Door weather stripping - Help!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 2
From: near VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Door weather stripping - Help!
Hi guys
I need some help or at least some information if it is normal that I can't close the doors completely after installing new weatherstripping.
I alligned both doors during restoration without the weatherstripping and sanded over the edges of the door to get a perfect fit with an equal gap to the fenders and the rest of the body.
Now that everything is coming together I installed the new stripping but I am unable to close the door completely. Seems like the rubber has to be pressed down brutaly to allow a complete closing. Is that normal?
Do I have to press the door to close position and wait until the rubber is formed or pressed down?
IMO it's a little too hard to get the door in closing position, my bodyweight (150lbs=75kg)) is not enough to close it, a gap of about 8mm remains. Again without the seals there's no problem...
What are your experiences?
I need some help or at least some information if it is normal that I can't close the doors completely after installing new weatherstripping.
I alligned both doors during restoration without the weatherstripping and sanded over the edges of the door to get a perfect fit with an equal gap to the fenders and the rest of the body.
Now that everything is coming together I installed the new stripping but I am unable to close the door completely. Seems like the rubber has to be pressed down brutaly to allow a complete closing. Is that normal?
Do I have to press the door to close position and wait until the rubber is formed or pressed down?
IMO it's a little too hard to get the door in closing position, my bodyweight (150lbs=75kg)) is not enough to close it, a gap of about 8mm remains. Again without the seals there's no problem...
What are your experiences?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa Ok
Sounds normal to me. The stripping will eventually take the shape of the sill, but will be stubborn at first. Heating with a blowdryer will help some and use dielectric grease to keep it supple.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 511
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix AZ
As a side note, I've been told to make sure your door latch and lock mechanisms are in good working order and lubricated. Or all the extra force from the new weather strips may cause old gummed up latches to stick and not let you open the door once you get it closed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,135
Likes: 71
From: Umeå Sweden
mine was alittle hard to close but i closed the doors hard and let it sit for a week,then it was fine.
But if you cant get them closed at all you maybe must do as i did,
The upper back where you screw the two screws to hold it in place i grinded the plate down a bit and enlarged the holes so i got the stripping closer to the door,then i got it to close and left it closed for a week,works great now..
But if you cant get them closed at all you maybe must do as i did,
The upper back where you screw the two screws to hold it in place i grinded the plate down a bit and enlarged the holes so i got the stripping closer to the door,then i got it to close and left it closed for a week,works great now..
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
New England Events Coordinator
Weather Strip fit or Not
I replaced the weather stripping on my 70 vert last year. On the first attempt the door would not close, I did this as a dry run (no adhiesive). I returned the parts to the local company and re-ordered weather stripping from Ecklers and what a fit, doors closed first time and every time.
Some weather stripping may not be as good as it should be.
Some weather stripping may not be as good as it should be.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: High Ridge MO
I replaced all of my weatherstripping in the whole car, and the doors took months before they would close without alot of effort.I am currently looking for an elephant to stand on my t-tops so they will fit right again.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
Originally Posted by carguy4sure
Same here. I had to slam the door shut. Two weeks later and now they are perfect...closes perfectly with little effort.
I just replaced mine last week, at first had to slam door also, but they are already loosening up..
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