Hard Top Front Seal.

[milothedog]

Got the car out yesterday, first time since I fitted the Hard Top. In the bright sunshine I noticed I could see daylight from the inside (not good in the rain) Its an area of about 2" either side of the T bar where the screen capping drops down a little.

It looks like it has a newish seal on it so it could be that being an after market one it's not suppple enough to deform properly, anyone had this.

I've ordered new catch plates to try and pull it down more but I'm not sure that that's the problem as I have no issues with the Soft top.

It has a good 1/2" gap at the front in places but is closer on the corners, can they go out of shape!

The only issue is these two bit's either side of the T bar, I think the rest of it will keep the weather out. I have a plan B (I have bought some 10mm x 4mm self adhesive rubber strip from e- bay) the idea being to stick a couple of bits to the front seal, making it match the profile of the screen capping but would like to know if anybody else has or had this problem and what have you done to fix it. If any one has got any pictures of the front gap on theirs for me to compare that would be handy as well.

No Snow here yet but it's bl**dy cold:shock:


Ian.

[jleyton]

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Hi Ian,

Glad to hear the hardtop's all together and on and now it's just the little niggles to sort out I'm still sorting out niggles on mine but my hardtop was ready 6 months ago :? (My excuse is that I haven't had it fitted all summer - I know, I know - I should have used the summer to get it ready for the winter but I had far too many other jobs to do:shock

I've got a very similar problem to you but, in my case, it's at the rear. We spoke about it at the NEC and I took your advice but I've still got some small gaps there. Anyway, I rather suspect that the cause of my problem could be the same as yours - seals that are too hard.

Here's a thread where this was all discussed earlier this year: http://stagownersclub.mywowbb.com/forum1/7297.html

Have you got the earlier stitched type of seal? I'd bet not.

I've also used that self adhesive foam in one or two places when all else failed and I've found it very effective.

So, don't know if all this has been any help but good luck with it

Cheers

Julian

[martin]

imported post

Hi Ian, I haven't got this problem, luckily a new front/side seal sorted me out, but it strikes me that the hard top may distort slightly over the years, in and out of storage etc, and it does need a precision fit to be weather tight, I think your idea of adding a sealing medium is probably the best solution. Have you thought of using a bead of clear silicone to make up the difference? it would be virtually invisible and last forever. Martin.

[Bob Heritage]

imported post

milothedog wrote:

Got the car out yesterday, first time since I fitted the Hard Top. In the bright sunshine I noticed I could see daylight from the inside (not good in the rain) Its an area of about 2" either side of the T bar where the screen capping drops down a little.

Hi Ian, Is it worth trying to rebed the capping and tightening it accordingly so that the capping is straight?

Bob

[milothedog]

imported post

Cheers Julian,

The old thread about seals and the thing with the masking tape is worth trying, I need to have a good look at the seal profile to see what I have fitted (it's not a soft one for sure) and find out what sort of gap others have.

Thanks for the info and there is always plan B with the rubber strip I've ordered. It would appear it's not the first time it's been done.

Ian.

[milothedog]

imported post

Bob Heritage wrote:

milothedog wrote:

Got the car out yesterday, first time since I fitted the Hard Top. In the bright sunshine I noticed I could see daylight from the inside (not good in the rain) Its an area of about 2" either side of the T bar where the screen capping drops down a little.

 

Hi Ian, Is it worth trying to rebed the capping and tightening it accordingly so that the capping is straight?

Bob

Thank's Bob, I think the problem is the type of seal it has fitted not being soft enough.

Ian.

[milothedog]

imported post

martin wrote:

Hi Ian, I haven't got this problem, luckily a new front/side seal sorted me out, but it strikes me that the hard top may distort slightly over the years, in and out of storage etc, and it does need a precision fit to be weather tight, I think your idea of adding a sealing medium is probably the best solution. Have you thought of using a bead of clear silicone to make up the difference? it would be virtually invisible and last forever. Martin.

Hi Martin, my idea with the rubber strip is similar and hopefully will increase the seal profile. It's worth a try as it's only £4 with postage for 5m.

Ian.