thanks Bon.

jimmer!

I raised mine about 1 full turn.
the bonnet lowered with a nice firm fit.

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

This noise has been bothering me ever since I bought the car, thank you so much for posting this, I will adjust mine as soon as I get a chance, I am so excited about this. This noise is like the only thing I don't like about this car!

Bon

Awesome, I'm so glad that my little contribution is working out. I've been helped so much by y'all here at CL that I'm really glad to have contributed something back.