Roof Rack Leaks - where to watch

[cbettin]

I recently installed a Baja utility rack on my '13 TE, then put my black TE rails on my wife's '14 SR5. Based on the advice and instructions I found here, I used plenty of silicone around the bolts, etc.

But since I'm paranoid about these types of things.. IF it were to leak, where would said leaks manifest themselves?

Hopefully I did it right, but I want to know where to look just in case so I can address it if need be.

Thanks!
-cb

 

[Stifler]

I would look toward the roof... but thats just me

 

[Swarty]

I would look toward the roof... but thats just me

Seconded.

 

[cbettin]

Very clever. Thanks for being a$$holes.

But there's this thing called a headliner between the my eyes and the roof that might result in water showing up somewhere else - like the floor board or the cargo area.
Just thought someone who had experienced a leak might share where they first noticed it.

Clearly you have not. So carry on.

 

[Stifler]

hey! only my wife calls me an ACEHOLE!:moony:

 

[philsey]

hey! only my wife calls me an ACEHOLE!:moony:

Yeh, keep tellin' yerself that, kay?

 

[Antman]

Very clever. Thanks for being a$$holes.

But there's this thing called a headliner between the my eyes and the roof that might result in water showing up somewhere else - like the floor board or the cargo area.
Just thought someone who had experienced a leak might share where they first noticed it.

Clearly you have not. So carry on.

I'm pretty sure most leaks have been found in the cargo area. There's a thick styrofoam mat under the carpet so wet carpet may not necessarily happen...

Easiest way to tell you have a leak is to park in the sun with the windows all closed up. Condensation inside on the windows =leak.

hey! only my wife calls me an ACEHOLE!:moony:

Mehh- we all call you an A$$Hole, but you're T4R's official A$$Hole so it's all good.

 

[Osmith]

Look at where the headliner meets the side curtain air bags. If you have a leak you will notice it in the back by the windows as well. If you broke the white plastic clips the rain might channel in through. I had a leak and that's where I saw leakage directly under the bolt hole locations. Also if you go through a high pressure car wash... That dumps tons of water while you car isn't moving, that's a good test bc driving 40+ makes the rain move off the roof faster along the channels. Hope that helps

 

[CentcomPete]

Roof rack leak

Look at where the headliner meets the side curtain air bags. If you have a leak you will notice it in the back by the windows as well. If you broke the white plastic clips the rain might channel in through. I had a leak and that's where I saw leakage directly under the bolt hole locations. Also if you go through a high pressure car wash... That dumps tons of water while you car isn't moving, that's a good test bc driving 40+ makes the rain move off the roof faster along the channels. Hope that helps

I replaced the OEM rack with a Trail rack, used silicone around bolts and I have a small leak. I will re-do the bolts and check the areas around bolt holes as well as the seal around the edges of rack bases. I have a faint smell of wet carpet on one side in cargo area. Going to try and pull up carpet in that area tomorrow. Researching past experiences now . . .

 

[cbettin]

Much more helpful. Thanks, guys.

And sorry Stifler, your wife can have her nickname for you back.

 

[Ol'Baditude]

I have a Baja Flat Utility Rack and no silicon was used during the installation. After a few good rainfalls in the spring, leaks occurred and manifested (to the touch and naked eye at least) at the interface between the headliner and the rear pillars(ie: the 4 points where the seatbelts retract into the wall). I originally noticed the issue when I pulled out the seatbelt and it was damp, then noticed the headliner was also wet around the areas mentioned. I took my truck back to the place where it was installed and they neatly packed silicone into the void space in the channel mounting areas and have yet to have another leak.
Unfortunately I was not aware of any leaking problems associated with Baja Racks at the time of installation.