Leaking T-bars
Leaking T-bars
There are several methods used and I will detail each one here. I have lifted the info from various MR2 sites, I do the hard work so you don't have to!!
1. Clean the seals up and spray on a rubber lubricant like this.Tthe down side with this method is you have to re-apply the silicone every few months, so is a temporary fix.
2. Lower the Tbar location brackets:
1st remove the plastic trim from around the locating holes for the glass roof. you will have to remove the seat belt bracket that is a 14mm bolt.
Then remove the 10mm nuts that keep the roof location brackets bolted up, remove the brackets and put washers onto the bolts that point down, start with thin ones and replace the brackets. All you are doing is moving the hole for the locking pin down towards the ground, which in turn pulls the glass further down into the rubbers. Be careful you will come to a point where the roof will not want to lock. So long as the rubber isn't worn out completely and doesn't deteriorate much more, than this is a permanent fix
The above methods won't set you back much - a few £'s max.
3.There are "eccentric guide rods" available - these basically enable the roof to be closed harder than normal therefore compressing worn seals more and hopefully curing the leak. So long as the rubber isn't worn out completely and doesn't deteriorate much more than this is a permanent fix. Get them from Toyota, they are classed as an accessory, and don't cost much more than £3 each (you need 4 though) and 4 M4x10mm screws (90159-40209). Part No: 63283-17040
4. New seals from Toyota - £Ouch (£90+ per side).
5. I all else fails there is a method described on MR2OC/TOC, using mastic sealer:
Clean both seals in the area that is thought to be leaking, squeeze a liberal amount of black silicon sealant onto the seal on the t bar panel side - not the rubber seal side!!
Tear off some cling film and cover the area now spread with the sealant
put the T-bar back on and tighten up as normal, repeat for other side if necessary, wait 24 hrs and then remove t-bars and cling film then replace t-bars. Job done.
If you put the sealant on the t-bars then its doesn't show when the tops are off, and as the tops are stowed away when off no one will need to know.
What happens is that the sealant that has been spread onto the seals is compressed and squeezed by the locked T-bar into the areas with all the gaps and hence fills them. The cling film allows the sealant to dry AND allow you to remove the T-bars later without pulling the new seal off at the same time.
A great idea, but IMHO worth trying the other fixes first.
Hope this helps anyone with leaking roofs, I assume most of these methods will work with other cars using the same T-Bar roof design.
"Life's goal is not to arrive safely at the grave in a well preserved body. But, rather to skid in sideways........
totally worn out and broken, shouting 'Holy ****, WHAT A RIDE!'"
FirebirdPhil
30-09-2016, 04:37 AM #1Leaking roofs, in the MR2 are very common. Both the MK1 and 2 suffer from this irritating issue - and so does the wife's new one...... Only a tiny bit but with winter fast approaching it is going to have to be sorted out.
There are several methods used and I will detail each one here. I have lifted the info from various MR2 sites, I do the hard work so you don't have to!!
1. Clean the seals up and spray on a rubber lubricant like this.Tthe down side with this method is you have to re-apply the silicone every few months, so is a temporary fix.
2. Lower the Tbar location brackets:
1st remove the plastic trim from around the locating holes for the glass roof. you will have to remove the seat belt bracket that is a 14mm bolt.
Then remove the 10mm nuts that keep the roof location brackets bolted up, remove the brackets and put washers onto the bolts that point down, start with thin ones and replace the brackets. All you are doing is moving the hole for the locking pin down towards the ground, which in turn pulls the glass further down into the rubbers. Be careful you will come to a point where the roof will not want to lock. So long as the rubber isn't worn out completely and doesn't deteriorate much more, than this is a permanent fix
The above methods won't set you back much - a few £'s max.
3.There are "eccentric guide rods" available - these basically enable the roof to be closed harder than normal therefore compressing worn seals more and hopefully curing the leak. So long as the rubber isn't worn out completely and doesn't deteriorate much more than this is a permanent fix. Get them from Toyota, they are classed as an accessory, and don't cost much more than £3 each (you need 4 though) and 4 M4x10mm screws (90159-40209). Part No: 63283-17040
4. New seals from Toyota - £Ouch (£90+ per side).
5. I all else fails there is a method described on MR2OC/TOC, using mastic sealer:
Clean both seals in the area that is thought to be leaking, squeeze a liberal amount of black silicon sealant onto the seal on the t bar panel side - not the rubber seal side!!
Tear off some cling film and cover the area now spread with the sealant
put the T-bar back on and tighten up as normal, repeat for other side if necessary, wait 24 hrs and then remove t-bars and cling film then replace t-bars. Job done.
If you put the sealant on the t-bars then its doesn't show when the tops are off, and as the tops are stowed away when off no one will need to know.
What happens is that the sealant that has been spread onto the seals is compressed and squeezed by the locked T-bar into the areas with all the gaps and hence fills them. The cling film allows the sealant to dry AND allow you to remove the T-bars later without pulling the new seal off at the same time.
A great idea, but IMHO worth trying the other fixes first.
Hope this helps anyone with leaking roofs, I assume most of these methods will work with other cars using the same T-Bar roof design.
"Life's goal is not to arrive safely at the grave in a well preserved body. But, rather to skid in sideways........
totally worn out and broken, shouting 'Holy ****, WHAT A RIDE!'"
some ingenious ideas as well.
![[Image: LexuS-Copy.jpg]](http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h204/Sparkystav/LexuS-Copy.jpg)
Read my thread here: The Evolution of my Turbo Lexus from NA-Supercharged-Twin Turbo-Massive Single
Please leave your comments.
Sparkystav
30-09-2016, 05:04 AM #2some good info there mate,
some ingenious ideas as well.
Read my thread here: The Evolution of my Turbo Lexus from NA-Supercharged-Twin Turbo-Massive Single
Please leave your comments.
"Life's goal is not to arrive safely at the grave in a well preserved body. But, rather to skid in sideways........
totally worn out and broken, shouting 'Holy ****, WHAT A RIDE!'"
FirebirdPhil
30-09-2016, 09:49 AM #5LOL tea bag springs to mind:p
"Life's goal is not to arrive safely at the grave in a well preserved body. But, rather to skid in sideways........
totally worn out and broken, shouting 'Holy ****, WHAT A RIDE!'"
marsdendean have you got rid of the porsche then?
yes!!
"Life's goal is not to arrive safely at the grave in a well preserved body. But, rather to skid in sideways........
totally worn out and broken, shouting 'Holy ****, WHAT A RIDE!'"
FirebirdPhil
01-10-2016, 05:51 AM #6marsdendean have you got rid of the porsche then?
yes!!
"Life's goal is not to arrive safely at the grave in a well preserved body. But, rather to skid in sideways........
totally worn out and broken, shouting 'Holy ****, WHAT A RIDE!'"
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