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Outer window seal - installation problems

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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 08:06 AM
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Default Outer window seal - installation problems

1977 coupe. Outer window seals:





I see from the manual that it is only held in by two screws.

OK, I attach the ends with the screws... but what about the entire length between the screws?

Mine just hangs in place - not secure at all. When you roll the window up, it pulls on the loose fitting outer seal and binds the window.

What is the concept here? Are the "tabs" on the back of the seal supposed to "snap" into the holes in the door?









If so - mine are not going to. The hole is larger than the tabs, so mine will not snap in. I guess I have to glue them in place?



Last edited by 81_vette!; Jun 23, 2010 at 11:19 AM.
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 12:19 PM
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Mine "clicked" in when I put a new pair in my doors, I had to press them fairly firmly though.
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 12:31 PM
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Default Snap in place...

Yea... I figured they were supposed to.

I bought mine from Eckler's... and obviously they are not well made.

I tried to "open" the tabs for a tighter fit but that did not solve the issue.

I guess I'll have to cement them in place. Geez.. what a pita.
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 01:16 PM
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That's really kind of odd. Is it possible that the holes were elongated when you removed the old one? Any rust issues in the panel that the little clips connect to?

Just seems odd that a 69-82 piece simply wouuldn't fit.
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 01:49 PM
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The old one I removed had a different tab.. more of a mushroom shape.

This new replacement has tabs that slide right into the holes with no resistance.

Geez.... it's always the 15 minute job that takes two days...


Anyway - don't but the ones from Ecklers.
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 04:09 PM
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Are you sure that you don't have the outers and inners mixed up? The outers are rubber, the inners are felt.

EDIT: Sorry, couldn't see the pics at work. They are obviously rubber outers.

Last edited by CA-Legal-Vette; Jun 24, 2010 at 09:58 AM.
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Old Jun 24, 2010 | 02:15 AM
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I think you got the poorly made re-production ones, I got the higher quality ones from Willcox :

http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=26172

they fit perfectly and snapped right in with no problems at all.
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Old Jun 24, 2010 | 07:46 AM
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I know it goes without saying....but either the tabs are too small, or the holes are too big. I know...duh !

But having said that, I'd check that you got the right year part...they could be crap from the people that made them....

Or...worst case - someone drilled out the original holes..? In which case, you "could" make custom spacer/gromets...or improvise something like that....sounds like a real PITA...sorry - C3's....ya gotta love 'em or we wouldn't go through all this !

Keep us posted so we can learn too !

EDIT: - if the parts turn out to be bad - let us know where you got them so we can avoid the noid too !


Last edited by MrJlr; Jun 24, 2010 at 07:49 AM.
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Old Jun 24, 2010 | 12:58 PM
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Here is my original outer door felt, just for the sake of comparison :





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Old Jun 24, 2010 | 03:22 PM
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Thanks for all the responses.

I finally got them in, but had to use an adhesive.

I guess my holes had enlarged over the years??? or the replacements from Eckler's were not made to spec.

The worst part was you could get one end to sorta snap in, but then it would pop out when the next one was pushed in. Not a tight fit at all. It looks like the ones from Wilcox are made more to specs.

Anyway - it's on to the next vette project.
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