Well nuts replaced for roof rack...still leaking

[Factory53]

So I swapped out the original well nuts for the stock roof rack on my 84 Wagon because my headliner was getting wet on both sides of the vehicle. All the well nuts were brittle and falling apart.

The original well nuts that came off the wagon didn't have a hole for the bolt to pass all the way through...but the new ones I ordered do. I put some silicone on the threads of the nut to prevent any water moving through threads.

One side of the wagon stays dry now and one side still has a minor wet spot showing up.

Any other tips or tricks for sealing these things up? Clearly more silicone is required, but looking for any thoughts on what has worked well for others.

Not a great way to mount a rack in my opinion, but at the same time I used to be able to order well nuts for an old Cherokee of mine that didn't have a hole all the way through it..so maybe I just keep hunting for better well nuts.

I'm getting a new headliner installed so I'd love to solve this before getting that work done.

Here is the link to the well nuts I ordered:

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0040CZ3R4

Cheers and happy driving everyone!

[MIPS]

Are you positive it's a leaking well nut? With the headliner out, sit inside while you have someone with a hose spraying the outside.

My eagle had leaks around the roof chrome strips and another far more baffling leak that was in the drip rail above the passenger door that was appearing above the passenger side visor. The way they welded the top of the A-pillar together must be really weird. When I dropped the headliner I ended up putting silicon on anything that was coming through the roof and the leaks stopped.
I had two well nuts go bad as well and didn't even know there's a version that don't put the threads all the way through. I just put silicone on the threads like you did, plus around the edge of the opening in the roof as I dropped them in.

[Factory53]

Well now you've got me wondering.

I'm in the process of pulling parts off of a donor 1986 Eagle Wagon and I was shocked to see that those chrome strips on top of the roof are attached through holes in the roof. I assumed they were just taped down or something.

So now, I'm thinking I need to do what you did. I'll let the upholsterer know to call me when the headliner is out so I can get in there with some silicone.

Seems like even for the 80's it was a bad idea to drill holes in the roof and attach those strips...that's a lot of opportunity for leaks.

Thanks for the reply MIPS!

Are you positive it's a leaking well nut? With the headliner out, sit inside while you have someone with a hose spraying the outside.

My eagle had leaks around the roof chrome strips and another far more baffling leak that was in the drip rail above the passenger door that was appearing above the passenger side visor. The way they welded the top of the A-pillar together must be really weird. When I dropped the headliner I ended up putting silicon on anything that was coming through the roof and the leaks stopped.
I had two well nuts go bad as well and didn't even know there's a version that don't put the threads all the way through. I just put silicone on the threads like you did, plus around the edge of the opening in the roof as I dropped them in.

[MIPS]

The strips protect the roof from scratches when you put something in the luggage rack but like all the other trim it's heck to remove if you ever want to get the car repainted and means pulling the interior.

[Factory53]

Thanks Mips, I wanted to post an update.

I had a parts car that I stripped and I pulled off those chrome strips from the roof. Each of them popped off easily with one of those smaller drywall mud spreaders. Mine were held down with some plastic clips and just snapped off. Not sure if other strips are installed with metal clips or not, if so those might be tougher to remove.

I plan on painting my roof at some point and will pull off those chrome strips  and then use 3m tape to put them back...which should also cover up those holes too. I've never seen a car roof with so many factory holes in it. LOL

Cheers!