Freedom top seals or leak fix
- Thread starter WSS
- Start date
Sometimes replacing seals, sometimes just cleaning things really well. I searched the resources area and didn't find it, but I've attached the "Jeep Wrangler Diagnosis & Repair Manual - Water Leaks" pdf that I got some years ago off the web. I've battled leaks on some of my JK's and others have been fine. My current one will have some seals replaced this spring. It's probably the biggest pain I have with JK's, only because the interior is so much nicer than my old CJ's 
Sometimes replacing seals, sometimes just cleaning things really well. I searched the resources area and didn't find it, but I've attached the "Jeep Wrangler Diagnosis & Repair Manual - Water Leaks" pdf that I got some years ago off the web. I've battled leaks on some of my JK's and others have been fine. My current one will have some seals replaced this spring. It's probably the biggest pain I have with JK's, only because the interior is so much nicer than my old CJ's
Great resource! Thx @JerryD
I found my leak to have been caused by 2 things. 1, I tightened my top too tight and 2, the seals were stupid dirty. Loosening the top a little bit and cleaning the seals real good stopped my leak.
Can we use the same cleaner/conditioner that is used on RV rubber seals, like around the pop outs?
Yes! I used to detail RV's and campers and used Dawn dish soap to clean everything and then used 303 rubber conditioner for the slide-outs. I did the same for my top seals.
I have learned that my 2007 JKU came with a soft top and half doors. The hard top was added after 2010, or at least it has a 2010+ hard top and full doors on it now. The "freedom" tops are definitely 2010+ as the front latch has the later latch on the front middle section. I found that most of the latches on my freedom tops were loose, even the two under the visors. I bent them a little to have more pull, the middle latch has a mod were the footmans loop is moved over a few inches so the top latch can grab it and pull down against the seal.
I also cleaned the seals real good with soap and water then put on some rubber seal conditioner, they seemed supple and not real dirty. I think it just needed some tension.
Fingers crossed. We have some rain coming in the next hour or so for me to test the tweaks. blue arrow shows footman loop modified location.
I also cleaned the seals real good with soap and water then put on some rubber seal conditioner, they seemed supple and not real dirty. I think it just needed some tension.
Fingers crossed. We have some rain coming in the next hour or so for me to test the tweaks. blue arrow shows footman loop modified location.
Well the rain is here and so is the leak. 
The leak is possibly a little slower. It is dripping right at the pictured footmans loop, on the right post/leg. Now, it is possible the leak is traveling but that seems to be where the two tops meet as well. Frustrating. everything looks like it is supposed to.
The leak is possibly a little slower. It is dripping right at the pictured footmans loop, on the right post/leg. Now, it is possible the leak is traveling but that seems to be where the two tops meet as well. Frustrating. everything looks like it is supposed to.
Well the rain is here and so is the leak.
The leak is possibly a little slower. It is dripping right at the pictured footmans loop, on the right post/leg. Now, it is possible the leak is traveling but that seems to be where the two tops meet as well. Frustrating. everything looks like it is supposed to.
It is frustrating. How'd the seals look on the panels?
The seals on the panels look fine, I did clean and condition the panel seal as well. There seems to be a seal "convergence" issue, meaning the leak is coming in at a junction. If you look at the pic with the blue arrow, right above the right arm of the footmans loop is a little indentation on the upper/header seal. It seems like the culprit is right there.
So, here's what I learned a couple years ago....
1. I don't tighten the rear sport bar screws much beyond snug. The tighter you make those, the more it pulls the freedom panel down at the sport bar and up across the front of the windshield. The freedom panel isn't going to bend much. I've gotten into the habit of latching the panels at the footman loop first, then snugging the sport bar screws.
2. I wrapped a couple turns of the black electrical friction tape around the windshield frame footman loop that holds the latch. Tightens up the front edge of the freedom panels.
