New t bar seals......still leaking

[big_joe]

Ok I'm at my wits end. After shelling out an extortionate sum a few weeks ago for all new tbar seals from the states, I got round to fitting them yesterday. Woke up this morning to give it a hose pipe test and........still bloody leaking! Anyone have any tips? Do I need to use a xxxx load of sealant too? It's leaking from the standard points (corners above seatbelt and front joint). Seriously fed up with it!

[4ndee]

i was like you, i didnt buy new seals but did the silicone trick and still no drips

[jasongtr]

do the new seals come with the part for the actual glass panels

[Peter Gidden]

do the new seals come with the part for the actual glass panels

Separate parts.

[jasongtr]

most likely where the problem is then unless the OP bought them too

[big_joe]

Did the whole lot, car seals and panel seals. Going to have a mess about with it tomorrow so would be grateful for any tips

[jasongtr]

they certainly need sealing to the car, whenever ive removed them theres lots of non setting sealant

also id remove the internal trims and get someone else to hose the car whilst you are inside, should be easy enough to trace if its coming from the car to rubber part or the rubber to glass panel part

[big_joe]

They have sealant pre applied and I also added some here and there but didn't want to go too mad with it. Ill be dammed if I just spent all that money on new seals just to add silicone in the same place as done on the cheap fix!

[jasongtr]

i didnt mean sealant ontop thats visable, i meant between the seal and the car bodywork, the reason for new seals is because the rubber loses its elasticity or bounce so hardens over time.

another solution is buy a proper mr2 with a tintop

[big_joe]

I know what you meant. Wish I had got a bloody tin top now!

[jasongtr]

well they do look better, have a stiffer chassis, dont leak

but in the 4 days of summer the t bar is nice

[big_joe]

It will soon dry out when I end up torching the blooming thing

[jasongtr]

you could take the carpet out and drill a hole in the floor for the water to drain out

[big_joe]

Carpets are out hung up in the garage to dry

[hmltnangel]

couldnt it be the tbar rod guides that are worn as well and not allowing the tbar panels to be pulled in tight?



Looking at Toyodiy there are two different versions of the guides. One version looks like it would hold the panel tighter?

[big_joe]

Hmmm. I don't think so. With the new seals fitted the roof panels are real tight, needing a solid push down to fit, and the locking handles are tighter to turn. I guess due to the thicker, plumper new rubber. I'm confident they are being pulled in tight enough

[Ryan S]

Maybe your windows need adjusted? They adjust inwards too. Towards the seal.

[planted1]

Could be the drain tubes are blocked.

[big_joe]

Been messing about with it all day, not got anywhere. Had to take a break before I end up breaking something. Never thought of drain tubes, what's the best way to unclog them if required?

[Rosssco]

Have you got the eccentric rod guides? Cheap and available from Toyota.