Nobody services T-Tops!

[J8127]

My drivers side T-Top leaks right unto my damn leg (and I live in the pacific northwest..FML). I have called around dealerships, auto glass centers, everywhere, NOBODY services T-Tops. What can I do?

[5POINT7]

Did you check the weatherstripping? If its not that, I would buy another t-top.

[J8127]

I can't tell for sure, but the leak comes from where the weatherstripping of the t-top meets the weather stripping of the windshield, the driver's side "corner" right by where the hole for the t-top stake.

[CamaroGirl]

ah, that notorious corner....
yea i think i even tried fixing that with silicone and plastic wrap...no go.

[J8127]

How hard is replacing the weatherstripping myself? Off with the old on with the new or is it more involved? Anything else to try first?

[Joker Z28]

subscribing

[5POINT7]

This might help with your problem.


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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.

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.

[5POINT7]

I read that if you rub vasoline on the weatherstripping, It supposedly remoisturizes it and makes it seal better.

Is your window rolling all the way up? or maybe weatherstripping is worn.

Those are the only things I can think of that would be the problem. Try the above and see if anything works.

[SWells]

Used this trick on a non F-body and it worked for me. Have you ever replaced the screen in a screen door? Remember the 1/4" foam strip that is used to jam the screen in the groove. Take a piece of that and stick it into the folds (probably under or behind the existing rubber) of the seal to "fatten" up the existing rubber and increase the sealing pressure. Hopefully that makes sense???

[Sempire]

Go to your local auto store and pick up a can of Jigaloo. I use this on the weatherstripping on all my cars. It's a silicone lube that helps to re-moisture the rubber, and keep it doing it's job. You can check it out more here http://www.jigaloo.com