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Hatch Weatherstripping.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 42
From: Baltimore, MD USA
No glue. There should be some kind of grease from the factory that allows the weatherstripping to move a little so don't wipe it off. Just remove the old and install the new.
Usually the rubber seperates from the vinly channel that slips over a lip so don't forget to remove it.
I use a cardboard box to support the rear portion of the glass.
To install the weatherstripping you need to pop off the hatch struts. With the palm of you hand pop off the hatch strut at the bottom ball socket. Might have to pry with a screwdriver. Do one strut, route the weatherstripping, reinstall the strut and do the other one.
Install the two 90 degree corners first and then work the weatherstripping into place. If you don't do the corners first you stand a chance of pulling the miter joints apart.
Usually the rubber seperates from the vinly channel that slips over a lip so don't forget to remove it.
I use a cardboard box to support the rear portion of the glass.
To install the weatherstripping you need to pop off the hatch struts. With the palm of you hand pop off the hatch strut at the bottom ball socket. Might have to pry with a screwdriver. Do one strut, route the weatherstripping, reinstall the strut and do the other one.
Install the two 90 degree corners first and then work the weatherstripping into place. If you don't do the corners first you stand a chance of pulling the miter joints apart.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Lee, there was some minute turbulance in the hatch area slowing me down. Plus filling the rear cargo bins of water during each rainstorm was offsetting my front/back weight ratio. 
I just finished, DAMN was that easy! I wish I had done it before. Off to the carwash to test it out.
I just finished, DAMN was that easy! I wish I had done it before. Off to the carwash to test it out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 3
From: Encino CA
Originally Posted by Hooked on Vettes
No glue. There should be some kind of grease from the factory that allows the weatherstripping to move a little so don't wipe it off. Just remove the old and install the new.
Usually the rubber seperates from the vinly channel that slips over a lip so don't forget to remove it.
I use a cardboard box to support the rear portion of the glass.
To install the weatherstripping you need to pop off the hatch struts. With the palm of you hand pop off the hatch strut at the bottom ball socket. Might have to pry with a screwdriver. Do one strut, route the weatherstripping, reinstall the strut and do the other one.
Install the two 90 degree corners first and then work the weatherstripping into place. If you don't do the corners first you stand a chance of pulling the miter joints apart.
Usually the rubber seperates from the vinly channel that slips over a lip so don't forget to remove it.
I use a cardboard box to support the rear portion of the glass.
To install the weatherstripping you need to pop off the hatch struts. With the palm of you hand pop off the hatch strut at the bottom ball socket. Might have to pry with a screwdriver. Do one strut, route the weatherstripping, reinstall the strut and do the other one.
Install the two 90 degree corners first and then work the weatherstripping into place. If you don't do the corners first you stand a chance of pulling the miter joints apart.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 42
From: Baltimore, MD USA
Originally Posted by DougSilver
Quick related questions. The "goo" on a portion of the hatch weatherstripping on my 95 seems dried out and the weatherstripping in that area seems to flop around when the hatch is opened. Should I be putting some tack on it to hold it in place? Also, I am getting a bit of splitting at one of the 90-degree mitre joints--any way to fix? The weatherstripping is in otherwise excellent shape.
If you lift off the vinly channel (at least that's what I call it) you will see the goo underneath. No need to clean the goo off. It allows the weatherstripping to move around a little.
I haven't found a repair for the seperated corners. I have sewn them together and used some Right Stuff from Permatex and It's held for a year but it's not a permanent solution. Because the corners take a beating when closing the hatch, I'd recommend OEM.
I've used aftermarket (reinforced corners) and it failed in a couple of months.
Last edited by Hooked on Vettes; Jul 1, 2006 at 04:46 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
I used OEM and the new rubber had the grease already injected inside the channel, so I cleaned up my car as much as I could before putting the new stuff on. I then smeared some silicon grease all over the rubber in the corners and it helped make the glass move over it smoother when closing.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 3
From: Encino CA
Originally Posted by Hooked on Vettes
I think what you're looking at is the rubber which was attached with glue to a vinyl channel that slips on to a lip that goes around the hatch. It's a common failure for the rubber part to seperate from the vinly channel.
If you lift off the vinly channel (at least that's what I call it) you will see the goo underneath. No need to clean the goo off. It allows the weatherstripping to move around a little.
If you lift off the vinly channel (at least that's what I call it) you will see the goo underneath. No need to clean the goo off. It allows the weatherstripping to move around a little.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 42
From: Baltimore, MD USA
Originally Posted by DougSilver
So should I be using something to stick the rubber back down to the vinyl channel? Also, thanks for the a/c info--did you see my latest post about that?
I believe OEM is around $160.00. Aftermarket $50 and up. The OEM weatherstripping is very soft and compresses easily. The aftermarket stuff is very stiff.
As far as your AC problem, repost when it comes back.
Last edited by Hooked on Vettes; Jul 1, 2006 at 07:24 PM.