Technical - Convertible Top Waterleaks (Repl Convertible Top/Apply Sealer)

This bulletin contains information on several conditions.

The left or right floor is wet under the carpet.

Water may follow the upper lip of the primary seal retainer down to where there is a gap in the retainer to the hem flange and then flows into the vehicle.

Apply sealer inside the carrier. Starting along the top of the door and down to the bottom of the "A" pillar, use 3M® Ultrapro Autobody sealant, P/N 08302, or equivalent.

Water leaks through the escutcheon (2) in the quarter trim panel. Refer to Figure 1.

This condition may be caused by missing foam on the end of the molding or foam that may have been damaged during assembly at the top joint in the garnish molding. Refer to Figure 2, callout 2.

Install 3M® Strip Caulk sealer, P/N 08578; American Dominion OEM Strip Caulk, P/N 10055, or equivalent to the end of the molding (1). Refer to Figure 3.

Water drips from the bottom side, top joint of the garnish molding (1). Refer to Figure 2.

This condition may be caused by missing foam on the end of the molding or foam that may have been damaged during assembly.

Apply 3M® Ultrapro Autobody sealant, P/N 08302, or equivalent to the inside edge of the molding (1). Refer to Figure 2.

Water runs over the top of the garnish molding.

The drain hole may be partially covered with material, causing the water to back up and drain over the top of the molding.

Trim the shaded material from the hole (1). Refer to Figure 4.

Water leaks through the vent (1) in the rear quarter trim panel. Refer to Figure 1.

The hem flange may not be sealed properly or the garnish molding retaining screws may have been driven through the plastic retaining nut in the wrong location. Refer to Figure 5 for area of the leaks.

Seal the hem flange with 3M® Heavy Drip Check™, P/N 8531, or equivalent.

Water leaks through the trim panel escutcheon (2) on the rear quarter panel. Refer to Figure 1.

Water may leak through the stitching in the upper rear corner of the convertible top and run down the metal bow, behind the quarter trim and through the side of the trim. Refer to Figure 6.

Replace the convertible top.

The water path is over the top of the rear garnish molding (1), at the stitching on the folding top. Refer to Figure 7.

The stitching may have been mispositioned during assembly. Refer to Figure 8, callout 1. Callout 2 shows the correct stitching.

Replace the folding top, rear half.

Water leaks between the convertible top and the garnish molding.

Install new right hand, left hand and center garnish moldings. The new moldings have a small bead (1) added to the top edge. See Figure 9.

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use: