1. When I fold the front section of my soft top back, the first velcro section that wraps around the lateral bow comes loose and will not stay on and allow the top to fold back. Is this normal?

2. When I first bought my JK several weeks ago (2007 with only 2,000 miles on the clock) the top seemed like it had never been opened. It was very tight with no wind noise. I drove it home it those torrential rains that we were getting several weeks ago in SoCal, and no real noise. Also, no leaks at all. Once I opened the top, now I am getting a lot more wind noise and also two minor leaks (at the car wash) at the front header on either side of the rear view mirror. Other than the incoming wise ass comment about get a hard top, is there anything I can do to loose the wind noise?

What about some extra weather stripping?

THanks

 

Yeah, when you lift it off for the first time you break the seal the weatherstripping has made. It's a tough battle to win. Make sure you're putting the soft top correctly on the header. If it's not on perfectly you'll get more wind noise.

 

Car washes are no Bueno for soft-top! I have learned that and besides if you load pix of a clean jeep on this sight you WILL get crap for it! I've learned that too.... Welcome to the club!!

 

First off, I take my soft top through the car wash about once a month and have not had any problems yet. There is just a little seepage around the back window. I like a clean Jeep and it keeps my plastic windows clean without scratching them.
Secondly, make sure you have had the header bow replaced with the new steel reinforced version. This will take care of a lot of your noise and leaks.
Finally, When you put the front section of the top back, be sure to push the top bow back with your hand and not just let it drag. Also, fold the front senction of the top so the top material rests over the back bow and does not hang over the back seat. There is a good video at the Jeep official site about putting the top down.

 

I also like to wipe the weather strip and the area where it seals before I close up shop.

 

i have noticed that if i just unfold the top and let it drop back into place sometimes the front weather stripping doesn't sit just right and i get alot of noise but if its sitting properly and clamped down it seems just as good as it was new

 

Your best bet for getting a tight seal is to secure the front clamps then go to the rear and pull the top and insert into the channels. As far as the car wash goes, the only reason you shouldn't take it is because of the highly abrasive chemicals in the soap. It will, if frequented will deteriorate the vinyl. You should use a mild soap then a vinyl protector. Just like you should lube your zippers every oil change. And to keep your plastic fenders from fading you should use armor all. This is kind of inspiring me to start a car washing thread all though most of us hardly wash our jeeps. But i don't play the macho role. Mine, during the summer is washed once a week(especially BEFORE i go off roading i like to see it go from shiny to muddy), weather permitting and as often as possible during the winter. Salt is no beuno. Sorry for the rant, no disrespect, remember it's more then a JEEP, it's a way of life.

 

Thanks for all the replies but I do not know if I got an answer to one of my questions: Is it normal for the first row of horizontal velcro that wraps around the front bow to have to be taken loose to fold the top back?

 

No. you should not have to take this off. something is wrong or you're doing something wrong. Maybe stop by the dealer and put the top down with one of the servicereps to see what the problem is. I have never taken any of the velcro loose except on the side windows.