Volks,

Inherited a new luggage rack and pop top seal kit from PO. Installed the
luggage rack seal and am having problems getting the rack to fit back on the
van.

The old seal is a U-shaped plastic/rubber channel that fits over the lip of
the rack with a straight piece of rubber that fits against the side of the
van roof. The new seal is "new style" according to a local VW parts haus. It
has the same U-shaped channel, but the actual seal is O-shaped (and sits
next to, and sorta down a bit from the U-channel) and is supposed to fit up
against the van roof and side.

But it doesn't! I've put all my weight on the rack trying to compress the
seal enough so I can bolt it back onto the van, but to no avail. I'm afraid
I'll break the rack if I put any more pressure on it, and the bolt holes are
still an 1/8th of an inch or more from lining up.

Can someone please tell me if there are any tricks for getting that seal to
compress enough (I'm tempted to cut part of it off to make it less thick)?

Second, with the new seal there is no way for water to drain out from under
the luggage rack. Considering the rack itself has five large drain holes, I
don't want that water sealed in on top of my roof and starting a little
subterranean rust garden. Should I cut a couple of drain holes in the seal?

What have others done with this new type of seal?

Many thanks. Oh, as for the pop top seal, it's the exact same type, and I'm
praying I'll just be able to pull the top down enough each time to get it to
latch. For the pop top I know I want a good solid seal, but it's not needed
on the luggage rack.

Steve
84 Westy "Calvin"