Leaks from the removable panels!

ValB · Mar 21, 2023

Does anybody else have an issues with water coming in from the removable panels? My jeep leaks all the time in the rain and I am having to pull the carpet to dry it out to keep it from getting mold ! Help!

1Evil55 · Mar 21, 2023

Tried replacing the seals yet?

ValB · Mar 21, 2023

1Evil55 said:
Tried replacing the seals yet?

Nope, thought I would not have to on almost a brand new Jeep! I have had 4 other Jeeps they all had small leaks, but this is something else! The seals look good, no cracks they all line up, I don't get it!

jludave · Mar 21, 2023

ValB said:
Does anybody else have an issues with water coming in from the removable panels?

Known issue that may or may not be the panels themselves.

You need to be sure you have panels installed properly, without any seals pinched or folded over. Lift the panels out starting with the driver side. Clean all the seals with mild soap and water. Install the passenger side panel first and be sure to lay the panel in place gently. Do not slide/drag the panel into place or you may pinch/fold part of the seals. Repeat the process for the driver side. If that doesn't fix the leak, keep reading.

I had water infiltration that I thought was coming from my freedom panel on the driver side. No matter what I did, I couldn't get it to stop. The vehicle was only 2 weeks old at the time, so I scheduled an appointment with my dealer's leak specialist. This is all the guy does. He spends all day fixing leaks on vehicles that the dealer schedules for him that day. For my vehicle, it turned out to be an improperly installed driver door seal and an improperly sealed body seam under the removable driver side cowl. The door seal was fixed and the body seam repaired with panel bond. Zero leaks since. If you cannot resolve the leak issue on your own, head back to the dealer and let them fix it.

ValB · Mar 21, 2023

jludave said:
Known issue that may or may not be the panels themselves.

You need to be sure you have panels installed properly, without any seals pinched or folded over. Lift the panels out starting with the driver side. Clean all the seals with mild soap and water. Install the passenger side panel first and be sure to lay the panel in place gently. Do not slide/drag the panel into place or you may pinch/fold part of the seals. Repeat the process for the driver side. If that doesn't fix the leak, keep reading.

I had water infiltration that I thought was coming from my freedom panel on the driver side. No matter what I did, I couldn't get it to stop. The vehicle was only 2 weeks old at the time, so I scheduled an appointment with my dealer's leak specialist. This is all the guy does. He spends all day fixing leaks on vehicles that the dealer schedules for him that day. For my vehicle, it turned out to be an improperly installed driver door seal and an improperly sealed body seam under the removable driver side cowl. The door seal was fixed and the body seam repaired with panel bond. Zero leaks since. If you cannot resolve the leak issue on your own, head back to the dealer and let them fix it.

Thanks, I am going to take it to the dealer ! Good suggestion!

Grayhound · Mar 21, 2023

Properly identifying the leaks origin is the real challenge. When I started down this road I thought it was my freedom panels, turned out to be a cracked ac housing and it was dripping under the dash into the carpet. Ac housing was replaced under warranty.

The Last Cowboy · Mar 21, 2023

Keeping all the rubber seals clean is part of it. Keeping them treated and supple is another. I treat my seals with 303 protectant every couple of months. I've had no leaks in 3 years, even in the car wash. Do not use Armor All, which had chemicals in it that will actually harm plastic and rubber over time. 303 is also excellent for your fenders and other plastic trim too.

https://www.303products.com.au/

And, as stated above, take a few extra seconds to make sure the roof panels are properly aligned. When you place the passenger side, push ut up, the let it gently rest into place. Make sure that the seals lay properly and that nothing is folded or pinched. The place the driver's side panel the same way. Now fasten all of your latches. If you find one that's difficult to turn, stop and find out why, it might be a pinched or folded seal.

Another thing that I did when I first got mine was to snug the Torx fasteners on all of the latches. A few ere surprisingly loose. Don not over tighten them , just make sure they are good and snug. This is some I re check every 6 months or so, as the top expands and contracts quite a bit on the cold and heat.

ValB · Mar 21, 2023

The Last Cowboy said:
Keeping all the rubber seals clean is part of it. Keeping them treated and supple is another. I treat my seals with 303 protectant every couple of months. I've had no leaks in 3 years, even in the car wash. Do not use Armor All, which had chemicals in it that will actually harm plastic and rubber over time. 303 is also excellent for your fenders and other plastic trim too.

https://www.303products.com.au/

And, as stated above, take a few extra seconds to make sure the roof panels are properly aligned. When you place the passenger side, push ut up, the let it gently rest into place. Make sure that the seals lay properly and that nothing is folded or pinched. The place the driver's side panel the same way. Now fasten all of your latches. If you find one that's difficult to turn, stop and find out why, it might be a pinched or folded seal.

Another thing that I did when I first got mine was to snug the Torx fasteners on all of the latches. A few ere surprisingly loose. Don not over tighten them , just make sure they are good and snug. This is some I re check every 6 months or so, as the top expands and contracts quite a bit on the cold and heat.

Thanks, I will do everything step by step and hope it works!

Vadar · Mar 22, 2023

jludave said:
Known issue that may or may not be the panels themselves.

You need to be sure you have panels installed properly, without any seals pinched or folded over. Lift the panels out starting with the driver side. Clean all the seals with mild soap and water. Install the passenger side panel first and be sure to lay the panel in place gently. Do not slide/drag the panel into place or you may pinch/fold part of the seals. Repeat the process for the driver side. If that doesn't fix the leak, keep reading.

I had water infiltration that I thought was coming from my freedom panel on the driver side. No matter what I did, I couldn't get it to stop. The vehicle was only 2 weeks old at the time, so I scheduled an appointment with my dealer's leak specialist. This is all the guy does. He spends all day fixing leaks on vehicles that the dealer schedules for him that day. For my vehicle, it turned out to be an improperly installed driver door seal and an improperly sealed body seam under the removable driver side cowl. The door seal was fixed and the body seam repaired with panel bond. Zero leaks since. If you cannot resolve the leak issue on your own, head back to the dealer and let them fix it.

Jludave,
Great advice-I did not know that dealers had leak specialists (although is makes perfect sense now). I have a '21 Willys unlimited with 13,000 miles that suddenly started leaking. After reading this thread I called my dealer and they booked me with their "water tech" for a two day appointment. I would not have known about this without your post. Thanks!

GaryJL20 · Aug 9, 2023

Thank you google for letting me find this thread

Leaks from the removable panels!

ValB

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1Evil55

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ValB

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jludave

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ValB

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Grayhound

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The Last Cowboy

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ValB

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Vadar

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GaryJL20

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