t-tops leak,'87 brat

[DaveAP]

Just purchased a new brat. "87 manuel, t-tops,shell. Nice shape overall. But the t-tops leak. I haven't gotten into it yet, but it looks like the gasket for the tops is not glued in. Any advice is appreciated.

By the way, I really am enjoying the hi-lo 4wd. All these years I have been making a run at hills with the '78brat. Now, just like the "old bull" I can walk up there "to see the ladys", not run!

 

"78 brat, 3" lift, weber, 14's

"87 brat, 4 sp manuel, stock

[edrach]

The t-top design is quite interesting. The roof forms a sort of "moat" around the rubber gasket and water should collect in the moat and drains off in the drain hole at the front corner of the t-top. If the t-tops leak, it's not normally a bad gaskest as much as the drain hole is clogged allowing the water to leak past the gasket. I cleared out my leaking problem by poking a stiff wire down the hole and squirting water down it until it drained properly. I haven't had a problem with it since.

[DaveAP]

thanks, I'll have to have a look for the hole. I didn'nt notice anything like that. I just assumed it drained around the gasket and ran off via the gutter trim.

[edrach]

Dave, I think I have to apologize. I think I may have described the sunroof on my Legacy. In retrospect, I think I cleaned up leaking on my Brat by putting a layer of clear silicone under the rubber gaskets of the t-tops. You're correct that the t-tops drain off around the gasket and ran off via the gutter trim. ---Ed---

thanks, I'll have to have a look for the hole. I didn'nt notice anything like that. I just assumed it drained around the gasket and ran off via the gutter trim.