There's this, but, to be honest, it's a Jeep, and a big box DIY home store weatherstripping will work as well.
https://www.extremeterrain.com/crown-automotive-windshield-frame-weatherstrip-0718-jk.html?utm_content=XTExterior-Other|StoreBrand&T5_Var4=J121681&intl=0&utm_campaign=XTW+Wrangler+Vehicle+Medium+LTVMiddle+PriorityTiers&dialogtech=ppc&utm_source=google-pla&utm_medium=shopping&T5_Var2=shopping&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA8q--BhDiARIsAP9tKI0dd4wn-cPrl9ECPnYjDu6wmT05a4OEBTyLyzskRR5KW_0JER2QSeoaAlyrEALw_wcB
1. I don't tighten the rear sport bar screws much beyond snug. The tighter you make those, the more it pulls the freedom panel down at the sport bar and up across the front of the windshield. The freedom panel isn't going to bend much. I've gotten into the habit of latching the panels at the footman loop first, then snugging the sport bar screws.
2. I wrapped a couple turns of the black electrical friction tape around the windshield frame footman loop that holds the latch. Tightens up the front edge of the freedom panels.
There's this, but, to be honest, it's a Jeep, and a big box DIY home store weatherstripping will work as well.
https://www.extremeterrain.com/crown-automotive-windshield-frame-weatherstrip-0718-jk.html?utm_content=XTExterior-Other|StoreBrand&T5_Var4=J121681&intl=0&utm_campaign=XTW+Wrangler+Vehicle+Medium+LTVMiddle+PriorityTiers&dialogtech=ppc&utm_source=google-pla&utm_medium=shopping&T5_Var2=shopping&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA8q--BhDiARIsAP9tKI0dd4wn-cPrl9ECPnYjDu6wmT05a4OEBTyLyzskRR5KW_0JER2QSeoaAlyrEALw_wcB
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Thanks Anybodyhome! The tip about the tightening is probably what is happening. I more than "snugged" the rear bar bolts for sure and in the wrong order. I tightened them first (of course) LOL.
I did order the extreme terrain front seal after watching the video. The guy did it in ten minutes, what could go wrong? My seal looks better than the one in the video, but I have noticed a lot of weather related issues on my new rig. The PO lived in Oceanside way too close to the beach.
Funny how each new project Jeep has it's own things we have to learn. I am now an expert on IH Scout II's, CJ5's, TJ's and SOON JKU's.
I did order the extreme terrain front seal after watching the video. The guy did it in ten minutes, what could go wrong? My seal looks better than the one in the video, but I have noticed a lot of weather related issues on my new rig. The PO lived in Oceanside way too close to the beach.
Funny how each new project Jeep has it's own things we have to learn. I am now an expert on IH Scout II's, CJ5's, TJ's and SOON JKU's.
Thanks Anybodyhome! The tip about the tightening is probably what is happening. I more than "snugged" the rear bar bolts for sure and in the wrong order. I tightened them first (of course) LOL.
I did order the extreme terrain front seal after watching the video. The guy did it in ten minutes, what could go wrong? My seal looks better than the one in the video, but I have noticed a lot of weather related issues on my new rig. The PO lived in Oceanside way too close to the beach.
Funny how each new project Jeep has it's own things we have to learn. I am now an expert on IH Scout II's, CJ5's, TJ's and SOON JKU's.
Hey, I was born and raised in and around San Diego. Lived in Encinitas the last 4 years before retiring and moving to NC. Very familiar with Oceanside.
So you are aware of the salt spray in the air at night. It is an accumulative damage. I also believe the PO did not wheel it at all. I have heard the tops make snap crackle and pop sounds while using it. Probably upset the delicate balance of the seals.
After being a Kali resident, how are you liking NC? What are the best things about it? What are the marginal things?
My wife and i bought two homes in Greensboro 20 years ago with big migration/exodus plans. We just sold one home in Reedy Fork last August, but still have one ready if we finally do it. The "plan" was to live in one, sell the other then build the "dream home". Still might happen. Our business is still strong here in Kali, so it may be a few years.