Any advice on where to buy weatherstrip and what tips you can provide on removal and installation? I have done some shopping and see great variations on price. I have an 89 coupe and looking to replace most of the weatherstrip, with the exception of the interior and exterior window strips (done already). Any and all help is greatly appreciated!!!!

 

I had good luck with weatherstriping from LoneStar Muscle Car. Do a search of this forum, there are dozens of posts concerning weatherstriping including pretty complete installation instructions. Have fun!

 

I have a 88 coupe and have replace the rear hatch front windshield and doors. I have bought after market from both Ecklers and on ebay and had trouble with them being to fat or big. I talked to ecklers and boughts the door weather strips that are closer to OEM they fit alright. The rear hatch I had to go to Chevy for a good fit. So look around for OEM items.

 

I recently purchased A-pillar from from Willcox Corvette $80 excellent product and fit, made by Corvette rubber.So I ordered the B-pillar should be getting that tomorrow. Very happy with them.

 

For the A & B pillar I recommend the OEM, after seeing the difference I was like WOW, for the door, hatch and top aftermarket is okay.

 

I have to agree with this advice....

I bought my replacement rubber from Corvette Rubber. Everything worked pretty well except the A pillar. I don't think it's thick and spongy enough to perform its job correctly because it leaks at the upper front corner of BOTH windows. (And, the B Pillar easily passes water with a car wash wand. If it weren't vertical, I think it would leak too).

I'm not sure I could adjust the windows to roll up tighter to the W/S rubber, but it's my feeling I shouldn't have to. Also, the rubber has a seam just about in the spot it's leaking on both sides. It simply lacks the characteristics of OEM.

I think Corvette Rubber's WS is fine for the door seals and the rear hatch, but I don't recommend it for the A/B Pillar and roof rubber.

Fortunately, I don't drive in rainy/wet weather often.

gp

FYI: My car did not leak before the WS replacement. I replaced the OEM rubber due to it's APPEARANCE.

 

I used the Corvette Rubber piece from Wilcox for my A-Pillar, fit is fine, no leaks. Although I didn't have to adjust my windows afterwards, it is not uncommon to do that.

 

I used Lonestar's rear hatch and a pillar with no problems on my 85.

The bad part is getting the old out.

 

Glad you got lucky!

Two things though.... If the new WS is as good/thick as the old, the newer WS should have MORE thickness than the old. (After all, new WS should be more "plump" than 18-yr-old stuff, right?) Adjusting the window to compensate for new WS being smaller/imperfect seems wrong (see below).

Also, it is my understanding that the windows stop rolling up when they meet with resistance -- much like the headlight motor system does to stop rotation. So, there is a limited amount of pressure on the entire WS to seal leaks. In the area of the leak on my car, I feel a SLIGHT indentation and see a seam. Just doesn't impress me. Getting the window to press harder against the WS -- than the original -- ain't my idea of quality.

gp

 

I recently replaced my hatch weatherstrip with the Willcox Corvette product. It was fairly easy. I had to remove the rear trim panels and then get the weatherstrip to the outside of the hatch struts. Have some help to hold up the hatch glass while you thread the bolts back into the glass.

The old weatherstrip just pulled out and the factory grease was still in excellent shape. It took me about an hour to do the job, from start to finish.

I was very happy with the weatherstripping from Willcox and will be purchasing the A and B pillar stripping from them in the near future.

Kenny

 

I have bought their A and B pillar as well as door weatherstripping and found them to be an excellent product. I am expecting the rear hatch glass stripping today. When I did the A and B pillars I didn't have to adjust the windows.

 

A little trick a buddy of mine told me about to "test" your weatherstripping before permanently installing it is to make sure the area you are replacing is COMPLETELY clean and then install the new strip "dry". If it is a vertical piece then use some good masking tape and "roll" it so it is double sided then attach using the tape. Close the doors / hatch / roofand hit it with some decent high pressure hose water (Note this does NOT mean use a PRESSURE WASHER!) (

Keep the water on for about 10 minutes, moving it around at different angles. Make sure you are hitting the actual "seam" between the glass and the rubber (or the roof and the rubber in the case of vettes)

If you don't have any water on the inside, you are golden, if you DO then double check your fit and finish and if all looks well you probably have a defective piece you can now ship back because you didn't permanently attach it to your car. If the imperfection is minor you can "bubba" repair it by "thickening" the glue area behind that particular trouble spot to bring it out more and seal it up.

 

Corvette Rubber

 

Got my rear hatch w/s today from Lonestar Muscle Car, it is a very nice piece and it only took me about an hour to install. Actually took me longer to figure out how it installed than it did to actually put it on. I'm pumped.

 

Another way to test the weatherstrip is to apply a thin coat of lubricant on it when it’s installed. When the lubricant touches the glass you will see it through the glass as a darker spot and know its sealing properly.

Our weatherstrips are CRC brand and you won’t have any problems with them if everything else is good on the car! People always fail to recognize that items in your door will wear out! Door hinge pins and bushings, rear window hinges, door window pad adjusters, and the outer and inner door window wipes. (which will cause floppy door glass)

Failure of one or more of these items can cause a person may days of anger at a weatherstrip that has nothing wrong with it. Always make sure to re-adjust the door glass, and replace any of the above mentioned parts before installing new weatherstrips. Always check the rear window hatch hinge (also a hard repair) before installing the rear hatch. If you have had problems in the past with tearing up the corners of the new weatherstrip after installation, I would go to this area and check it. You can check the rear hatch window hinge play about the same way you check the door hinge play. Open the window, grab it by the end and gently twist it from side to side to check for play.

On a door, you don’t twist it so much as you just go to the end of the door and pick up on it. If you feel the door is moving up and downward then I would replace the hinge bushings and pins before installing the new weatherstrip.

Always adjust the roof panel after installation of new weatherstrips. Failure to do this on a level surface can result in a cracked roof panel should you have the Plexiglas top, and result in leaks should you have the plain old fiberglass top!

The kit below is the kit we install in our shop! You won’t have any problems from it and it’s on sale right now too!

http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...s=weatherstrip

Willcox Inc

 

I'd like to see more Willcox weatherstrip reviews. I may have to replace my A pillar weather stripping.

 

.....just a note; i used dielectric greas on mine until the "permanently molded" (so-to-speak) themselves to the contour of other molding surfaces...worked our excellently....

 

I just received the weatherstrip "kit" from Wilcox Corvette; will start installation soon as I pick up some "chemicals" and post results.

 

65z01,

You have any problems or questions, contact customer service at Willcoxcustomerservice@willcoxcorvette.c om

We are here to help!

Regards,

Willcox

 

I replaced all the weatherstrip on my '85 with Willcox (Corvette Rubber). Excellent fit and finish and no leaks at all. Take your time, read up on adjusting and fitting weatherstrip and adjust your windows if needed.