Convertible Top Leaking

F

familyman

Member

May 19, 2015

57

1

8

Apr 3, 2016

#1

• Apr 3, 2016

• #1

I have a '99 GT Convertible that is not my daily driver and I avoid driving it in the rain. However, I have been out of town twice when a torrential rain hit. In both cases I ended up with significant water behind the back seat in the vinyl boot. One thing I have noticed is that the top around the exterior of the rear window is not sealed to the glass except along the bottom. In other words, the top and the sides are not sealed to the glass. Could that be where the water is getting in?

 

S

Special20

Member

Apr 23, 2015

28

2

13

Apr 6, 2016

#2

• Apr 6, 2016

• #2

These cars have a 2 piece top. The rear curtain, which includes the window, and the top. They are not sealed together but both are pulled tight and stapled on the bottom tack strip. A common problem are wear holes on each side below the rear window. Water leaks in and collects in the rear well. Chances are you will not be able to see them. Mine does the same and I keep a towel in the well to absorb any water that leaks in. The only true fix is a new top and curtain. Search you tube and you will see what I am trying to say. Hope this helps.

 

mransr

Founding Member

Nov 3, 2000

1,188

36

98

Riverside, SoCal

Apr 8, 2016

#3

• Apr 8, 2016

• #3

Agree, the bottom corners of the window are almost always the source of the leaks. If you feel around with your finger tips you can locate the problem spots. Some silicon sealant can help, but the only real fix is to replace the window.

 

84Ttop

They make new pistons every day, so why worry?

5 Year Member

Jul 2, 2009

5,222

3,254

204

South Jersey

Apr 8, 2016

#4

• Apr 8, 2016

• #4

If the top in general is in good condition it is possible to replace only the rear curtain. If your top is original I would recommend replacing the entire top as it's past its useful life at this point

 

F

familyman

Member

May 19, 2015

57

1

8

Apr 10, 2016

#5

• Apr 10, 2016

• #5

I bought this car about a year ago and the previous owner said the top was 2 years old so it shouldn't need replacing. The top only has about 20k miles on it.

 

S

Shellbell1

New Member

Jun 29, 2020

2

0

1

Ohio

Jun 29, 2020

#6

• Jun 29, 2020

• #6

I saw this is a pretty old thread but I had the same issue on my 2003 gt, after paying $1500 for a new top it had the same leak- mine was the seal that goes under the top on the back of the car where it bolts on...$36 and someone mechanically inclined fixed it.My top was original but could have went for a few more years, the Ford part number is F4ZZ-76546A02-A.My car leaked into the vinyl reservoir behind the seats and into the floorboard, the seal was dry rotted on both sides and absorbing water.Hope this helps someone else, wish I would have seen it before I paid for a top I didn’t need.

 

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