Freedom Panel Center & Rear Leaks

Fig 1: View Of Freedom Panel Center Seal

Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

1 - CENTER SEAL FRONT MOLDED DETAIL

2 - ADHESIVE TAPE RUNS ENTIRE LENGTH OF SEAL

3 - BUTYL

Remove left Freedom Panel.
Inspect the center seal that is attached to the right Freedom Panel. Look for water traces at the front molded detail area. Water collecting along the inboard edge of the panel could travel forward from the rear of the panel. If the seal, is cut/torn/or otherwise damaged, replacement is required.
Lift up the outboard lip on the right Freedom Panel center seal near the front molded detail. Examine area for water entry under adhesive tape and/or butyl that is applied alongside of the tape. Note any areas for repair.

Fig 2: Identifying Hard Top Seal Cup Area
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

1 - CENTER SEAL REAR MOLDED DETAIL

2 - HARD TOP SEAL CUP AREA
Perform similar examination on the rear molded detail area, looking for water traces near the adhesive tape and/or butyl.

If leaks to the interior were at the dial fasteners or the B-pillar area, and no water traces are found on the right Freedom Panel inboard edge or molded detail areas of the seal, look for water traces on the hardtop panel front flange directly below the Freedom Panels. Water collected here can indicate a leak under the Freedom Panel in the "cup" area of the hard top seal. This type of leak could be a leak path under the hard top seal center mold, or a path past the foam under the right Freedom Panel rear molded detail.

Fig 3: Identifying Foam & Butyl Location

Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

1 - EDGE OF FOAM MUST NOT EXTEND PAST TIP OF "D" SECTION ON SEAL

2 - "D" SECTION

3 - BUTYL MUST BE PRESENT TO BLOCK WATER PATH BELOW "D" SECTION

Remove right Freedom Panel & set on work table, protecting edges & top surface from damage. Proceed with repairing the seal area on the right Freedom Panel.
IF center seal replacement is required, remove old seal and clean seal mounting surfaces of residual adhesive tape. Apply repair butyl. to the front and rear ends of the seal mounting zone. Remove tape liner from new seal. Locate seal at each end onto panel, pressurize each end. Proceed to pressurize center section, ensuring good, continuous adhesion.
If seal replacement is not required, add small amounts of repair butyl, to any areas of water entry found along the center seal of the Freedom Panel. Replace the foam on the front detail or the foam under the rear detail if it is damaged or missing with replacement closed cell foam in kit.
If the leak path is under the hard top seal center mold, repair with butyl sealer.
Replace the Freedom Panels on the vehicle, right side first, followed by the left side. Proceed to position and clamp them in the correct sequence according to the owner's manual. When installing the Freedom Panels always close the windshield latch first.
Retest to verify that the leak corrected.