Jeep Wrangler

Diagnosis & Repair Manual

Water Leaks

Rev. A
 General Notes

1. This manual applies to all Jeep models: 2/4 door & Hard/Soft Top

2. Before testing the vehicle, perform a review of the top system. Make sure all the latches
are engaged, none of the top seals are puckered or distorted, the door seals are
installed correctly, the tops are not out of alignment, etc.

3. Each leak area can have multiple root causes, as noted in the diagnosis tree. It is
important to water test each repair before starting the next.

4. If a leak cannot be reproduced, it is due to the period of time the vehicle is under wet
conditions. Some leaks may take hours before leaking.

5. If a leak cannot be reproduced, apply all the repairs to the applicable areas as noted in
the diagnosis road map.

6. When the door is open, there is water run off from the roof that can soak the carpet. Be
sure to explain to the customer that this cannot be fixed. This is an unfortunate
condition with this type of vehicle, similar to convertibles.

7. It is important to understand where the leak ENDS up when diagnosing the vehicle.
Where the leak ends up, does not always explain where the leak originates. Refer to the
diagnosis tree when determining which repairs to perform.

8. This repair procedure does NOT cover every possible water leak on the Jeep Wrangler.
The issues identified in this document are the major leaks that show up in the field.

9. Generally, a car wash is the preferred method to diagnose a vehicle.

10. If a hose is required, place on the top of the vehicle facing forward making sure water is
getting to all areas. Do NOT directly spray in the area of question. This can create a
“false” leak that cannot be fixed.

11. This manual is not intended to be a service manual. The content identifies the major
areas of water leaks, the critical characteristics of each area and how to repair them.

READ FIRST READ FIRST

i
 Diagnosis Road Map

JK Hard/Soft Top

Water is on center of Instrument Water is on door trim panel or Water at Rear Hard Top Panel / Water is on front carpet
Panel / Shifter Instrument Panel at A-pillar B-pillar

Freedom Top Windshield Header Hard Top Seal Rear Wheel Flare
(Pages 6-11) Seal (Pages 12-14) Holes
(Pages 1-2) (Pages 17-18)

Door Fit B-Pillar Cowl Side Panel

(Page 3) Mucket/Foam (Pages 19-20)
(Pages 15-16)

Area of leaks Door Primary

Seal

Repair Procedures A-Pillar

Mucket/Foam
(Pages 4-5)

ii
 Table of Contents

I. Diagnosis Road Map i

II. General Notes ii

III. Water leak on Door Trim or Instrument Panel

a) Repair procedure for Windshield Header Seal 1-2
b) Repair procedure for Door Fits 3
c) Repair procedure for A-pillar mucket/foam 4-5

IV. Water leak on Instrument Panel/Console Center

a) Repair procedure for Freedom Panel Seal 6-11
b) Repair procedure for Freedom Panel latches 11

V. Water leak at B-plr

a) Repair procedure for Hard Top Seal 12-14
b) Repair procedure for B-pillar Mucket 15-16

VI. Water leak on front carpet

a) Repair procedure for rear wheel flare hole 17-18
b) Repair procedure for cowl side leaks 19-20

VII. Appendix
a) Foam Kit 21
b) Replacement part numbers 22

iii
 Windshield Header Seal Repair Procedure

AREA OF LEAK:

• This repair procedure is applicable

when water is evident on the:

o Door trim panel

or
o Instrument panel (a-pillar)

STEP 1: Remove Header Seal

• Figure 1

Figure 1
STEP 2: Remove/Clean Surface

• Remove all butyl and tape residue

• A rubber wheel bit can be used

• Clean surface with 3M adhesive

cleaner

• Alcohol wipe entire surface and allow

to dry

Figure 2
Labor Op. Code: 235135 1
 Windshield Header Seal Repair Procedure

STEP 3: Install Butyl

Where to
• NOTE: This operation is only place butyl
applicable for vehicles built before
6/1/2008. Vehicles built after this
date, should already have sealer
present in this area.

