Leaky t-top fix
10-07-2006, 11:29 AM
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Leaky t-top fix I have seen a lot of people with leaking t-tops including several of my friends. I noticed 90% of them had the same problem so I would like to share my findings with everyone. If this has been posted before, I applogized but I didn't find this fix with a search.
OK here it goes:
Centered in the following pictures, there is a flap on the door openening weatherstrip and if you look closely there is also a small drain hole at the lowest part of the weatherstrip inside the flaps. These pictures show the 2 areas most affected:
When you put on the tops, the flaps centered in the above pictures have a tendency to get folded up like this:
This blocks the drain hole and is more than enough to create a bad water leak, almost enough to take a shower in
If you pay attention when you put your tops on and make sure these flaps are not folded up it should like like this:
Notice the flap fits flush over the t-top weatherstrip and will seal out the water.
On rare occasions the flap has been folded up long enough that if you try this fix it, it is too deformed to reseal. In that case you will need a new weatherstrips. If you do need a weatherstrips you will need to buy BOTH the door opening AND the t-top strips. If you don't the weatherstrips will not conform to each other, trust me. If you still have a leak after this fix, then your door glass will have to be adjusted. That is more complicated and there isn't enough room to post on how to do that but most competent glass shops or dealerships could do that but the price will vary.
Hopefully this will help many people out there with the annoying t-top leak syndrome.
OK here it goes:
Centered in the following pictures, there is a flap on the door openening weatherstrip and if you look closely there is also a small drain hole at the lowest part of the weatherstrip inside the flaps. These pictures show the 2 areas most affected:
When you put on the tops, the flaps centered in the above pictures have a tendency to get folded up like this:
This blocks the drain hole and is more than enough to create a bad water leak, almost enough to take a shower in
If you pay attention when you put your tops on and make sure these flaps are not folded up it should like like this:
Notice the flap fits flush over the t-top weatherstrip and will seal out the water.
On rare occasions the flap has been folded up long enough that if you try this fix it, it is too deformed to reseal. In that case you will need a new weatherstrips. If you do need a weatherstrips you will need to buy BOTH the door opening AND the t-top strips. If you don't the weatherstrips will not conform to each other, trust me. If you still have a leak after this fix, then your door glass will have to be adjusted. That is more complicated and there isn't enough room to post on how to do that but most competent glass shops or dealerships could do that but the price will vary.
Hopefully this will help many people out there with the annoying t-top leak syndrome.
Last edited by Tall Guy; 10-10-2006 at 04:49 PM.
10-07-2006, 11:34 AM
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my passenger side did this for a while and i came to the same conclusion you did... unfortunately mine was a little deformed and i kinda had to force it into place and leav eit like that for a while... i took them off last night for first time in 6 months and it seems they are conforming again.
10-17-2006, 12:13 AM
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I appreciate that post Tall Guy. Houston raining like a !#$!@# for the last two days had me driving through traffic wanting to immitate the tune "I'm singing in the rain!". It was a constant drip for the 25 mile drive to work and when I got out, you'd swear I pissed like a race horse all over myself! Anybody have an idea how much for these weatherstrippings?
10-17-2006, 12:34 AM
#5
Originally Posted by Grimlock1968
I appreciate that post Tall Guy. Houston raining like a !#$!@# for the last two days had me driving through traffic wanting to immitate the tune "I'm singing in the rain!".
. grab some towels for wed....
10-17-2006, 02:33 PM
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Trunk leaks are usually the weather strip around the hatch is collapsed or torn. If the car was hit and the quarter replaced then there could be a leak in a weld seam some where. Trunk leaks are a little harder to track down. 
BTW, z-28_n_tx nice avatar.
BTW, z-28_n_tx nice avatar.
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10-17-2006, 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Grimlock1968
Anybody have an idea how much for these weatherstrippings?
.
10-17-2006, 03:48 PM
#9
Originally Posted by Tall Guy
Trunk leaks are usually the weather strip around the hatch is collapsed or torn. If the car was hit and the quarter replaced then there could be a leak in a weld seam some where. Trunk leaks are a little harder to track down.
BTW, z-28_n_tx nice avatar.
BTW, z-28_n_tx nice avatar.
ive had the car for 2 yrs now, this is the first time the trunk leaks....i took a water hose and sprayed it down but i cant find any leaks.
07-16-2008, 11:47 PM
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Its like....
Lets play: Find Waldo....
Just look closely....
