Windshield Header Seal - Worth Replacing?

[crazyshot97]

Hey all,

I have an 06 with a 2 year old Bestop Trektop NX in Black Diamond material. The top is mostly quiet enough, however I have pretty intense wind noise at 65+ mph. I understand that TJ’s are not quiet, but this seems to be a pretty isolated wind rushing sound very specifically coming from the windshield header area.

I know that could potentially be from a worn or old windshield header seal. I’m not really sure what a “good” windshield header seal is supposed to look like, and I know the Mopar seal comes at a premium (if you can find it)

So, does anybody have any insight based on the attached pics? Do ya’ll think it’s worth forking over the money for a replacement Mopar seal to potentially mitigate the wind noise from the top of the windshield? It looks “alright” to me, but it definitely doesn’t sit flush with the Bestop header all the way across.

Thanks!

 

[Viking Jeeper]

The seal looks pretty good to me. I have a very low mileage 06 LJ and mine is the same. I have the same top but wanted to use is mostly in safari top mode. It was so loud I took it off and got a dedicated safari top that is much quieter. I got the trektop because the one on my old TJ was very quiet but for some reason the LJ top flaps like crazy.

 

[CharlesHS]

You have spoken of wind noise, but during the heavy FL rains do you get water coming in ?
IF you do then I would suspect the headed seal to be less pliable that it once was when new.
I had a similar problem with noise and water finding its way in during heavy driving rain.
Replacing the header seal with the Mopar OEM cured the problem.
Make sure to thoroughly clean the windshield frame where the seal adheres to and ensure the side tabs are positioned over the door casing.
The newer versions have been redesigned with a different rubber compound, thicker material and the lip that over hangs the windshield frame more.

 

[crazyshot97]

You have spoken of wind noise, but during the heavy FL rains do you get water coming in ?
IF you do then I would suspect the headed seal to be less pliable that it once was when new.
I had a similar problem with noise and water finding its way in during heavy driving rain.
Replacing the header seal with the Mopar OEM cured the problem.
Make sure to thoroughly clean the windshield frame where the seal adheres to and ensure the side tabs are positioned over the door casing.
The newer versions have been redesigned with a different rubber compound, thicker material and the lip that over hangs the windshield frame more.

Well, I originally purchased the Jeep with a hardtop (non-factory), which did leak like a sieve when it rained from the front corners. I didn’t change anything, just got the Bestop and the leaking is no more. I’m not sure if the leaking with the hardtop could be indicative of an issue with the header seal, or with the top itself, but I never really identified the reason before I got rid of it.

It may be worth it to just give a new header seal a try to see what happens. The Bestop header seems fairly tight when clamping it down, but I’m not convinced that it’s really compressing the seal like it should be. And it seems less than flush with the lip of the seal, as the pic shows. I guess a ~$250 experiment is in order

 

[txbemis69]

i highly recommend the mopar header seal if you can find one. i ordered mine and was told that the header seals were in production and to not cancel my order. seal arrived several months later. it was worth the $ and the wait.

 

[crazyshot97]

The seal looks pretty good to me. I have a very low mileage 06 LJ and mine is the same. I have the same top but wanted to use is mostly in safari top mode. It was so loud I took it off and got a dedicated safari top that is much quieter. I got the trektop because the one on my old TJ was very quiet but for some reason the LJ top flaps like crazy.

Fellow Jax member. I have heard of some figment issues with the Trektop on LJ’s specifically, which is interesting. This one was flapping like mad too, until I realized the air shouldn’t be on recirculate. Whoops. Zero flapping after changing the aircon settings, but the rushing wind at the seal persists

 

[crazyshot97]

i highly recommend the mopar header seal if you can find one. i ordered mine and was told that the header seals were in production and to not cancel my order. seal arrived several months later. it was worth the $ and the wait.

Yea, I think I’ll give it a shot either way. Who knows if it’s ever been replaced. I guess it’s worth the experiment. Now to find one

 

[Viking Jeeper]

Im shocked there are any sort of Mopar seals still available. I might have to get one for the parts shelf.

 

[CharlesHS]

Im shocked there are any sort of Mopar seals still available. I might have to get one for the parts shelf.

I do not like buying knock offs.....
They can be found....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3968538471...pid=5337789113&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

 

[JMT]

Yea, I think I’ll give it a shot either way. Who knows if it’s ever been replaced. I guess it’s worth the experiment. Now to find one

Just be aware that the aftermarket ones are crap compared to Mopar. They are typically thinner. I doubt it’s that seal. My money is on the Bestop.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

The seal looks pretty good to me. I have a very low mileage 06 LJ and mine is the same. I have the same top but wanted to use is mostly in safari top mode. It was so loud I took it off and got a dedicated safari top that is much quieter. I got the trektop because the one on my old TJ was very quiet but for some reason the LJ top flaps like crazy.

Kind of glad to know it's not just me. I had the trektop on a TJ and then based on positive experience I got the LJ trektop for my LJ. The section forward of the roll bar flaps like crazy if the soft windows are in and I don't have windows closed up front. The TJ didn't do that, and I've never made sense of it because that section of the top should be identical between TJ and LJ.