• Install 4mm butyl (68027813AA) as

shown (Figure 4)

• Make sure to fill in all holes, wrinkles

and step offs to allow for a smooth
surface to bond the tape/butyl from
the new seal
Figure 3
• NOTE: Excessive amount of butyl
can cause transition voids/leaks.
Make sure to smooth out butyl.
Butyl

Figure 4
STEP 4: Install Seal

• Locate and install new seal, Pt #:

55397454AE
Line seal
• Remove release tape and pressurize
seal firmly in contact with header up here
sheet metal to smooth out adhesive
tape and butyl, starting at the ends
and working toward the center. A
small roller or firm finger pressure
should be used to insure the tape is
adhered completely from side to side,
THIS STEP IS CRITICAL

Critical area to pressurize

Labor Op. Code: 235135 Figure 5 2
 Door Fit Repair Procedure

AREA OF LEAK:

• This repair procedure is applicable

when water is evident on the:

o Door trim panel

or
o Instrument panel (a-pillar)

STEP 1: Door Gap Checks

• Measure door gaps

• The specifications are as follows:

• The gap spec. is 5.0 +/- 2.0 mm

• The flush spec. is 0.0 +/- 2.0 mm

• If the door fit is not to spec, proceed

to Step 2

STEP 2: Adjust Doors

• Adjust the door gap and flushness as

described in DealerConnect>
TechCONNECT under: Service info>
23 – Body> Body Structure> Gap and Figure 6
Flush> Specifications Service Manual

STEP 3: Replace Door Primary Seal

• If the doors are adjusted, the door

seal must be replaced

• Part #: 55395274/5AN

Figure 7
Labor Op. Code: 230010 3
 A-Pillar Foam/Mucket Repair Procedure

AREA OF LEAK:

• This repair procedure is applicable

when water is evident on the:

o Door Trim Panel

STEP 1: Header Mucket

• NOTE: This issue/repair applies to

both hard and soft top vehicles

• Inspect the header seal mucket for

the seal rolled under the freedom
panel or side rail. (Figure 8)

BAD

Figure 8

• If the seal is folded under, remove the

freedom panel or side rail and re-
install making sure not to distort the
mucket (Figure 9)

GOOD

Labor Op. Code: Figure 9 4

 A-Pillar Foam/Mucket Repair Procedure

STEP 2: A-Pillar Foam

• NOTE: This issue/repair applies to

both hard and soft top vehicles

• Inspect the freedom panel or side rail

for damaged/missing foam
(Figure 10)

• If the foam is damaged or missing,

replace the foam using the foam kit
(68026937AB) BAD

Figure 10

GOOD

Figure 11

STEP 2: Foam Installation

• Install the foam to the freedom panel

as shown in Figure 12

• The foam installation is similar for

the soft top rail

RH Panel
Shown

Figure 12
Labor Op. Code: 5
 B-Pillar Mucket/Foam Seal Repair

AREA OF LEAK:

• This repair procedure is applicable

when water is evident on the:

o Instrument panel (Center)

or
o Console / Shifter

RIGHT HAND FREEDOM PANEL

STEP 1: Seal Removal

• Remove seal on Right panel

Figure 13

STEP 2: Tape and Butyl Removal

• Remove tape and butyl residue from

panel

• A rubber wheel bit can be used

• Clean Seal Surface with: 3M General

Purpose Adhesive Cleaner or Kent
Products Acrysol, (if available) and
allow to dry completely Figure 14

• Wipe seal surface with alcohol and

allow to dry completely.

Figure 15
Labor Op. Code: 6
 B-Pillar Mucket/Foam Seal Repair

STEP 3: Butyl Installation

REAR
• Place right hand freedom panel
upside down on a covered surface to
prevent scratching

FRONT

Figure 16
• Apply 4 mm diameter Butyl, Pt #
68027813AA, to Rear Notch (Figure
17) REAR

• Note: Follow groove between panels

and push butyl firmly in place

20mm

15mm

Figure 17
• Apply 4 mm diameter Butyl, Pt #
68027813AA, to Front Notch
(Figure 18) FRONT

• Note: Follow groove between panels 15mm

and push butyl firmly in place

20mm

Labor Op. Code: Figure 18 7

 B-Pillar Mucket/Foam Seal Repair

REAR
STEP 4: Seal Installation

• Keep freedom panel upside down for

the initial installation of the seal

• Remove tape liner from seal

NOTE: Secure the end molds first, then

finish with the middle of the seal
FRONT

Figure 19
Rear Seal Mold

• Align REAR edge of NEW seal, Pt #

55397095AG to Right Freedom Panel
Notch.

