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Leaky hardtop woes ...

1K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  VansMudder 
#1 ·
Jeepers,

I'm having trouble with my freedom hard top leaking. I've tried re-installing the top (as suggested on previous posts), but I'm still occasionally opening up my jeep to find 1-2 inches of water on my floor board (fail). It's leaking down the front passenger side door from right where the two panels connect. I'm fine with some leaking, but 2 inches of standing water is a little much and I'm tired of pulling out the carpet to dry.

I talked to one of the mechanics at the dealership the last time I went in, and he told me that the hard tops typically leak more than the factory soft tops. He also advised me against buying a soft top conversion from the dealership because they are prone to leaking and not nearly as well-made as the off-market brands. I love honest people.

So my question is ... does anyone have any final suggestions on fixing this leak? OR do you think I should just go ahead and get a soft top. I'm looking at getting the Bestop Supertop NX ... has anybody gotten that top and had problems with water leaking?
 
#3 ·
I had my Jeep in 3 times for a leak on the passenger side freedom panel. After it would rain I would hear water sloshing around in the hollow portion of the panel and when I moved the vehicle it would come pouring in through the thumb screw above my wifes head. Every time I took it in I told them that there was a defect in the panel itself and it wasn't the seals. Well after 3 times replacing the seals they concurred that it was a defect in the panel, water was getting in through the seam where the panel is glued together and they replaced it. That was 2 years ago and it hasn't leaked a drop since. I also just picked up an oem soft top that was very lightly used and put it on last month for the season and after heavy rain several times it too has not leaked a drop so I now have two tops that don't leak.

It really is the luck of the draw with both the soft and hard tops as well as any after market top, some leak and some don't whether it be due to defects or just improper placement. In your case I wouldn't give up as the hard tops are quite expensive and it shouldn't leak if they have replaced the seals to no avail then it is time they looked at replacing the freedom panels or the top itself until the problem is resolved. It also wouldn't be a bad idea to pick up a soft top as well so you can have easier access to top down weather in the warmer months.
 
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