Date:         Tue, 12 Jan 1999 12:18:02 -0500
Reply-To:     "W. Silva" <wsilva@CAPECOD.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "W. Silva" <wsilva@CAPECOD.NET>
Subject:      Re: camper tops
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

We experienced the "drum roll" noise last Sunday for 70 miles of expressway
driving.  I was just about deaf.  I'm not sure what causes it but I suspect
that when the rubber gromets that encase the screws that hold to luggage
rack down get either old and dry or cold and brittle they expand somewhat,
lifting tthe top from its original position.  Our new luggage rack seal
came with new grommets which we didn't put on.  I think that was a mistake.
 Last summer someone on the list suggested that someone weighing around
100-130 lbs sit in the luggage rack and at the same time tighten the
screws.  I would think this would help too but only in the warm weather
(which is not where I am)  As to the main poptop seal

We replaced our poptop seal with an aftermarket seal from the Bus Boys (pre
Ron) and THOUGHT it was good until we realized that the "leading edge" part
of the seal was nothing but the same design as the rest of the pop top.
After much research we found someone to sell us just the "flat" leading
edge seal.  This was a bugger to install and had to be fused onto the
poptop seal with messy gunk and is still not as good as the original-it is
not as deep, doesn't extend onto the luggage racktop as far as the original
one.

I now have to replace the entire thing again because it's leaking air and
billowing out the canvas as you drive.  Does anyone know of a pop top seal
replacement other than OEM that is one piece and includes the FLAT seal in
front that is guarenteed to fit?

Wendy & John
Cape Cod, MA

'85 Westy,