I would second Jeff's advice to always remove the luggage rack if you
have never done it yourself.  It is not difficult but you should have
one other person to help you take it off and put it back on once you are
done replacing the seal.  The main reason is that so much junk collects
under there and many times I find that because people neglect to ever
change this seal, the old seal has degraded to the point where it is
allowing the luggage rack to actually rub against the roof of the van
and you will find areas where the paint is rubbed through and the van is
starting to rust as well.  If you remove the luggage rack and inspect
under it then you can catch rust early and fix it before it becomes a
bigger problem.  Just FYI.

PS
Not taking sides in the pop top seal wars.   Folks would get mad (not
the vendors but some list members who carry torches for them). :-)

--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
Phone: 856-327-4936
Fax: 856-327-2242

On 4/15/2011 8:12 AM, J Stewart wrote:
> I'll tell you why it is a good idea, IMHO, to at least pull the luggage rack and seal. Every Westy I've owned (6, 3 Bays and 3 Vanagons) have all had an accumulation of leaves and other crap under the luggage rack-some A LOT OF IT. On a couple this eternally wet mass of leaves and other crap had started to cause rust on the roof. Never had the noise issue on a Vanagon, but damn sure had it on a Bay, and it is horrible! Jeff
>
>
>
> Jeff Stewart
>
>
> ----- "Jeff Palmer"<jpalmer@MYMTS.NET>  wrote:
>
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> I'm in need of a new poptop seal for my 85 Westfalia and am wondering if anybody has knowledge of Go Westy vs Bus Depot replacement seals. They seem quite different.
>
> My luggage rack seal is in ok shape and I'm not sure if i want to replace it - why make things worse! So I wonder which aftermarket seal matches better?
>
> My memory is fading but don't you have to remove the luggage rack to replace the seal? And some have reported wind noise afterwards?
>
> Thanks in advance
> Jeff
> 85 Westfalia GL
> Winnipeg
> Slightly above water
>