• Compress butyl by installing seal in

direction of arrows (Figure 20)

• Note: No gap between installed seal

and outer edge of freedom panels.
(Figure 20)
Rear Mold

Figure 20
Front Seal Mold

• Align FRONT edge of NEW seal, Pt #

55397095AG to Right Freedom Panel
Notch

• Compress butyl by installing seal in

direction of arrows (Figure 21)

• Note: No gap between installed seal

and outer edge of freedom panels.
(Figure 21)

Front Mold

Labor Op. Code: Figure 21 8

 B-Pillar Mucket/Foam Seal Repair

STEP 5: Pressurize Seal

• Flip panel back over to complete the

seal installation

• Locate seal cross car against the

middle rib in the freedom panel and
pressurize starting at the ends and
working toward the center

• A small roller or firm finger pressure

should be used to insure the seal
tape is adhered from front to rear,
THIS STEP IS CRITICAL

Figure 22

This photo is for

reference only. Panel
was cut to show rib.

Locator rib in panel

Figure 23
STEP 6: Install foam at Front

• Install GREY 30 X 75 mm Foam from

kit (68026937AB) along trim lines of
flame tip (Figure 24)

• NOTE: Make sure foam covers butyl

completely

Front of panel

Figure 24
Labor Op. Code: 9
 B-Pillar Mucket/Foam Seal Repair

STEP 7: Install foam at Rear

• Install BLACK 30 X 75 mm Foam from

kit (68026937AB) along trim lines of
flame tip (Figure 25)

• NOTE: Make sure foam covers butyl

completely

Figure 25

LEFT HAND FREEDOM PANEL

REAR

STEP 8: Install butyl at Rear

• Place Left hand freedom panel

upside down on a covered surface to
prevent scratching

• Add 4mm diameter butyl,

(68027813AA) to rear inboard corner
groove (Figure 27)

Figure 26
• Note: Push butyl firmly into groove
between panels until flush

70 mm

25 mm

Figure 27

Labor Op. Code: 10

 B-Pillar Mucket/Foam Seal Repair

STEP 9: Install foam at Rear

• Add 30 X 75 mm Black Foam from Kit

(68026937AB) to cover butyl
(Figure 28)

• NOTE: Make sure foam covers butyl

completely

Figure 28

STEP 10: Install front latches

• NOTE: This applies to both Right and

Left panels

• If the vehicle MDH is prior to 12/07/07,

replace the front latches with part
number 68004562AB (Figure 29)

Figure 29
Labor Op. Code: 11
 B-Pillar Mucket/Foam Seal Repair

AREA OF LEAK:

• This repair procedure is applicable

when water is evident on the:

o B-pillar roll bar

o B-pillar trim
o Freedom panel screw holes

NOTE: Water that enters anywhere along

the hard top seal can travel over to the B-
pillar and leak from the hard top

STEP 1: Inspect Hard Top Seal

• Inspect for any gaps between the

seal and hard top (Figure 30,31)

Figure 30

Figure 31
Labor Op. Code: 12
 B-Pillar Mucket/Foam Seal Repair

STEP 1: Inspect Hard Top Seal • Inspect underneath the seal for any
(cont.) skips with the tape/butyl along the
entire seal (Figure 34 & 35).
• Inspect the end molds for poor
installation (Figure 32)

BAD GAP

Figure 34

Figure 32

GOOD GAP TAPE SKIP

Figure 35

Figure 33

Labor Op. Code: 13

 B-Pillar Mucket/Foam Seal Repair

STEP 2: Replace Hard Top Seal

ƒ If there are multiple skips or the leak

cannot be stopped, replace seal.

ƒ Remove all tape/butyl and clean with

alcohol prior to installation

ƒ A rubber wheel bit can be used to

remove the tape
Apply butyl
ƒ Pre-apply butyl (68027813AA) on as shown
hard top prior to installing the seal
(Figure 36)
Figure 36
ƒ It is critical that then end molds are
installed correctly and sufficient
pressure is applied to wet out the
butyl/tape (Figure 36) 2mm
underflush

Pressurize

Figure 37

Labor Op. Code: 14

 B-Pillar Mucket/Foam Seal Repair

AREA OF LEAK:

