B-Pillar - Water Leak/Wind Noise W/Hardtop Attached

Bulletin No. T 87-128
File in Group 10
Number 96
Corp. Ref. No. 711510
Date July '87
SUBJECT: WATER LEAK/WIND NOISE AT B-PILLAR WITH HARDTOP INSTALLED

MODELS AFFECTED: 1987 ALLANTE

Some 1987 Allantes may experience a water leak/wind noise at the B-pillar area. This condition may be caused by clearance between the weatherstrip and door glass. To diagnose this condition, the following procedures may be used.

A. Diagnosis of Water Leak/Wind Noise

1. Close all doors, windows and the close-out panel behind the seats.

2. With the vehicle at idle, engage defrost mode and turn the fan to high.

3. Using a powder gun (ear syringe), blow the powder thoroughly around the entire B-pillar. Note any areas in which the powder blows by the weatherstrip and is noticeable from the exterior of the vehicle.

4. Note any areas in which a leak is present and refer to the appropriate procedures below.

Figure 1 - B-Pillar:

B. Wind Noise/Water Leak at Vertical Portion of B-Pillar (Figure 1)
1. Remove hardtop and place top-down on a smooth protected surface.

2. Remove the B-pillar garnish molding.

Figure 2 - B-Pillar Weatherstrip Brackets:

3. Loosen the three screws securing the B-pillar weatherstrip bracket to the hardtop (Figure 2).
4. Reposition the weatherstrip bracket outboard so that the weatherstrip will seal against the door glass.

5. Reinstall all trim items, secure the hardtop to the vehicle and repeat Procedure A.

Figure 3 - Base of B-Pillar:

C. Wind Noise/Water Leak at Base of B-Pillar (Figure 3)

NOTE: This leak may not appear during Procedure A. It may be reported as a wind noise at the base of the B-Pillar while driving.
1. Remove the hardtop and place on a soft, protected surface.

Figure 4 - Template for B-Pillar Patch:

2. Using a foam pad, such as vinyl, top padding, (P/N 20064250), approximately 1/8 inch thick, cut the foam into the shape shown in Figure 4.

Figure 5 - Fill Area As Shown:

Figure 6 - Foam Patch:

3. Fill the area shown in Figure 5 with windshield butyl tape or equivalent until the tape is flush with the base of the B-Pillar and press foam patch onto the top as shown in Figure 6.

4. Secure the hardtop to the vehicle.
For warranty purposes, use the following Labor Operations.

Labor Op Description Time

T6233 Repositioning Vertical .5
Hardtop Weatherstrip

T6234 Installing Patch at .5
Base of B-Pillar