Trick for replacing outer window weatherstrip???
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 509
Likes: 5
From: Edmonds WA
Originally Posted by K87ZZ4
I tried a couple of sheet metal screws that were too small (#8's and #10's), but found a #12 x 1/2" sheet metal screw worked...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles, MO Route 66 Corvette Club
I ordered w'stripping yesterday (from GM) for the driver's door on my 89. I hope to install the parts this weekend. There is some good stuff in this thread.......thanks 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,050
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From: Portsmouth VA
Originally Posted by FELNGR8
This won't help you in Washington, but for anyone going to Corvettes at Carlisle this weekend, Corvette Central is holding workshops on this job. I'm bringing up my daughter's 91 that badly needs the weatherstrip on both doors for their use, and they will have a separate door there to demonstrate on.
They will at least give us parts if not do her doors. I need to do my own driver's door and Robin has been bugging me forever to do both of hers. After Saturday I should have some good tips and pics.
Anyone who stops in can get a good look at the work being done.
The only things I know right now are Mojo said be careful not to bend the new weatherstrip getting it into the door, and use a piece of hose on the drill bit when you drill out the rivets.
They will at least give us parts if not do her doors. I need to do my own driver's door and Robin has been bugging me forever to do both of hers. After Saturday I should have some good tips and pics.
Anyone who stops in can get a good look at the work being done.
The only things I know right now are Mojo said be careful not to bend the new weatherstrip getting it into the door, and use a piece of hose on the drill bit when you drill out the rivets.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore MD
Originally Posted by K87ZZ4
I did bend the clips out a bit at some point, but that didn't seem to help, so I pulled off the strip and bent them back to normal, but still no luck. I hadn't considered lubing them up, though... good idea!
I had the door panels off, I can't imagine being successful otherwise.
And I attempted to use small screws to put into the old rivets, but the screw head wasn't quite big enough and slipped through the weatherstrip piece... sigh. I think I'll have to go buy some especially for this task.
Thanks! I'll give it another shot when my attitude is improved
I had the door panels off, I can't imagine being successful otherwise.
And I attempted to use small screws to put into the old rivets, but the screw head wasn't quite big enough and slipped through the weatherstrip piece... sigh. I think I'll have to go buy some especially for this task.
Thanks! I'll give it another shot when my attitude is improved
You gotta be doing something wrong - did two cars (4 doors) in 1.5 hours. You gotta take the inner panels off, drill out the old rivets, pull the old ones out, clip them in and re-rivet. Window is all the way down of course.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 509
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From: Edmonds WA
Originally Posted by IrishJoker
You gotta be doing something wrong.
But, even with the experience of doing one side, I'm not excited about tackling the other side. Some particular cars are more of a bitch than others.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 628
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Another Tip or 2
I replaced my weatherstrip today - drivers side. I took it slow - and it took me about 90 minutes. Some observations that may be useful to people:
1. I had trouble removing the door panel - I had to look on the forum for the 'screw behind the sliding lock' trick. You know the sliding lock thing in the center of the door? Pull it off, there's a screw behind it. Also a screw behind the courtesy light cover - pull off the cover.
2. With the door panel off, you can drill out the rivets.
3. People are having a lot of trouble getting the new weatherstrip to 'clip into' the holes on the door. I solved this by using a screwdriver and hammer - place the tip of the screwdriver just behind the weatherstrip and level with the top of the clip and use the hammer to firmly tap the clips home. Just to be clear - you place the screwdriver between and just above the two lugs that hold the clip in place. Also for clarity - you are hammering towards the outside of the door. The weatherstrip has a metal bar that gives it strength and form, so this is a 'safe' activity.
It does destroy some of the felt there but this is invisible once the door panel is back on.
4. I used rivets rather than screws to hold the strip in place - just my preference.
Hope this helps somebody,
Andy.
1. I had trouble removing the door panel - I had to look on the forum for the 'screw behind the sliding lock' trick. You know the sliding lock thing in the center of the door? Pull it off, there's a screw behind it. Also a screw behind the courtesy light cover - pull off the cover.
2. With the door panel off, you can drill out the rivets.
3. People are having a lot of trouble getting the new weatherstrip to 'clip into' the holes on the door. I solved this by using a screwdriver and hammer - place the tip of the screwdriver just behind the weatherstrip and level with the top of the clip and use the hammer to firmly tap the clips home. Just to be clear - you place the screwdriver between and just above the two lugs that hold the clip in place. Also for clarity - you are hammering towards the outside of the door. The weatherstrip has a metal bar that gives it strength and form, so this is a 'safe' activity.
It does destroy some of the felt there but this is invisible once the door panel is back on.
4. I used rivets rather than screws to hold the strip in place - just my preference.
Hope this helps somebody,
Andy.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Sayreville New Jersey
I had bought from Eckler's (as previously stated earlier in this thread) to replace that on my '87 that was headed to the paint shop. On the day I was to pick up my car I got there before the car was completely ready, the new side window seals were not installed yet so I watched as they were put in in less than 15 minutes mind you the door panels were not on at the time. Oh and let me take another opportunity to post a picture of the beautiful paint job done by MAACO of East Brunswick NJ!!!!
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 509
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From: Edmonds WA
I did finallyget this job completed! It was just a bit challenging to find the time with a big long list of major things going on in my life lately.
After checking out the machine screws at the hardware store and finding that I couldn't imagine how an m4.2 x 1.41 x 8 was going to do the trick, I bought a rivet gun and some 3/16" rivets with as big a flange as I could find. The rivets seemed to fit and work well (except for the one that didn't snap off quite right, but it turned out to be 'good enough').
So, I called it good at that and then reassembled the door panel (which I've done a few too many times now!).
I snugged up the pads that press on the glass from the interior side to try to reduce the window rattle when the door is closed with the window partway down; it helped, but didn't eliminate, the window rattle. I'm thinking the new outer weatherstrip helped reduce the window rattle some, as well.
One of these days I just might add to, or update, the tech tip that's out there on this topic!
Best of luck to the others that follow in our tracks.
After checking out the machine screws at the hardware store and finding that I couldn't imagine how an m4.2 x 1.41 x 8 was going to do the trick, I bought a rivet gun and some 3/16" rivets with as big a flange as I could find. The rivets seemed to fit and work well (except for the one that didn't snap off quite right, but it turned out to be 'good enough').
So, I called it good at that and then reassembled the door panel (which I've done a few too many times now!).
I snugged up the pads that press on the glass from the interior side to try to reduce the window rattle when the door is closed with the window partway down; it helped, but didn't eliminate, the window rattle. I'm thinking the new outer weatherstrip helped reduce the window rattle some, as well.
One of these days I just might add to, or update, the tech tip that's out there on this topic!
Best of luck to the others that follow in our tracks.
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