Hard Top Hinge Leaks

[Rick deCastro]

I recently acquired an '04 Rubicon with a hard top. During a recent rain storm I noticed that water had collected on the top of the "trunk" behind the rear seat as well as the carpet behind the rear seat under the trunk. I replaced the rear window seal on the hard top and the seal on the bottom of the window and hoped that would resolve the issue. No luck, had my wife spray water from a downward angle onto the junction of the top/rear window seal area while I was seated on the back seat and discovered that the water was actually coming in around the hinge holes in the glass. My question to the group is whether any of you have experienced a similar issue and if so what you did to resolve it. In looking at various parts vendors I can find replacement hinges but nowhere can I find just hinge seals. Advice please? Thanks for any wisdom you can share,

Rick d.

 

[Chris]

Those hardtop hinges should have some plastic seals underneath them like this:

Are you missing the seals?

Also, you could always use clear silicone caulking.

 

[Rick deCastro]

Thanks for the quick response Chris. I haven't disassembled a hinge yet but from what I can see I don't think they've ever been disturbed. If the seals depicted in your response have cracked with age I imagine a fair amount of water could make it inside since the shape of the hinge section attached to the outside of the glass looks a little like a scoop at the top just below the pivot, filling with water and leaking inside around or through a split or shrunk seal. I'll see if I can find just the seals and replace them along with a touch of RTV for good measure. If not I'll bite the bullet on new complete hinge assemblies with a little sealant and report back.

 

[Thunderhead]

Thanks for the quick response Chris. I haven't disassembled a hinge yet but from what I can see I don't think they've ever been disturbed. If the seals depicted in your response have cracked with age I imagine a fair amount of water could make it inside since the shape of the hinge section attached to the outside of the glass looks a little like a scoop at the top just below the pivot, filling with water and leaking inside around or through a split or shrunk seal. I'll see if I can find just the seals and replace them along with a touch of RTV for good measure. If not I'll bite the bullet on new complete hinge assemblies with a little sealant and report back.

Have you snugged the current bolts down?

 

[Rick deCastro]

Have you snugged the current bolts down?

Yes the bolts are snug. This Rubi has lived its whole life in the Arizona desert and I'll bet the plastic seal(s) under the hinge covers are split/deteriorated. If I'm unable to find just replacement seals is there a preferred brand of replacement hinges?