Body - Water Leaks Into Passenger Compartment

SOURCE: Kia Technician Times

TITLE: Water Leakage Rear Passenger Compartment

APPLIES TO: Sephia

SERVICE TIP:

CONDITION

Water leakage into the rear passenger compartment area. The water usually collects under the rear passenger seat cushion on the drivers side. In some cases, this can cause corrosion on connectors C304 and C305.

CAUSE

Poor sealing of the rear body seams and rear suspension components.

CORRECTIVE ACTION

The most common location of water leakage in this area is where the top flange of the rear strut bolts to the body. Use the following procedure to correct this leak source.

1. Park the vehicle on a lift but do not raise the vehicle at this time.
2. Remove the rear seat cushion.
3. Check connectors C304 and C305 for corrosion. Repair if necessary.
4. Remove the left and right side rear seat back side bolsters.
5. Remove the center high mount stop lamp and the rear parcel shelf.






6. Remove the rubber caps from both rear struts.
7. Remove the two 8mm nuts securing struts to the vehicle body.
8. Raise the vehicle and remove both rear wheels.
9. Remove the plastic inner fender panel on the drivers side of the vehicle.
10. Remove the clips securing the brake lines to the strut bodies.
NOTICE:
On vehicles equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS) the sensor wire must also be slid out of the tab on the strut.

11. Remove the 10mm bolt securing the stabilizer bar links to the struts.
12. Remove the two 12mm bolts securing the struts to the rear spindles.
13. Remove the struts from the vehicle.






14. From underneath the vehicle, inspect each strut tower and wheel arch for missing/insufficient seam sealer.
15. Apply sealant to the seams as necessary using 3M sealer (or equivalent).
3M PART NUMBERS
CLEAR 08405
WHITE 08500
BLACK 08648

16. Discard the clear plastic gasket (if equipped) located on the top of the rear struts.






17. Apply a 1/4 inch bead of body sealer to the top of the strut flange.
18. Install the rear struts and torque fasteners as follows:
12mm rear strut to spindle bolts 72 lb.ft.
8mm rear strut to body nuts 25 lb.ft.
10mm rear stabilizer bar to strut bolts 50 lb.ft.

19. Install brake line clips and ABS wire (if equipped).
20. Install the plastic inner fender panel on the drivers side.
21. Install both rear wheels and tighten the lug nuts to 72 lb.ft. of torque.
22. Install the rear parcel shelf.
23. Install the center high mount stop lamp.
24. Install the rear seat back side bolsters.
25. Install the rear seat cushion.rear seat back side bolsters.