Leaning hardtop rear window

RyanMkTJ

RyanMkTJ

Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2020
Messages
67
Location
Oregon
Hey all,
I know the hardtop rear window leak is fairly common. I have replaced all the seals back there and have tightened the read window bolts. The seal between my rear window and weather stripping just isn’t tight enough. I’ve read about people weather stripping the rear window. Wondering what has worked for people?

4F7A2F9A-D2CD-41C8-90CB-2E7FEFC6F72A.jpeg


58CC2DB0-70FF-418B-BC48-D41F4ABC2F07.jpeg
 
Check the hinges to see if they are bent. Mine were, so I replaced them which pushed the window down onto the seal with more pressure.
 
Rich1961 said:
Check the hinges to see if they are bent. Mine were, so I replaced them which pushed the window down onto the seal with more pressure.
Click to expand...
Were your hinges visibly bent or how did you detect you needed new ones? Mine appear fine but that doesn’t mean they are.
 
RyanMkTJ said:
Were your hinges visibly bent or how did you detect you needed new ones? Mine appear fine but that doesn’t mean they are.
Click to expand...
Yes mine were visibly bent. Take a piece of paper and with the rear glass open, place the paper at the middle of the glass where it closes against the seal and close the glass. There should be some pretty good friction when you try to pull the paper out. Mine had very little as I pulled the paper out. After replacing the hinges the paper was difficult to pull out as much more pressure was being applied to the seal.
 
Mine definitely failed the paper test. I’m going to order some new hinges. I also weather stripped my rear glass with some black 1/4 frost king weather stripping. That stopped the leak and almost looks factory.
 
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RyanMkTJ said:
Mine definitely failed the paper test. I’m going to order some new hinges. I also weather stripped my rear glass with some black 1/4 frost king weather stripping. That stopped the leak and almost looks factory.
Click to expand...

Reviving this due to twice the normal rainfall in SoCal.

Did you use a flat profile on the window side? Have a link? I found an endless supply of choices, so just trying to do what worked for you.

1/4 tall - or wide?

Thx!
 
THunter said:
Reviving this due to twice the normal rainfall in SoCal.

Did you use a flat profile on the window side? Have a link? I found an endless supply of choices, so just trying to do what worked for you.

1/4 tall - or wide?

Thx!
Click to expand...

I didn’t end up ordering new hinges, the weather stripping did the job. Here’s the link to what I used, or at least the identical design. Not sure if this is the same width as I used, they have multiple widths. This says it’s 9/16 and I believe mine was 1/4 inch but this gives you an idea. Also this says it’s white and I used black.
https://www.farmstore.com/product/f...Cs9CmpqjBnt1HmLUnj4vfk83npYHhkY0aAvPYEALw_wcB
 
RyanMkTJ said:
I didn’t end up ordering new hinges, the weather stripping did the job. Here’s the link to what I used, or at least the identical design. Not sure if this is the same width as I used, they have multiple widths. This says it’s 9/16 and I believe mine was 1/4 inch but this gives you an idea. Also this says it’s white and I used black.
https://www.farmstore.com/product/f...Cs9CmpqjBnt1HmLUnj4vfk83npYHhkY0aAvPYEALw_wcB
Click to expand...

Really appreciate the quick response. I had to empty out the back of the TJ and prop the carpet up so it would dry. Thx!

This looks like it. Ordering. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0741RL22D/?tag=wranglerorg-20
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Lsunk1 said:
Another thing to try is to tighten the actual hinge bolts. That solved my leaking rear window issues
Click to expand...

Will do! I ckecked em a while back but will again. Just not used to over double our normal rainfall. 😎

Thx👍
 
Reporting back. The rear window bolts were pretty tight. I got about 1/4 turn out of each one. I installed the recommended rubber seal on the window side. Broke out the hose and it seems successful. More rain next week so we’ll see. Thx for the help!

7FA704AA-1639-4D7C-B53B-9A042B3CA67B.jpeg
 
RyanMkTJ said:
I didn’t end up ordering new hinges, the weather stripping did the job. Here’s the link to what I used, or at least the identical design. Not sure if this is the same width as I used, they have multiple widths. This says it’s 9/16 and I believe mine was 1/4 inch but this gives you an idea. Also this says it’s white and I used black.
https://www.farmstore.com/product/f...Cs9CmpqjBnt1HmLUnj4vfk83npYHhkY0aAvPYEALw_wcB
Click to expand...

Reporting back. The installed seal did the trick. Heavy rain last week and no water intrusion. Thanks again!
 
I am in SoCal and made the mistake of backing my jeep up the driveway. The rain hit hard and I noticed the area near the tailgate wet. However, I didn't notice that the water travelled along the rear floor and into the rear footwells. After a few days I was wondering why my interior had a smell like cat piss. Checked the rear footwells and found the problem. I should have just left the softop on it. Ugghhh. I hate leaks!!!!!
 
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