Windshield Rattles

I have taken the soft top off my Jeep and it will probably stay that way as long as I own it. I love the open air feeling but now the windshield rattles. The latches don't latch it tight. The base gasket seems to be in good condition so I don't know if that would do me any good to replace. Some temporary shims have helped and I can see where solid plates in place of the latches would solve the problem but then I lose the convenience of being able to quickly fold down the windshield. Anyone else experience this and what did you do to fix it?

 

The latches are somewhat adjustable, but I've always found them to be a few steps above worthless. Even adjusted properly, one good bump and they loosen or unhook themselves.

I've always had full cages in mine, and I always run a little cam strap around the front bar to the windshield when topless. Otherwise, a bikini top holds it tight.

 

Mine is held up with a bungee cord and probably rust "welded" also. No rattles

 

Like my fellow insomniac Ryan said, the latches are adjustable...assuming you have the correct '67 latches. Loosen the bottom two screws on the dash and you will find there are serrations or notches where you can move them up and down. That being said, sometimes the cam/locking action of the latches isn't the best with age. A new replacement set may help if adjustment doesn't.

Also, a new cowl seal will likely be more pliable rubber, might help it cinch down more snug.

 

I'm "working"

 

There should be little catches that hold the lower hook from moving. I've never had a problem on my flattys. Does AA still make the knob style for the ECJ5s?

 

I had the same problem, my latches would not go tight enough to steady my windshield. After I finished the restoration and Jeep my looked new, my windshield still rattled. I finally bought a new gasket and ,Wow, what a difference. Problem solved, I had to readjust up the latches to even get them to latch, and now everything is quiet as a new Jeep. I have my latches set a little tight, I grad the windshield by the top and pull back on it to latch them but it is nice and quiet now. The gasket that you get is not perfect, but you can make it work, mine did, and they aren't expensive, so to speak. Good Luck

 

Thanks to all of you for your input on this. I now can confirm that I am missing the serrated portion of the latch assembly on my dash board and the ability to get an adjustment that will stay put. The PO made a custom stainless steel overlay for the original dashboard that I am assuming is pretty well cut up now. Part of my wish list is to find a good stock dashboard to return it to the original look, then I can address the stock latch issues and add a new cowl seal. In the meantime I think I will fabricate a set of plates that will do the job in the interim.

 

here's whats missing

 

I had the same problem, this is my solution.

 

We always had a bungee cord from the roll bar to the top of the windshield to keep it still. I do have the two serrated parts that Ron pictured above cut from an old dash that I could put in an envelope and send west if it would help any...

 

I have way too much gray hair to be a boy...

 

A new cowl seal fixed mine. Like Rick mentioned in his post, I had to adjust the latch plates with the new seal. Nice and right now.

 

I cut a wedge shaped piece of oak as long and wide as the top of the cowl with holes for the defroster and set it in the cowl before flipping the window up.