Outer Door Window Seals
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
Outer Door Window Seals
So a few days after my '85 was painted, I start putting her back together, and I finally get to the outer window seal/sweeps on the doors. I read a few threads about the quality (or lack there of) of the mid america window sweeps, and that I should use GM.
So I decided to experiment a little.
I bought a Delco GM outer window seal for the driver's side, and I came across the mid america seal for the passenger side (it was free).
At first they looked similar, but holy crap is there a difference. The felt on the GM seal is much better, and brushes the window- it doesn't push against it, and the rubber at the top of the seal just fits so much better.
The one from midamerica didn't fit right first of all, I actually had to remove both of the bumpers from the inside of the seal (They aren't felt either, they are a rubberized material). And the whole seal rubs against the window so much that my window actually rolls up slower.
At twice the price, the GM/Delco seals are still a better deal then MidAmerica's...
At least that's my experience, I thought I'd share it with you guys.
So I decided to experiment a little.
I bought a Delco GM outer window seal for the driver's side, and I came across the mid america seal for the passenger side (it was free).
At first they looked similar, but holy crap is there a difference. The felt on the GM seal is much better, and brushes the window- it doesn't push against it, and the rubber at the top of the seal just fits so much better.
The one from midamerica didn't fit right first of all, I actually had to remove both of the bumpers from the inside of the seal (They aren't felt either, they are a rubberized material). And the whole seal rubs against the window so much that my window actually rolls up slower.
At twice the price, the GM/Delco seals are still a better deal then MidAmerica's...
At least that's my experience, I thought I'd share it with you guys.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by cicch95
Great to know. I need to replace one myself! How was the install job anyway?
- you'll need to take off the door panel, which is just removing some screws and lifting it out. Then the seals are held in by one rivet at the rear of the door, and 2 rivets at the front of the door. After that the old seal pops out.
- The new seals will take some patience to work in. A thin, flat headed screwdriver works pretty well to guide the tabs on the new seals into place.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 3
From: Florissant MO
Originally Posted by cicch95
Great to know. I need to replace one myself! How was the install job anyway?
You will need (tools)
Drill with 1/4" bit to drill out 3 rivets.
Very small screwdriver
Larger screwdriver
Needle nose pliers.
Pop rivet gun
Here is the one that got me buffaloed for a while.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...al&forum_id=48
The one thing that really got me was to pull the door lock forward all the way, then using the small screwdriver to pop out the lever. Held my breath doing it, but it worked like a song.
Took me about 2 hours and that included smoke breaks and occasional trips to get a beer out of the fridge.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
by the way, contact chris may at http://www.superchevyperformance.com/, mention you're a CF member......with the CF discount the price for a set of GM seals will be just about the same as the ones that Eckler's or MAM sells.
my GM outer seals cost $52 for the set, with CF discount....bought them 6 months ago though.
my GM outer seals cost $52 for the set, with CF discount....bought them 6 months ago though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 125
From: Dunstable MA
St. Jude Donor '05
Take the time, and spend the money, and get a drill guide to limit the depth of penetration when taking out the old rivets and/or rounding out the new fit between the seal and the door. Don't ask me why I came here and said this, just do it!!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,907
Likes: 731
From: Southwest Kansas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
I agree, get the OEm from Chris May @ Superior Chevrolet. OEM at the same price as Ecklers. I had a heck of a time getting my new ones on it just wouldn't snap down into position. Fought it a while, got frustrtated, walked away for a few minutes then went back out to try again. Pretty soon I went out to my woodworking shop and grabbed a rubber mallet and used that to tap the seal down into place, went on like a dream. So when I did the other side it took me a matter of about 15 minutes.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Pleasant TX
Originally Posted by teebee1994
Pretty soon I went out to my woodworking shop and grabbed a rubber mallet and used that to tap the seal down into place, went on like a dream. So when I did the other side it took me a matter of about 15 minutes.
Must be a Roughneck
If all else fails always, GET A BIGGER HAMMER 
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,907
Likes: 731
From: Southwest Kansas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Originally Posted by rufneck
Must be a Roughneck
If all else fails always, GET A BIGGER HAMMER 
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Springfield Ohio
I changed mine in January. Gotta agree about getting the GM ones from Chris at Superior. I ordered mine from there, and were cheaper and BETTER than others I found. The only caveat is that they do not come with the new rivets, but you can pick up aluminum ones at Sears. There's a post with the right part number and size somewhere around.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 1
From: Reno NV
Thanks For Posting This Thread...
I'm eventually going to have to replace the outer window seal on the passenger side of my 1995 Coupe and was glad you mentioned the big differences in materials between the MAD repro and GM OEM seals.
Of course, I've learned more than once when it comes to Corvettes "cheaper" usually means someone cut a corner somewhere.
Of course, I've learned more than once when it comes to Corvettes "cheaper" usually means someone cut a corner somewhere.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,957
Likes: 706
From: WI
Just a note, you can use screws instead of the rivets. When I put my drivers side seal back on I used some screws that I had here. I had to look through every collection of fasteners that I had though. They must be short and fat. To long and you can get the screw into the door. No more rivets now though! 
And I love not having to run for parts!
And I love not having to run for parts!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,907
Likes: 731
From: Southwest Kansas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Pop rivet guns are cheap and come in handy lots of times. Spring for buying one, about $10 or so. You'll end up using it more than you think.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,907
Likes: 731
From: Southwest Kansas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
It's been a while, but I believe they are 3/16" diameter x 1/4" long aluminum. They were definately not 1/8" diameter.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,957
Likes: 706
From: WI
I have 1/8 3MM rivets in my tool box and yup they are not the right size. I had some screws that fit though so I didn't have to leave to get the right size rivets. Personally I'd rather remove the seal screws, put the new seal in and reinstall the screws. Rather then having to deal with rivets. Much easier.