Water Entry at Hardtop

WATER ENTRY AT HARDTOP




Leakage at hardtop in front corner area can be recognized by a moist headliner or by water exiting at the side weatherstrip in the front corner area of the hardtop (arrows, Figure 1).

Possible cause 1




Insufficient quantity of sealing compound between weatherstrip and hardtop in corner area (arrows, Figure 2).

Possible cause 2




Insufficient quantity of sealing compound between rail and hardtop at side (arrows, Figure 3).

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. Check gap (A, Figure 4) between hardtop and windshield molding in area of latch pin, correct if necessary (see SMS, Job no. 77-420).




2. Check distance (B, Figure 5) between rail on A-Pillar and rail on side of hardtop; correct rail on hardtop, if necessary.
3. Check transition at weatherstrips in area of joint between A-pillar and hardtop.

NOTE!



The lip on the weatherstrip at the A-pillar should extend 1 mm over the seal on the hardtop. When closing the window, the joint should be sealed by the lip. Correct weatherstrips if required (arrows, Figure 6).

4. Raise the unlocked hardtop and support it with an approximately 300 mm thick suitable object on the crossmember above the windshield.




5. Remove screw (1, Figure 7) from hardtop
6. Position plastic wedge (3, Figure 7) below rail (2).
7. Pull out weatherstrip at corner of hardtop.




8. Squeeze sealing compound, part no. 001 989 59 85, between weatherstrip and hardtop (arrows, Figure 8).
9. Reinstall weatherstrip and fasten rail.
10. Close and latch hardtop, and remove any sealing compound oozing out with naphtha.

NOTE!
If water leak test fails, reseal rail at side of hardtop (see repair procedure for cause 2).

Repair procedure for cause 2

1. Raise the unlocked hardtop and support it with suitable object on the crossmember above the windshield.




2. Pull weatherstrip out of rail at top side of hardtop (arrow, Figure 9).
3. Remove (three) screws from rail.




4. Position plastic wedge between rail and hardtop (arrow, Figure 10).

5. Remove sealing compound from rail and hardtop with naphtha.




6. Apply sealing compound, part. no. 001 989 59 85, to rail (arrows, Figure 11).
7. Reinstall rail.
8. Install left and right ends of weatherstrip approximately 5 cm each into rail.
9. Close and latch hardtop.
10. Moisten weatherstrip with rubber installation fluid, part no. 000 989 OS 67, and install it completely into rail.
11. Wipe any sealing compound oozing out.
12. Unlatch hardtop.
13. Slightly pull out weatherstrip in corner area of hardtop.




14. Squeeze sealing compound. part no. 001 989 59 85, between weatherstrip and hardtop (arrows, Figure 12).
15. Reinstall weatherstrip, close and latch hardtop.
16. Wipe any sealing compound oozing out.




Parts Information