Weather Strip Replacement - Need Help
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
That is pretty sad if it leaks from behind the retainers. When i removed my retainers there was no rubber stripping behind the retainers only underneath the weather stripping and which is on top of the retainers nothing behind. If the case is that u need a rubber or foam stripping behind the retainers then what is the purpose of the weather stripping. Once you have weather stripping that should be good enough. Also, no one else mentioned this prior to my application and again there was none behind my retainers initially. I don't thinks you 100% correct but I will closely monitor it.
Even the "ears" on the top have foam on the back side. Then there is foam inbetween the "ears" and retainer.
The reason to have some kind of sealant or foam on the backside of the retainer. Is water can/will get inbetween the reveal molding and retainer and leak into the car. Which will then run down the A pillar trim and drip on the carpet. Sometimes that foam will fail from age and let water in. You also have to watch for water getting in past the windshield and reveal molding. That happens alot with windshield installs.
When you can, hose the car down and check for water leaking in past the retainer.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
OK, now let's ask the important question...
OEM seal kits cost $1100-1200, but places like Willcox has a set for $385 (for my 1991). I know GM OEM parts are notoriously high, but c'mon now, there just has to be a significant difference in quality, right?
I have seen some of the threads that say not to waste your time with anything but OEM seals, but if I can get reasonably close to OEM quality and performance, why not?
OEM seal kits cost $1100-1200, but places like Willcox has a set for $385 (for my 1991). I know GM OEM parts are notoriously high, but c'mon now, there just has to be a significant difference in quality, right?
I have seen some of the threads that say not to waste your time with anything but OEM seals, but if I can get reasonably close to OEM quality and performance, why not?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,884
Likes: 0
Like I said before the guy I know from Penski told me Gm is getting there weather stripping made in China.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 10
From: New York New York
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 10
From: New York New York
On one of those links, I see there is a guy saying not to use any glue on the weatherstripping. Don't you need to at least glue the ends of the windshield weatherstripping? I know mine weren't really glued at the ends. And water leaked in past there. So, I got some RTV and glued along the top of the ends of the weatherstripping making sure not to get glue over the drain hole that is at the end.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
I didn't use glue on mine either as they fit very snug in the retainer. No way will water get behind it. I have heard many people not use glue and never had any leaks. that is the reason why I didn't use glue or I would have. A lot of stuff GM did was overkill back in the 80's. Did you ever take apart the rear bumper? they rivet and bolted the crap out of it.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 10
From: New York New York
Don't the ends of the windshield weatherstripping down at the bottom that extend past the retainers need to be glued down? Mine weren't on the ends, and water got in past there. So, I got some RTV and glued the top edge of the weatherstripping to the body. No I haven't pulled the bumper.
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...3/IMG_0668.jpg
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
From: Newark, New Jersey
Hey Uptown,
do you have problems with your windows when you put them up? I installed new weatherstripping,NOT oem, and cant get my windows to go completely up with the doors closed and the targa on
do you have problems with your windows when you put them up? I installed new weatherstripping,NOT oem, and cant get my windows to go completely up with the doors closed and the targa on
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 10
From: New York New York
I couldn't tell you just yet because i haven't gotten my car back yet and the top was off when I did the installation. But I can say that the top would not go on all the way and I could not close the rear hatch without pushing down really hard on it. So I am sure the doors will have some type of problem.
Last edited by uptown193; Mar 22, 2010 at 11:45 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 310
Likes: 48
From: Lafayette IN
I'm in process of replacing the weatherstripping on my '94 coupe. I've started with the doors and slowly be working around the vehicle. I'll probably do the windshield header last.
I didn't go with the OEM, but with the stuff Mid-America sells (I got it at the Funfest, so no shipping and discount). The weatherstripping around the door appears to be made in the USA, I can't speak for the rest. The stuff around the door, at least feels nice and soft. I did notice that it does not have any molded in metal for the attaching screw tabs.
I do know the I'd like to strangle who ever came up those stupid hidden clips behind the outer door window wiper seals!
Has anyone who has installed new door weatherstripping had problems with it catching on the window at the rear and being pulled down? I noticed this, but I haven't got the door panel back on yet, so that might take car of it.
I didn't go with the OEM, but with the stuff Mid-America sells (I got it at the Funfest, so no shipping and discount). The weatherstripping around the door appears to be made in the USA, I can't speak for the rest. The stuff around the door, at least feels nice and soft. I did notice that it does not have any molded in metal for the attaching screw tabs.
I do know the I'd like to strangle who ever came up those stupid hidden clips behind the outer door window wiper seals!
Has anyone who has installed new door weatherstripping had problems with it catching on the window at the rear and being pulled down? I noticed this, but I haven't got the door panel back on yet, so that might take car of it.
Last edited by DaveN355; Mar 22, 2010 at 05:58 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 3
From: Independence Kentucky
On one of those links, I see there is a guy saying not to use any glue on the weatherstripping. Don't you need to at least glue the ends of the windshield weatherstripping? I know mine weren't really glued at the ends. And water leaked in past there. So, I got some RTV and glued along the top of the ends of the weatherstripping making sure not to get glue over the drain hole that is at the end.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
If I had to replace that piece. I think I'd try 3M bedding and glazing compound. I've read of others using this instead of weatherstrip adhesive. As I guess it won't cause the weatherstripping to rip if you later were to remove it. Though, I might have to use some glue on the ends. As that is where I had water getting past.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
I bought from wilcox and would recommend them. Be careful on the a-pillar. You instinctively want to pull on it but if you do, when you get to the other side you will have too much. Start from the center and just let it lay in. If your retainers are really mucked up, you can buy new ones. It will save some time. Let the old ones sit in a bath of adhesive remover. I think I used 3m.I filed down a plastic knife to scrape the crap out. Also be careful on the hatch for the same reason, if you pull to hard the corners will be off. There is also a drain kit which is worth putting in the corners. I think I have an old retainer if you want it let me know. It needs to be cleaned. I think it's for the top. Take your time, think it through, it's not hard. I have an 86 as well. good luck
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,884
Likes: 0
I'm in process of replacing the weatherstripping on my '94 coupe. I've started with the doors and slowly be working around the vehicle. I'll probably do the windshield header last.
I didn't go with the OEM, but with the stuff Mid-America sells (I got it at the Funfest, so no shipping and discount). The weatherstripping around the door appears to be made in the USA, I can't speak for the rest. The stuff around the door, at least feels nice and soft. I did notice that it does not have any molded in metal for the attaching screw tabs.
I do know the I'd like to strangle who ever came up those stupid hidden clips behind the outer door window wiper seals!
Has anyone who has installed new door weatherstripping had problems with it catching on the window at the rear and being pulled down? I noticed this, but I haven't got the door panel back on yet, so that might take car of it.
I didn't go with the OEM, but with the stuff Mid-America sells (I got it at the Funfest, so no shipping and discount). The weatherstripping around the door appears to be made in the USA, I can't speak for the rest. The stuff around the door, at least feels nice and soft. I did notice that it does not have any molded in metal for the attaching screw tabs.
I do know the I'd like to strangle who ever came up those stupid hidden clips behind the outer door window wiper seals!
Has anyone who has installed new door weatherstripping had problems with it catching on the window at the rear and being pulled down? I noticed this, but I haven't got the door panel back on yet, so that might take car of it.
