When lowering the top on my 2005 roadster, I hear a loud "thump" when the tonneau unlocks, as though a collegiate dictionary were dropped on the tonneau from a height of three feet. The lowering continues successfully, and the top raises without issue. Is this normal?
I should mention that the top has been operated only a few times in the past 6 months because I had trouble opening the deck lid and the partition was not in place. I suspect that the tonneau seal may have become glued in place, and a bit of silicon lube may eliminate the "thump", but I'm a relatively new XFire owner, and want to hear from more experienced owners who may know what causes the noise. I'd be grateful for any comments.

 

The release of the bow latch IS noisy. The sound of the lid unlatching is noticeable, but not all that loud.

Maybe some lubrication is in order.

 

This morning I had someone sit in the car and lower the top wile I stood outside to observe. The sound is very different outside the car, with a significant metallic sound. I applied a thin film of lithium grease to the latch fittings on the top and the tonneau. The noise is much quieter now, and sounds more like what I hear when I depress the slide release on my 1911. I'm not worried about the noise now that I know what it is. Thanks for your help.

 

I grease them with white lithium yearly.