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Water Entry at A-Pillar

WATER ENTRY AT A-PILLAR




Leak in area of A-pillar can be recognized by water exiting at the weatherstrip seams or moldings, or at the side of the A-pillar weatherstrip (arrows, Figure 13).

Possible cause 1




End of weatherstrip at A-pillar is wavy (arrow, Figure 14).

Possible cause 2




Web of weatherstrip is pinched under cover (4) (arrow, Figure 15).

Possible cause 3




Water drain of weatherstrip is routed poorly (arrow, Figure 16).

Possible cause 4




Leak at weatherstrip on top end of A-pillar and rail (arrows, Figure 17).

Possible cause 5




Leak at rail and A-pillar (arrows, Figure 18).

Possible cause 6




Leak at rail on crossmember above windshield (arrows, Figure 19).

NOTE!
The repair procedures are listed according to the possible causes. To avoid unnecessary resealing work, perform water leak test after each repair procedure.

Repair procedure for cause 1




1. Shim end piece of weatherstrip at A.pillar with sealing cord, part no. 140 989 00 98, to obtain a smooth sealing surface (arrow, Figure 20).

Repair procedure for cause 2




1. Remove cover (4, Figure 21).
2. Correct position of weatherstrip.
3. Reinstall cover (4).

NOTE!
Web of weatherstrip must be outside of cover (4) (arrows, Figure 21).

Repair procedure for cause 3




1. Remove cover (4, Figure 22) and retainer (5).
2. Correct routing of weatherstrip drain (arrow).
3. Reinstall retainer (5) and cover (4).

Repair procedure for causes 4 and 5

1. Remove molding on A-pillar.

NOTE!
Unclip molding at A-pillar only. and lay it down on windshield at an angle towards inside (place molding on a rag to prevent scratching the glass).




2. Install sealing cord (6, Figure 23), part no. 140 989 00 98, to end of rail (7) at top.




3. Seal rail (7, Figure 24) at A-pillar with MB Universal Sealant. part no. 003 989 01 71 (arrow).
4. Moisten plastic wedge with rubber installation fluid, part no. 000 989 03 67, and smoothen sealant towards rail.

NOTE!
Do not block Water drain openings.

5. Reinstall molding on A-pillar.

NOTE!
If water leak test fails, reseal rail at cross member above windshield (see repair procedure for cause 6).

Repair procedure for cause 6

1. Remove molding on A-pillar.

NOTE!
Unclip molding on A-pillar only, and lay it down on windshield at an angle towards inside (place molding on a rag to prevent scratching the glass).

2. Remove molding above windshield (see SMS, Job no. 68-410).




3. Remove screw from rail (7, Figure 25).
4. Lift rail (7) with plastic wedge (9).
5. Seal rail (7) at crossmember with MB Universal Sealant, part no. 003 989 01 71 (arrows).
6. Reinstall screw in rail (7).
7. Reinstall molding above windshield.
8. Reinstall molding on A-pillar.




Parts Information




In Case Of Warranty