Leaks from the shaved roof rack

[killthewabbit]

So, just got my 99 Tahoe 2door 2wd a couple weeks ago. Someone before me removed the roof rack, but the holes remain. Two have the cut off bolts in them, but 6 holes still have holes that water could get through. It rained once last week and I noticed a big drip inside. Today I tried to seal that one up and clean/reseal the other holes with black gasket maker. Since this is a thread now, you can guess my results.

Point of all this is, what did everyone who shaved their rack use to seal up the holes? Any ideas? Obviously I'd love to get them welded up and painted, but what should I use in the meantime? I'm gonna vote against black gasket maker.

[1badgmc]

I had a '99 Yukon that I had the billet plates to cover the holes with. Just a small amount of clear silicone to attach them and I never had any issues.




I currently have a '98 Suburban. I don't have the billet plates this time, so I just filled the threaded holes with silicone. It's been that way for over 4 years now without any issues.

[killthewabbit]

Thanks for the reply. Where did you get those billet plates? I like those a lot.

I think I'm going to clean out the gasket sealer today and try some silicone

[likaroc13]

Last I looked, they don't produce those billet plates anymore. I was also gonna say silicone, as that's what I had read about when searching once before. I also read where someone used some plugs they found at Home Depot/Lowe's. That's what mine looks to have as well, but they were there when I got it.

[1badgmc]

Originally Posted by killthewabbit

Thanks for the reply. Where did you get those billet plates? I like those a lot.

I had bought them second-hand from a friend several years ago. Empire Motorsports was the last place I saw that had them, but that was several years ago. I don't know that they can be found anywhere anymore.

[killthewabbit]

Gonna try the plugs and silicone. Thanks fellas

[killthewabbit]

Tried the plugs and silicone. Still leaked. Luckily (or unluckily, I suppose), it's been raining a lot here lately so I have ample opportunity to troubleshoot.

After the plugs/silicone didn't work, I got desperate and tried some red duct tape over the holes. That didn't work either.

After eliminating everything else, I got a glass guy to come remove the side glass and reinstall it. The top edge of the glass wasn't sealed at all. He re-glued it and it's sitting outside in the rain now. Just checked, and it's dry inside.

[1badgmc]

Tracing the wrong leak. What a pain!

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by 1badgmc

Tracing the wrong leak. What a pain!

x2!

Glad you got it figured out though. I had a spot on top of the side glass where the seal lifted a bit as well, & I took it by an auto glass shop to have it glued back down. Didn't wanna take any chances of it leaking! It would be nice to replace the whole seal, as it has gotten a bit weathered & curls in a few places. However from what I've researched, you have to replace the whole side glass to replace that seal.

[killthewabbit]

Yeah, glad it's fixed. Was pulling my hair out for a bit there. Glad to be able to check that one off the list.

I was looking at the glass when it was out, and that seal is attached to the glass somehow. I don't think you could replace one without the other.