Water Leak From Roof Rack Channel

[meatloaf]

I have a pretty big leak with water coming in from the passenger side top of the door. After putting a hose on it I discovered that the sleeve that covers the roof rack "channel" is pushed in. this is from the front of the passenger side roof rack to the windshield, I tried to to pull it out but it is not easy and ended up breaking part of the front plastic roof-rack cover. Is the rubber seal just wedged in there or is there a trick to remove it

?

 

[brianrride]

Maybe use silicone or Teflon tape on the bolts? That fixed mine after pulling the oem rack off and adding a custom one. Good luck!

 

[labcab]

The leak is coming from one of those roof rack bolts. Just take it all off and use silicone on the bolts when you reinstall.

Factory roof rack removal

 

[gatormark91]

There isn't really any way for those bolts to leak. They are in pretty tight, and there is no rubber seal where you are pointing out. I've had everything off in that area, down to the metal, and if the bolts are in place, you won't get a leak of any mention. Water isn't going to leak past the threads of a tight bolt. What you pictured is just the exterior trim clipped into the channel. Please be more descriptive of where your water is getting in. I'd bet $1 one of your sunroof drains came loose or is clogged. Did you spray water all over the roof when you checked? Try spraying it only on the channel, not getting any on the sunroof, and see if you still have water intrusion when you do that.

 

[brianrride]

There isn't really any way for those bolts to leak. They are in pretty tight, and there is no rubber seal where you are pointing out. I've had everything off in that area, down to the metal, and if the bolts are in place, you won't get a leak of any mention. Water isn't going to leak past the threads of a tight bolt. What you pictured is just the exterior trim clipped into the channel. Please be more descriptive of where your water is getting in. I'd bet $1 one of your sunroof drains came loose or is clogged. Did you spray water all over the roof when you checked? Try spraying it only on the channel, not getting any on the sunroof, and see if you still have water intrusion when you do that.

Oh there is a way for the bolts to leak...trust me. They will leak. I didn't think so either until it rained.

 

[gatormark91]

OP needs to do a little more testing and give some better detail.

 

[meatloaf]

OP needs to do a little more testing and give some better detail.

Hey All,

I did do more testing today... i lifted the seal and poured water with a gallon jug and water was draining out nicely through the fender drain. I poured water at the sunroof and it all leaked inside the pass side floorboard. Thank you all for the help!

ML

 

[hifu]

Yup, gotta tear mine down after summer camping is complete. Got some major rusting going on underneath on the front passenger side.

 

[gatormark91]

Hey All,

I did do more testing today... i lifted the seal and poured water with a gallon jug and water was draining out nicely through the fender drain. I poured water at the sunroof and it all leaked inside the pass side floorboard. Thank you all for the help!

ML

Just pull the grab handles, pop off the A-pillar trim, and take off the visors. You can then get to the drain hose without the headliner getting bent too far. The drain hose gets pinched, and then gets gunk in it.

I popped off the passenger kick panel to get at the bottom end of my hose. I poked a hole in the hose at the bottom end, and tied on a piece of wire (used to fish it back down after cleaning). I then pulled the hose out through the top and untied the fish wire (leave it hanging, you'll use it later).

I then cleaned the hose, and used some zip ties to restore some roundness to the pinched section. Using the fish wire, feed the drain end of the hose back in place, and make SURE the pointed drain end goes back inside the fender. Hook up the sunroof end, make sure the hose is routed where it doesn't get pinched. Put everything back together and you'll be good to go.

 

[SquareOne]

I know this was an old thread. This problem was driving me insane! I took off the roof rack and put silicone I couldn't figure out what it was. Thank you all for this great help.