• This repair procedure is applicable

when water is evident on the:

o B-plr trim or seat

NOTE: This repair applies to 4 door hard

top or soft top models

STEP 1: Inspect mucket detail

ƒ Inspect the mucket for a rolled under

condition (Figure 38)

ƒ Inspect the mucket for a missing

drain hole

STEP 2: Replace the mucket detail BAD

ƒ If either of these conditions exist,
replace the mucket detail
(Part #:55395708/9AE) Figure 38

ƒ Reinstall the panel or side rail making

sure not to distort the mucket

GOOD

Figure 39
Labor Op. Code: 15
 B-Pillar Mucket/Foam Seal Repair

STEP 3: Inspect Freedom Panel for

damaged or missing foam

• If the foam is damaged or missing,

replace the foam using the foam kit
(68026937AB)

RH Panel
Shown

Figure 40
STEP 4: Add additional foam to
freedom panel
ƒ Add a piece of foam to the freedom
panel as shown in Figure 41. This
foam can be created by cutting the 30
x 75mm GREY foam in half from the
foam kit (68026937AB)

ƒ Figure 41

NOTE: This foam is in addition to the foam

that is already on the panel
FOAM

Figure 41

Labor Op. Code: 16

 Rear Wheel Flare Hole Repair

AREA OF LEAK:

• This repair procedure is applicable

when water is evident on the:

o Front floor (wet carpet)

o Under seat
Leak Path

NOTE: This leak can be diagnosed by

applying a hose to the upper rear flare and
inspecting for water traveling along the
floor to the front

STEP 1: Remove Rear Flare

STEP 2: Replace/Install Patch

Hole : 1

NOTE: Vehicles built prior to 5/28/08 will

require this repair

• Inspect the body for missing or mis-

aligned tape over the hole as seen in
Figure 43

ƒ Add/Replace a tape patch over the

hole Figure 42

Hole: 2

NOTE: Vehicles built prior to 5/01/09 will

require this repair 1
2
• Inspect the body for missing or mis-
aligned tape over the hole as seen in
Figure 43

ƒ Add/Replace a tape patch over the

hole

Labor Op. Code: Figure 43 17

 Rear Wheel Flare Hole Repair

Hole: 3

NOTE: Vehicles built prior to 7/22/08 will

require this repair

• Cut the BLACK 30 x 75 foam from the

foam kit (68026937AB) in half and
apply over this hole (Figure 45)

ƒ Make sure the foam does not extend

past the flare trim line (appearance
issue)

ƒ Re-install flare
Figure 44

Figure 45

Labor Op. Code: 18

 Cowl Side Panel Repair

AREA OF LEAK:

• This repair procedure is applicable

when water is evident on the:

o Front floor (wet carpet)

NOTE: These leaks can be diagnosed by

applying a hose in the cowl panel (Figure
47).

Leak area

Figure 46

Apply hose
in cowl area

Figure 47
Labor Op. Code: 235001 19
 Cowl Side Panel Repair

Condition 1: Mastic patches/Plugs _-

Repair 1: Replace patch/plug

Condition 2: Check strap bracket

1
Repair 2: Remove bracket and apply a butyl
5
to holes

1
Condition 3: Seam sealer skips
3 3
Repair 3: Apply clear sealer
(part #: 04467708) to skip 1
2

Condition 4: Scuff trim foam damaged/missing 1

Repair 4: Replace trim clips

4
Condition 5: Antenna grommet not seated

Repair 5: Re-install grommet

Figure 48

Labor Op. Code: 235001 20

 Appendix

Foam Kit: 68026937AB

A/B-Pillar Foam 30 mm x 75mm BLACK Foam 30 mm x 75mm GREY Foam

ƒ Used on Pages (5,16,) ƒ Used on Pages (10,11) ƒ Used on Pages (9,16)

Labor Op. Code: 21

 Appendix

Jeep Wrangler
Replacement Parts List

Part # Part Name Page(s)

68027813AA Butyl 2,7,10,14

04467708 Clear Sealer 20
68026937AB Foam Kit 5,9-11,16
55397454AE Windshield Header Seal 2
55395274/5AN Front Door Primary Seal 3
55395708/9AE B-Pillar Mucket 15
55397095AG Freedom Panel Seal 8
55397046AF Hard Top Seal 4DR 14
55397058AF Hard Top Seal 2DR 14
68004562AB Freedom Panel Latch 11

Labor Op. Code: 22