Body - Water Leak At Top Of A-Pillar
NUMBER: 23-016-07GROUP: Body
DATE: May 24, 2007
SUBJECT:
Water Leak At A-Pillar Due To Windshield Header Seal Adhesive
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves replacement of the windshield header seal.
MODELS:
2007 (JK) Wrangler
NOTE:
This bulletin applies to vehicles built on are between March 07, 2007 (MDH 0307XX) to March 14, 2007 (MDH 0314XX).
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The customer may notice a water leak at the top of either left or right A-Pillar. The source of the water leak may be the adhesive used to retain the outer ends of the windshield header seal to the top of the windshield frame. The adhesive may degrade over time and loose its capability to adhere to surfaces.
DIAGNOSIS:
1. Determined if the source of the water leak, at the top corner of the A-Pillar, is between the windshield frame and windshield header seal.
2. Determine if the adhesive sealer on the windshield header seal has lifted from the top outer corner of the windshield frame.
3. If the above condition is present perform the Repair Procedure.
PARTS REQUIRED:
REPAIR PROCEDURE:
1. If not already removed:
a. If hard top equipped, remove the left and right front sections of the Freedom Top.
b. If soft top equipped, release the soft top from the windshield header and partially fold back, out of the way.
2. Carefully remove the rivet at each end (side) of the old windshield header seal.
3. Remove from the windshield frame the old windshield header seal and the two pieces of black tape at each top corner of the windshield frame.
4. Thoroughly clean the top of the windshield frame of any old adhesive residue.
5. Remove the two blue header seal adhesive release liners (one on left side and one on the right side).
6. Pull back the red release liner about 100 mm (4 in.) from each end of the its header seal adhesive. DO NOT completely remove the red release liner at this time.
7. Loosely position the header seal to the windshield frame.
8. Closely inspect that the header seal end details fit correctly at the top corners of the windshield frame. Insure that the rivet holes in the seal line up with the holes in the windshield frame. Verify that the lip of the header seal fits properly onto the A-Pillar windshield frame flange.
9. Slowly push the header seal channel (the extrusion portion of the seal) onto the windshield frame.
10. Install a new rivet at each end of the windshield header seal.
NOTE:
When installing the new windshield header seal, make sure that the leading edge of the new seal is not overflush to the windshield frame. This may cause a wind-like sound.
NOTE:
Be careful when applying the adhesive tape to the windshield header that no gaps or wrinkles occur in the adhesive tape. This may cause a water leak later on.
11. Completely remove the red header seal adhesive release liner from the back of the seal.
12. Carefully secure the header seal to the windshield frame. Verify that the header seal is not overflush to the windshield frame.
13. Apply firm pressure to the header seal and adhesive, to bond the header seal to the windshield frame.
14. Verify that the new windshield header seal is correctly installed.
15. Install the hard or soft top to the windshield header.
POLICY:
Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.
TIME ALLOWANCE:
FAILURE CODE:
Disclaimer:
This bulletin is supplied as technical information only and is not an authorization for repair.