When it rains...it pours
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
When it rains...it pours
in my car. I haven't drove the 86 in rain in years. Got out in a steady rain a few days ago and there was a continious/steady drip right above the front door speakers on both sides. The weatherstipping is not in real bad shape. The targa top was on tight and the windows all the way up. I will need to investigate further as to where the leaks orginate, but wondering if there is a product I can use rather than replacing the WS?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,153
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Mine leaks in the same spots. Expect some leakage next at where the B-pillar meets the targa/window.
You can try the silicone grease, but I didnt have much luck with it. That really needs to be put on them from day one, once its dried out it may be of only little help.
And if you replace any strip, better replace it all. Don't do the A without doing the strip along the targa, because you'll see then how much its shriveled up over the years. I shouldve done the targa when I did the A.
You can try the silicone grease, but I didnt have much luck with it. That really needs to be put on them from day one, once its dried out it may be of only little help.
And if you replace any strip, better replace it all. Don't do the A without doing the strip along the targa, because you'll see then how much its shriveled up over the years. I shouldve done the targa when I did the A.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
I agree with you vader. The WS will need to be replaced in the next few years. I will most likely replace all of it when I do....might as well. I try keeping dielectric grease on it as well. I took a quick peek after the initial post and see where the leak might be coming from the metal frame on the outside of the windshield...there is a small crease. Need to start pouring water on these areas and see what happens.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
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My weatherstripping is not choice by any means. I always had a rather bad leak at the RF corner of the top during heavy rain and when going through drive through car washes. I just got used to throwing something over the front speaker on that side when doing the car-wash thing to prevent it's being drenched. 
A while back I developed a helluva rattle in the top and traced it down to one of the latching brackets coming loose in the body. While tightening up that hardware, I ended up adjusting all of them to perfection. Now it leaks nary a drop. 
A while back I developed a helluva rattle in the top and traced it down to one of the latching brackets coming loose in the body. While tightening up that hardware, I ended up adjusting all of them to perfection. Now it leaks nary a drop.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 1
From: Twinsburg OH
Mine leaked in the same spot after a windshield replacement. Ended up that they did not reinstall the metal strips that hold the weatherstripping right and it leaked between the glass and metal strip. Best weatherstripping in the world does no good if water just runs around whats holding it in place.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
Mine leaked in the same spot after a windshield replacement. Ended up that they did not reinstall the metal strips that hold the weatherstripping right and it leaked between the glass and metal strip. Best weatherstripping in the world does no good if water just runs around whats holding it in place.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Mine leaked pretty bad like that last year. Last Fall I put silicone grease on the weatherstripping and havent taken the top off since and it has not leaked. I think the heating and cooling process helped. It was covered in a 3 inch thick sheet of ice.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 322
Likes: 1
From: Muskego Wisconsin
My weatherstripping is not choice by any means. I always had a rather bad leak at the RF corner of the top during heavy rain and when going through drive through car washes. I just got used to throwing something over the front speaker on that side when doing the car-wash thing to prevent it's being drenched. A while back I developed a helluva rattle in the top and traced it down to one of the latching brackets coming loose in the body. While tightening up that hardware, I ended up adjusting all of them to perfection. Now it leaks nary a drop.
A while back I developed a helluva rattle in the top and traced it down to one of the latching brackets coming loose in the body. While tightening up that hardware, I ended up adjusting all of them to perfection. Now it leaks nary a drop. are you saying the bolt holes for the targa top are adjustable in the w/s frame and the also in the halo?
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Ashburn Virginia
I had similar leaking problem (amonst others). I adjusted the window forward and tighter and seems to work so far. Got rid of wind noise and 99% leaks, except portion at bottom back of glass. I just need to space WS for that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
To answer ineVETTable....yes, they are adjustable. To help RRT, before you replace them try this (learned from a auto glass guy) next time the top is off, and it's a nice day apply some regular vaseline to the weather stripping,let it sit in the sun, unlike silicone the vaseline causes the weather stripping to swell...worked for me.
