Frustrating Door
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Crowley Texas
Frustrating Door
I installed door weather strip on my ’68 convertible a few weeks ago, and noted that the doors were difficult to close afterwards. After a few days with the doors closed, and with a little adjustment, the passenger door now closes nicely. The driver’s side door is driving me crazy. I’ve done everything I can, but the door still needs a pretty good shove to close all the way (second latch position). It seems that if I could move the striker outboard about another sixteenth, the second position would latch more easily. However, the striker is at the max outboard position, and if it could move further, the door wouldn’t be positioned correctly. Is it possible that the latch is worn out? I welcome any ideas. Thanks guys.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 12
From: wichita kansas
assuming you have the weather stripping positioned and properly glued in place, this is a fairly common issue with the new weather stripping. it seems to be "poofier" than the old original and takes awhile to conform into place. i wouldn't think that the door striker needs adjusting at all, you might put a generous portion of armor-all on the new rubber and just keep the door closed tightly for awhile, it should be fine soon. IMO (and experience) Rick
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,335
Likes: 4,451
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 68,
I agree with raw that the new stripping needs to be compressed a little bit.
When I first put the new stripping on my car the doors really had to be slammed to close. If I kept my hand on the door I could feels it pushing back at me as it closed.
It took a couple of weeks in the closed position to improve.
Patience at this point!
Regards,
Alan
I agree with raw that the new stripping needs to be compressed a little bit.
When I first put the new stripping on my car the doors really had to be slammed to close. If I kept my hand on the door I could feels it pushing back at me as it closed.
It took a couple of weeks in the closed position to improve.
Patience at this point!
Regards,
Alan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 114
From: Watkins Glen NY
For what it's worth, it took a season of driving for my new Corvette Rubber door weatherstrips to set and fit correctly.
Drove me crazy too! For some reason, before I put the weatherstrips on, I mounted the doors to trial fit and you could close them with one finger and they'd latch perfectly. After the strips were glued on , I adjusted the doors (many times), took the strips off and reapplied, and then finally just left them alone after reading so many posts that basically said "been there, done that, they'll be OK". And they were.
Makes me wonder what the doors/weatherstrips were like on these cars when they were showroom new. Surely an issue like this wouldn't have gone over very well.
Drove me crazy too! For some reason, before I put the weatherstrips on, I mounted the doors to trial fit and you could close them with one finger and they'd latch perfectly. After the strips were glued on , I adjusted the doors (many times), took the strips off and reapplied, and then finally just left them alone after reading so many posts that basically said "been there, done that, they'll be OK". And they were.
Makes me wonder what the doors/weatherstrips were like on these cars when they were showroom new. Surely an issue like this wouldn't have gone over very well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,043
Likes: 515
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
I have had my 68 coupe for over 40 years now. When my 68 only door seals crumbled, I had to purchase 69-up style from GM. No one made 68's anymore. It took close to 10 years for those newer style GM seals to not need the rump bump to close the doors! Lou.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Took about 5 weeks for my door weather strips to flatten out some.
