Wheather Strip Problems
I bought the deluxe wheather strip kit from Corvette Central, and after I installed it. The doors won't close unless slambed shut, and The power windows will not fully go up if the door is closed. Nothing seems to fit right, and I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong. The kit did not come with directions. Does this kit need to be trimmed, or cut to fit? The originals seemed to be more like rubber. This new stuff seems to be more like a thick foam. Also is the A pillar strip supose to stay one piece as it bends down to the front fender, or should it be cut at the bend? Thanks for any help! NICK
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Re: Wheather Strip Problems
Nick, sometimes the weatherstrips just need to sit with the door closed to compress alittle, for now if the windows fit properly and conform to the windows you can adjust the door striker out alittle to ease the door closing, the aftermarket gaskets are not as the factory, The rubber tends to be a little more dense and doesn't compress as easy.New England chapter member, 63 Convert. 327/340- Chapter/Regional/national Top Flight, 72 coupe- chapter and regional Top Flight. -
Re: Wheather Strip Problems
Nick,
The weatherstrip will compress over time with the doors closed.
A nice hot sunny day will also help a lot.
Obviously putting the car outside today will not help.Comment
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Re: Wheather Strip Problems
You're into an assy area where there's a LOT of 'art' content... In prior posts, John Hinckley outlined a factory installation 'trick' that was borrowed from Fisher Body to achieve that good-solid feel GM was known for in coachmanship (you should be able to find the threads in the archives).
The 'guts' of the process involved pre-heating the weatherstripping prior to its final installation such that it'd easily compress when a door, trunk lid, rear deck lid was initially closed and 'learn' the exact geomerty of its working environment...
I'm not sure you can duplicate that once you've phyiscally installed your weather stripping cold/raw. Plus, there are physical differences between factory original rubber and what's available today (polymerization, areation, specific extrusion profile) that result in slight differences in durometer and physical fit.
But, as others have mentioned, the weatherstripping WILL compress and 'learn' its working enviroment over time. However, it can take QUITE a while for this to happen...
On the side glass window, there's only so much force the power window motors exert before they 'stall'. There are quite a few individual adjustment points inside the door to 'fine tune' the travel of the window glass (up/down limits, fore/aft tilt, inboard/outboard tilt). These are best described by the Chassis Service Manual.
Unfortunately, there's a learning curve associated with getting the adjustment receipe 'right' and the first time one tackles this job, it's essentially an iterative trial/error process...Comment
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Re: Wheather Strip Problems
Lots of good advice, but I believe this is a very common problem with the aftermarket pieces available, some being better than others. There is truly no substitute for the product originally designed and installed by the General and his men. While pricey, nothing fits like "the real thing'.
LynnComment
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Re: Wheather Strip Problems
I had the same problem with my 70 vert.
I looked at different weather stripping for my 70. I ended up buying Corvette Rubber because I felt they most closely felt like the original in terms of density and flexibility.
I do not know if CC makes their own but you may want to check out Corvette Rubber.
I had purchased NOS weather stripping before going through this process, and the NOS stripping was just too hard from being on a shelf that long. Be careful even with NOS stripping if you can find it.
I am quite happy with the Corvette Rubber stuff. Just wish they had the latex skin like the originals. Then they would likely be too expensive.
BillComment
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Re: Wheather Strip Problems
if you received from a manufacturer called "soft-seal"
throw them all out and get CRC. They will never fit, and you will never be able to get the window and t-tops to adjust (if your car is a coupe).
Wilcox sells their product and as mentioned - they are the best and closest to NOS in fit and feel. I think Doc as well as Corvette America sell CRC product too.Comment
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Re: Wheather Strip Problems
Thanks everyone! All great advise. I'll look into the other brands. NICKComment
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Re: Wheather Strip Problems
Rubber is made in different hardness. It's measured in darometers. The softer the rubber the harder it is to manafacture. Most repo rubber is too hard & I have found the deck lid weatherstriping is the worst. Heating before instelation sonds like a good idea though.
KEN65 350 TI CONV 67 J56 435 CONV,67,390/AIR CONV,70 454/air CONV,
What A MAN WON'T SPEND TO GIVE HIS ASS A RIDEComment
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Re: Wheather Strip Problems
Dear Nick,
I just had my 74 convertible Al Knoch top installed with all new weatherstripping from Al as well. I have all the same problems you had. You have to slam the door shut and the power windows stall and do not fully close. The passenger window can not be opened at all. The installer said to give it time and sprayed silicone along the edges. Would the power window motor need to be changed? It just operates very slow. Any further ideas? Thanks GuenterComment
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Re: Wheather Strip Problems
I replaced t-top and door weatherstrip (c-3) with GM back in the late 80's and had the same problems discussed, my dad gave me a can of K-44 SILICON LUBRICATING COMPOUND from a dealer that was used on 50'-60' pontiac weatherstripping. Warm temp's, re-applying SILICON and time finally made the fit like new again. I would suggest opening the doors when operating windows and be sure window regulator and moving parts have been lubricated until new weatherstrip has been compressed. SteveComment
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Re: Wheather Strip Problems
Guenter, I'm not sure how strong your window motors were before you installed the wheather strip, but if they were weak before, they may have more trouble with the new rubber. That is the case with my motors. The driver side window motor was stronger then the passenger side. Now that the new rubber is on, the driver side is slower going up, and the passenger side will only go half way up if the door is closed. I'm holding out for now, and am going to see if the rubber breaks in better with the warmer wheather comming.Comment
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Re: Wheather Strip Problems
Nick,
Appreciate your comments. What makes the motor work slowly? Is it not enough torque due to the voltage or just old age? Both of mine moved fairly well prior to new weatherstripping. GuenterComment
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