Advise please...


Surrounds the hood?
There are actually four separate pieces that make contact with the hood when closed and none of them "surround" the hood.If you're speaking about the two pieces (right and left) that attach to the fender and make contact with the sides of the hood, then you need to contact either of our two forum vendor GM dealers for the best pricing of replacement pieces. These will, however, be just like the ones you took off. I don't know of anyone offering a "larger", "thicker" or "heavier gauge" rubber. Maybe someone else can chime in on that aspect of your question.
I can pass on a tip regarding the two replacement pieces (assuming they are in fact the two side pieces you're referring to) in order to save you some money.
Order 2 of GM part number 10408626. That part number is actually the number shown for a convertible side rear wetherstripping. It is, with only a very small difference, the same shape, size, etc as the 10404247 part number listed for the front fender of your car, but is it significantly cheaper in price. The only difference is that on one end of the 10408626, there is a very short section in which there is a slight curve. This curved end is the one that normally goes on the "forward" end of the car when installed on a convertible and conforms to the curved shape on the convertible body. It is easily snipped off with a pair of scissors or razor blade if need be and works like a charm on the front fenders of all C5's.
Call Fichtner Chev at 1-800-234-5284 and speak to Bob in parts for their current pricing. You'll see what I mean. Check it out.
HTH,
Robert




