New Top Leaking :(

[BartusCompater]

It was a little while back that I ordered a new top from IAP and had a professional install it for me. I've given it a little bit of time to settle in and it is still leaking above the left and right windows with a consistent drip that gets onto my seats and side-paneling. I've tried lowering the window, shutting the door, and then rolling up the window, but that doesn't seem to do much good. Showing a guy I work with, he just said that it's a poorly designed top.

It seems like if I could get the little side flaps to rest outside of the window rather than inside of it, water would just slide right off, but I'm pretty sure it's not meant to work that way. As the flaps are right now, resting on the inside of the window, they just don't seal.

Is there a trick to getting these airtight? The old top leaked in through the torn rear window and all of the holes on top, but not at the windows like this. It's kind of frustrating for all of the money and trouble it took to get it installed. In addition, I think my seat covers are going to start mildewing unless I put a cover over the car every night.

[So Cal Mark]

are the side cables in place on the top?

[TulsaSpider]

Well I have a new top as well, self installed, and I have the same issues. I must agree the overall design is poor. On mine behind the rear/side glass where it's supposed to velcro down, one side is ok, the other side won't come close to coming down far enough to velcro. I am going to make a "filler" strip to fill the gap for this issue. For the door windows....I have been wondering if anyone knows of a way to make... or if it already exists... a strip of rubber that could be saddled on top of the glass say just 1/2 inch tall or so would probably do it and seal it up nicely..preferably shaped just like a wiper blade. I have just been thinking about this and haven't looked yet, but I think this would help! On the top that I had replaced the little side curtains were much thicker than the new one, which probably helped with this issue as well. I get the impression that many on here don't take theirs out when it rains so it's not a big issue. I drive mine daily and it sounds like you do as well, so I'll wish us good luck!

[mdrburchette]

I've been caught in the rain with my Fiats and don't have a leaking problem in the area you're talking about. The window is rolled up between the outer part of the top and the inner flap with the outer part of the top coming down slightly over the window. One of mine leaks at the header bow right into my lap and the other leaks from the passenger side floorboard.

[jfrawley]

BartusCompater,

Did you contact IAP to see what they said? I think all of their tops are made by a company called Robbins and I know they warranty them. A friend of mine installed one of their tops and had a couple of issues. Robbins had one of their installers work with him over the phone to fix the problems he had. I'd try it, what do you have to loose?

[manoa matt]

Did you guys rivet that flap to the small metal tab on the windshield frame at the front top corner? The header bow gasket that seals the top to the windshield frame usually wraps around the side about 1-2 inches and is sandwiched between the flap and the bracket. Without that rivet the flap will stick out further and possibly seal better, but is a pain when rolling up the window as the flap is more prone to get hung up on the window.

[TulsaSpider]

I think mine is just a crappy top. It seems it could be about 2 inches wider on both sides I'd say....
here's pics..

Window all the way up. Denise said that the glass should tuck just between the inner flap and the top. Mine is waaay short of that on both sides. >_< Driver's side pictured

Passenger side.

The inside passenger side where it velcroes, note the 2 inch gap


Like I said I think it's just a crappily made top, I would welcome any suggestions!

[mdrburchette]

I don't know if the way my top fits is the proper way but it makes sense. Here's a pic of the IAP vinyl top Ron installed for my Christmas present 12 years ago. You can see the glass tucks under the top which can be a problem if I roll the window all the way up before shutting the door.


Here's a pic of my 71 where you can see the same gap yours has. I have no clue where this top was purchased since I've only owned the car for three years.


I didn't have any leaking from the windows of either car while in the rain.

[ventura ace]

Nice self portraits, D! And properly attired, too. Not like some embarrassing pictures that folks have taken of shiney, reflective things when not wearing enough clothing!

Alvon

[mdrburchette]

I tried to get out of the pics but I couldn't find a good spot to stand and get a pic of the glass! Yes, appropriate attire for the cold weather we're having. Be thankful I didn't take the pic in the summer.

[htchevyii]

The canvas top, of unknown orgin,on my '82 has a 3/4-1" gap between the glass & gutter. My '72 has a $190.00 vinyl Ebay top,(Diamondmall was the seller), and there is almost no gap. I am really happy with the way it fits & it's much easier to latch than my canvas one. I haven't driven either in the rain, (or the '72 at all), but it doesn't seem to be leaking while parked.

[BartusCompater]

I don't know why I left this topic alone for so long, I guess other issues flared up and I forgot about the top.

In response to Mark's first question, yes, the cables were installed.

I will call up IAP when I get a chance.

[124spiderman]

I too have this problem. Mine is a Robbins top, but I was told that the framework should come down about an inch, so that the top of the window glass when fully wound up, should line up with the verticle chrome dress strip (see pic attached to link) But this is as far as it will go, and window is at its limit.
http://www.turbo124.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5973

[manoa matt]

Looking through that thread, there are a few adjustments that are mentioned that can increase or limit how high the window goes up. All of those adjustments aside, the limiting factor will be the chrome window chanel at the leading edge of the glass, behind the vent wing. There is a rubber cap that should be at the top, that caps the felt window channel. The originals are pretty good, don't bother with the "new" aftermarket ones, (same problems as the vent window seals). If that cap is removed the window should go up another 1/4" inch, but will be stopped by the chromed metal at the top of the channel. Check out mdrbruchette's second picture with the black top. The glass extends above the window chanel about 1/8", apparently that car does not have the rubber window chanel caps.

You could file off some metal at the top of the metal channel and the window would wind up more, but it may look odd and the filed area will rust.

I think the real problem is in the top intself. Of all the different tops I've seen, they all look very similar except for the window flaps which differ greatly between manufacturers.

[124spiderman]

Perhaps someone should email this thread to the Soft top manufacturers/suppliers. They may be able to use this to improve their products or produce some sort of instruction manual. It can only serve as useful to us all.