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Roof Rack Keeps Leaking

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by xp0nex, Apr 11, 2025.

  1. Apr 11, 2025 at 8:28 PM
    #1
    xp0nex

    xp0nex [OP] Taco Noob

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    I Have a Sherpa Grand Teton and I’ve been dealing with leaks.

    During install I didn’t apply any silicone as the Sherpa doesn’t require it as it uses those large rubber feet and bonded washers to keep water out.

    The times that it’s leaked I’ve noticed water on my drivers / passenger floor mat and I notice the mounting bolts appear to loosen up. If I tighten them the leaks go away. During the initial install I applied thread locker and during the second time I’ve cleaned the threads and applied thread locker again but they just keep loosening up again. The instructions state to tighten the mounting bolts down until the bonded washers are flat but not so tight that they concave. Doesn’t seem to get very tight before the washers go flat and maybe that’s why they keep loosening up?

    Should I be tightening the bolts every other week or something? Seems a bit excessive if that’s the case. I plan on pulling the rack in the summer and apply silicone. Will the silicone also act like thread locker? So it’ll keep those bolts from loosening up as I’m getting tired of getting into the truck and seeing puddles on the floor mats.
     
  2. Apr 12, 2025 at 5:14 AM
    #2
    DTaco18

    DTaco18 Well-Known Member

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    If you can access the bolts without pulling the rack, then maybe try vibra-tite tape instead of thread locker?
     
    SH10151, Kolter45 and musicisevil like this.
  3. Apr 12, 2025 at 5:17 AM
    #3
    BabyBilly

    BabyBilly Well-Known Member

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    Just fill the holes with RTV and re-install the bolts. Many of us have had leak-free roof racks for years using that method.
     
    SH10151, Unorgnl-V, Kolter45 and 3 others like this.
  4. Apr 12, 2025 at 7:24 AM
    #4
    xp0nex

    xp0nex [OP] Taco Noob

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    I was throwing around the idea of removing one screw at a time, applying silicone around the entire screw, and then putting it back in and retightening it. However, if it's going to work better by applying silicone directly into the bolt holes then I'd rather just do it right and pull the entire rack.
     
    BabyBilly[QUOTED] likes this.
  5. Apr 12, 2025 at 8:16 AM
    #5
    Williston

    Williston Well-Known Member

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    Vehicle:
    2014 Tacoma 040 SR5 4x4 DC SB V6 AT5 Tow Pkg Entune+ Mostly stock with a few OEM mods.
    Stock (99.999%) OEM Bed Floor Mat, Front Bed Rail Cargo Net and hooks, Auto-Dim mirror w/Compass and outside Temperature display, TRD Pro Grille, Uni-Filter air pump modification, WeatherTech floor liners f/r. (winter) OEM All-Weather floor mats (summer).
    First thing I thought of reading this post was try some Teflon Tape on the threads. I have used it on all kinds of bolt and pipe threads (such as water supply pipes under pressure with leak-free results. Follow the instructi, ons. You don't need too much: a couple of or three turns should do it.
     
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2025
    SH10151 likes this.
  6. Apr 12, 2025 at 8:41 AM
    #6
    BabyBilly

    BabyBilly Well-Known Member

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    I think you'd be fine doing it one bolt at a time. Just remove the bolt and then fill the entire hole with RTV (this is not a thing where you want to be frugal with the RTV) then replace the bolt and clean the excess.
     
    Malvolio likes this.
  7. Apr 12, 2025 at 9:17 AM
    #7
    eurowner

    eurowner Duke Sky

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  8. Apr 12, 2025 at 6:38 PM
    #8
    xp0nex

    xp0nex [OP] Taco Noob

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  9. Apr 13, 2025 at 6:49 AM
    #9
    Tocamo

    Tocamo .

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    GOOP works great as a waterproofing, and thread locker.

    I put that shit on everything.......

    [​IMG]
     
    Kolter45 likes this.
  10. Apr 13, 2025 at 6:03 PM
    #10
    908tacoma

    908tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Butyl tape around screw holes
     
  11. Apr 13, 2025 at 6:07 PM
    #11
    fiftysix

    fiftysix Mell-Known Wember

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    I have the same rack, no leaks. Iirc the instructions said make sure not to over tighten the bolts, and tighten until you see rubber coming out of sides. I could be wrong, idk anything
     
  12. Apr 14, 2025 at 11:19 AM
    #12
    cbouch001

    cbouch001 Well-Known Member

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    Hands down best sealant for anything water related is Sikaflex.
    Used for my alucab and roof rack (prinsu)
    You could remove the bolt and the little spacer (if your rack has that) place all around the hole , press spacer down and then goop around that too and then clout bolt back . 908tacoma is also correct you can use butyl tape in the threads .
     
  13. Apr 14, 2025 at 12:51 PM
    #13
    xp0nex

    xp0nex [OP] Taco Noob

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    The rack uses those big thick rubber feet wouldn’t this just create gaps between the roof and the rubber feet?

    The instruction says until the washers are flat but not concave. Does your bolts loosen up? Every time it leaks the bolts are always loose. I’ll try different thread locker.

    If I can’t get the small leaks under control. I will pull the rack over the summer and silicone all the holes.
     
    BabyBilly likes this.
  14. Apr 14, 2025 at 1:17 PM
    #14
    forana

    forana Well-Known Member

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    No money, all went to truck...
    Butyl sealants are better than silicone.

    I used a butyl caulk to fill holes, then put butyl tape over it, then put in bolts. I would never trust any install that doesn't require sealing holes.
     
    BabyBilly likes this.
  15. Apr 14, 2025 at 1:22 PM
    #15
    Sig45

    Sig45 Well-Known Member

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    X3 for butyl.
     

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