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Trouble with installing outer door seal - help please
This is driving me nuts. I am trying to replace the outer seals on the door and I cannot get them to mount. I tried the ones form Ecklers - with the split tabs on the back - and I could not get them to stay in. So I ordered another pair from Corvette Pacifica which were labeled - "exact reproductions" but it is the same type of split tab and if I remember correctly - the ones I pulled off had a hook for each tab. I could be wrong - I dont have them anymore. I am including a pic of the inside of the door sill where the split tab is supposed to catch and a pic of the tab. If there is anyone who has done this before - please tell me what I am doing wrong here or if there is a trick I am missing - educate me,
Yes your a victim of the cheap imports , I went through the same problem . If you look at your older ones (original ?) the tab or **** is just better made with a real sharp lip on the edge to catch in the hole in the door . Its like the piece they used to press the shape just wore out and they never bothered to fix. I complained to the vendor and of course their reply was "no one ever complained before "
I have since scoured E Bay for NOS (new old stock) ones and have got one new one and am still looking for a left side one .
A friend here went through the same problem and he managed to swap over the old (good **** piece) onto his new seal.
Arghhh,,,,I should not have thrown out the old ones. I am now thinking of putting a little epoxy on the tab and then letting it sit overnight with some pressure clamps.
I just installed a pr. I think they came from Ecklers too. They looked like yours and they fit well except on one I had to trim the back end 1/8" (not hard, use a cut-off grinder tool). And I did keep my originals and to me the clips look the same (as my 81).
On the tabs, I put just a little film of white grease on each and just a small film with my finger on each hole to facilitate installation. Then when you go to pop them in use an up/down rocking motion (to help it get through the hole) and firm/steady pressure. I also needed to pop one of them back out to trim the end and it came out fine ..and went back in the same: positively and securely. Mine popped in perfectly and securely. I was very happy with the product. In fact I remember thinking to myself it was one of the easiest window trim replacements I've done and they fit well the first time. I have installed quite a lot of window sweeps over the years on a variety of cars ..when I used to work at a bodyshop, and classic cars too ....they all seem to need some minor or major trimming and work to make fit like OEM. Even new factory sweeps for relatively new cars never seem to fit 100% w/o some fannagling. It's a rare day when they do. But the vette sweeps/seals I had fit great.
My second set I purchased had two of the “buttons” in a different places than the OEM wipes. As usual, most reproduction parts are not OEM, enough said.
I used my trusty and always present Dremel to make new holes in the fiberglass to fit the locations of the reproduction/buttons.
I took my time and
went at a very slow speed, also I taped a piece of scrap metal inside the door so it would be impossible to drill the hole through the painted door skin.
My second set I purchased had two of the “buttons” in a different places than the OEM wipes. As usual, most reproduction parts are not OEM, enough said.
I used my trusty and always present Dremel to make new holes in the fiberglass to fit the locations of the reproduction/buttons.
I took my time and
went at a very slow speed, also I taped a piece of scrap metal inside the door so it would be impossible to drill the hole through the painted door skin.
Plenty of convertible ones , but the coupe ones were $250 for a set plus whatever shipping it would be to me ,which would be heaps ,so I will pass and probably just get one from Ecklars when I get a big enough list to warrant a package
Trouble with installing outer door seal - help please
