Why are there no good threads about convertible tops and sealing?

GToddyT5

Founding Member

Jan 14, 2002

553

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16

Hamilton, NJ

Mar 21, 2007

#1

• Mar 21, 2007

• #1

I have a convertible top leak in multiple spots. It doesn't seal well near the back of the driver's side window and somewhere back near the rear glass. I get a decent amount of water in the basket behind the seat. I've done a lot of searching and can't find any good threads related to convertible leaks. I know there are a lot of you guys out there.

My top looks like it's in very good shape. I think the solution to my first leak is to realign the window, but the second one I'm not so sure. Where do these tops normally fail? Is it the seal around the rear glass or is it the stripping at the bottom? I feel like we could really use a convertible top FAQ or sticky.

 

0

00'Saleen

New Member

Jan 19, 2006

3

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Mar 21, 2007

#2

• Mar 21, 2007

• #2

I have a convertible with only 20K miles and I get the puddle of water in the basket in the back as well. The only solution i have found to fix is a car cover when it rains. These tops were just not made well i guess.

 

vega7891

New Member

Mar 17, 2007

14

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0

Riverside,CA

Mar 21, 2007

#3

• Mar 21, 2007

• #3

mine too, it collects water in the back and iv noticed seems to somehow get in the weatherstrip above where the window glass resses against.

 

joshheat25

Member

Nov 8, 2004

871

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16

Delaware

Mar 21, 2007

#4

• Mar 21, 2007

• #4

There are some good articles just not on Stangnet.com Go do a search on Google or Yahoo!

 

K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?

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Mar 30, 2005

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Mar 21, 2007

#5

• Mar 21, 2007

• #5

Well, the rear window is suspended by elastic and once the seal is compromised there is really no way to fix other than replacing the rear window. The cost is usually around $350. Sorry about that man...

Do not go through automated car washes that use blowers to dry the car. These blowers put extreme stress on the rear window and IMHO lead to premature failure.

The best way to get tops repaired is to contact your Lincoln Mercury stealership and ask them who is the best trim shop in town, the one that they themselves use...

Sadly, verts are more expensive to maintain due to these kinds of problems.

 

DropTopPony

Noob Slayer

Founding Member

Aug 13, 2002

2,570

3

48

south jersey

Mar 21, 2007

#6

• Mar 21, 2007

• #6

Mine started leaking in the same area...i tried clear silicone etc but i had to eventually replace it.

 

GToddyT5

Founding Member

Jan 14, 2002

553

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16

Hamilton, NJ

Mar 21, 2007

#7

• Mar 21, 2007

• #7

Kilgore Trout said:

Well, the rear window is suspended by elastic and once the seal is compromised there is really no way to fix other than replacing the rear window. The cost is usually around $350. Sorry about that man...

Do not go through automated car washes that use blowers to dry the car. These blowers put extreme stress on the rear window and IMHO lead to premature failure.

The best way to get tops repaired is to contact your Lincoln Mercury stealership and ask them who is the best trim shop in town, the one that they themselves use...

Sadly, verts are more expensive to maintain due to these kinds of problems.

Click to expand...

I know a local place that did a ragtop on my friend's Chevelle, just haven't taken it there yet. I know it's gonna hurt. I'll do it soon because I used to hate my other friend's 94 GT, which sounded like he had Shamu in the back.

 

04DarkShadowGT

Member

Jan 31, 2004

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17

Fort Wayne, IN

Mar 21, 2007

#8

• Mar 21, 2007

• #8

I was getting some work done to another car at a shop in town here, I asked how much a new top was. If the rear window is still good and the headliner part is good. It was $600 installed for a brand new top.

 

K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?

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Mar 30, 2005

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Mar 21, 2007

#9

• Mar 21, 2007

• #9

04DarkShadowGT said:

I was getting some work done to another car at a shop in town here, I asked how much a new top was. If the rear window is still good and the headliner part is good. It was $600 installed for a brand new top.

Click to expand...

That is true, vinyl tops typically run $600 and cloth runs $1200 installed (approx prices) but that is assuming the headliner and rear window can be re-used. His problem is with the rear window assembly and this is not part of the top. His rear window assembly needs replaced probably due to blowers in a drive through car wash.

 

04DarkShadowGT

Member

Jan 31, 2004

474

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17

Fort Wayne, IN

Mar 21, 2007

#10

• Mar 21, 2007

• #10

Kilgore Trout said:

That is true, vinyl tops typically run $600 and cloth runs $1200 installed (approx prices) but that is assuming the headliner and rear window can be re-used. His problem is with the rear window assembly and this is not part of the top. His rear window assembly needs replaced probably due to blowers in a drive through car wash.

Click to expand...

Fabinis said $800 for a cloth cobra top.

 

K

Kilgore Trout

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Mar 21, 2007

#11

• Mar 21, 2007

• #11

04DarkShadowGT said:

Fabinis said $800 for a cloth cobra top.

Click to expand...

You should do it man! That would really make the car look nicer. Would you go with tan or switch to black? I would switch to black personally...

 

1992 2.3LX

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Dec 5, 2002

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Ky

Mar 22, 2007

#12

• Mar 22, 2007

• #12

my solution was simple i went to Walmart and bought a black towel and just place it in the bottom of the basket. works just fine and you can even put the top down with the towel in there.
it cost me $3.79

 

MarcoCapone

Member

Aug 6, 2003

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6

Mar 22, 2007

#13

• Mar 22, 2007

• #13

now there is one!!!!!!! (A thread about convertible top...)

 

GToddyT5

Founding Member

Jan 14, 2002

553

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Hamilton, NJ

Mar 22, 2007

#14

• Mar 22, 2007

• #14

1992 2.3LX said:

my solution was simple i went to Walmart and bought a black towel and just place it in the bottom of the basket. works just fine and you can even put the top down with the towel in there.
it cost me $3.79

Click to expand...

I wouldn't really call that a solution. The only thing you solved was finding a way to absorb the water.

 

K

Kilgore Trout

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Mar 22, 2007

#15

• Mar 22, 2007

• #15

The towel method would be a temporary solution at best. It creates other issues with corrosion, humidity, and odor...

 

1992 2.3LX

New Member

Dec 5, 2002

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Ky

Mar 22, 2007

#16

• Mar 22, 2007

• #16

Kilgore Trout said:

The towel method would be a temporary solution at best. It creates other issues with corrosion, humidity, and odor...

Click to expand...

you don't leave the towel in the forever. once the rain is done you throw it in the wash and dry it. i have no problems at all.
Much easier than spending $600 on a new top install when the top looks great just leaks a little around the window.

 

GToddyT5

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Jan 14, 2002

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Hamilton, NJ

Mar 22, 2007

#17

• Mar 22, 2007

• #17

I'd rather fix mine because I don't want to have to deal with my car filling up with water and water dripping on my arm.

 

1992 2.3LX

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Dec 5, 2002

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Ky

Mar 22, 2007

#18

• Mar 22, 2007

• #18

GToddyT5 said:

I'd rather fix mine because I don't want to have to deal with my car filling up with water and water dripping on my arm.

Click to expand...

well if it's dripping on your arm you have much larger problem than myself

 

GToddyT5

Founding Member

Jan 14, 2002

553

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Hamilton, NJ

Mar 22, 2007

#19

• Mar 22, 2007

• #19

Like I said, it leaks on the driver's side right about the cup on the inside of the door, right where the seam on the seal is.

 

K

Kilgore Trout

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Mar 22, 2007

#20

• Mar 22, 2007

• #20

Oh sorry man I misunderstood your description of the leak area...