[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/includes/functions.php on line 4280: ob_start(): output handler 'ob_gzhandler' conflicts with 'zlib output compression'
The MGF Register Forums • Hard top leaking on MGTF
Page 1 of 1

Hard top leaking on MGTF

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2024 1:09 am
by Marge
Hi and Happy New Year!

I’m new to this! I’ve an MGTF 135 2005. I’ve got the hard top on for winter but I’ve noticed the rubber edge on the drivers side which is supposed to form a seal with the door glass is allowing water in, so needs replacing.
Any ideas where I get a replacement please? Rimmer Bros no longer supply!
Many thanks
Margaret

Re: Hard top leaking on MGTF

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2024 6:28 pm
by mgtfnut
Might not be as simple as replacing the seal if you can find one. Quiet often the soft top and the hard top have different "profiles" and can be infuriating to sort out. It's taken a few years to get to the stage where both roofs fit sort of properly!

A few things to check: have the door hinges worn and can the handle end of the door be pulled upwards to reveal worn hinges, which makes the door drop and the seal less likely to have enough contact to seal effectively. New hinges or adjustment to make the door shut lines look more neat.
Then you can adjust the window height - but this takes endless trial and error. Guides are available on the web, factory one are best.
You can also try lowering the hardtop catches at the rear, which will lower the rear of the roof slightly and increase pressure on the window seal contact - this would be my first option :thumbsu:
The cars left the factory most probably ok, but wear/ tear over the years gives rise to these annoying glitches! It can be intensely long winded and frustrating to get to an satisfactory conclusion, but try all the easy things first :roll:

New door seals are one of the very few spare parts no longer made, tooling costs appear to be prohibitive - but it is probably important enough for some people to get rid of the car - I've been tempted a couple times, but this is part of the fun of having a MG-R car :?

Re: Hard top leaking on MGTF

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2024 7:48 pm
by Marge
Hi and very many thanks!
I had the door hinges replaced last year because the door had dropped. I’m a bit loathed to raise the door glass because I don’t have this problem with the soft top.
I’ll see if I can lower the hard top catches at the rear but I’ve also sent off for some black rubber edging which I’m going to try to wedge in to the folds of the hard top rubber to push it out more.
Many thanks again!
Margaret

Re: Hard top leaking on MGTF

Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2024 4:49 pm
by Notanumber
I think it is just something we have to work with.

I had to raise my window stops in order to make a proper seal with the hardtop despite the height being fine for the soft top. There is every chance I will find the windows will be too high now when i go back to the soft top but if thats the case i will just adjust them again to suit. Once youve done it once It only takes half an hour to remove both door cards and adjust the height stops. Doing that twice a year isnt too bad.

Re: Hard top leaking on MGTF

Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2024 11:42 am
by Rob Bell
Just echoing everyone's comments here, especially Jerry's: getting both the hard top and soft top to seal perfectly is a swine of a job, and they were a pain to get right, even when new... but with 20 year old rubber seals, things are just harder now (no pun intended!)