hey guys, i have an 87 trans am with t-tops. I have been chasing leaks in them for years, and i'm getting to be at my wits end. I have actually been starting to contemplate selling the car over it because i cant stand it any longer.
Long ago, i had leaks in the sides, the typical spots (right where it came together at the door windows). I replaced the seals, and had leaks in the same spot still. I adjusted the seals and still got leaks.....then it started leaking in the center of the t-bar. I did what i could but was never able to stop the leak.
Years later, i noticed paint bubbles on the bit of roof around the windshield, after hitting it with a wire brush on my angle grinder, it just poofed away all the metal there. I underwent a 3 month project of replacing and grafting in a new, rust free, support frame and body skin there.
I figured, well that must've solved the leak, but now it leaks from the center t-bar worse than ever and now the sides leak too. At the end of the project, i skimped and bought aftermarket t-top seals. No sure if thats part of my problem but i'm looking for anyone with experience with center t-bar leaks and try to find out what you guys did to solve it.

Thanks

 

I assume you're familiar with this? If not, I'd start here...

http://www.kt-s.net/media/T-Top%20Wa...k%20Manual.pdf

 

My old 85 and 87 T/As t-tops leaked when they were brand new and were
back to the dealer many times while under warranty!
My current hi mile stock 84 Z with tops leaks/drips here and there too!

I just put it in the garage or throw the tarp over it!
Its the nature of the beast with these cars so I will live with it!

 

When you replaced the ttop seals did you remove the center ttop t-bar and clean it and reseal under it and at the front and rear of it? The problem on the t-top cars is always the t-bar not the seals against the glass. The water gets in at the front and rear of the t-bar

 

 

Thank you, I see I'm missing the foam pad it talks about in here (under front and back of tbar), I used plenty of silicone there but I wonder if it could be the issue

 

Yes I cleaned it very well. I had to repaint the tbar under the seals since I had grafted a new roof on.

 

But did you reseal under it with a black automotive sealer kind of like RTV but for weather sealing when you put it back on?

 

Yes, i either used RTV or weatherstrip adhesive. I think i built it up with RTV instead. I also went over all the areas i re-spot welded in the channel with RTV to seal it up. I thought i went over every possible spot but the only thing that kinda seems to make sense is not having the foam pads. I believe i took them out after the first time i did the seals because they tore a little when i took the bar off on top. One day i guess i'll have to do a true proper test but i dont have the time or the patience for that. whenever i experience a leak my blood starts to boil a bit

 

My IROC had leaks at the same areas. After stripping down vehicle and painting. I replaced ever body seal. In addition, 2 things that gave my car the best sealing was Vaseline rubbed on the seals and adjusting my door glass. This really put a stop to leaks hope this helps.