Interior Questions

[SShaw]

I only have a few remaining interior eye sores that I’m looking to clear up and have some questions. My surrounding door seal won’t stay in place. I, as well as previous owners, have tried using some sealant but that just looks worse when it comes off. I have the original seals. If I replace them with the new kind, are they wider, more secure and likely to stay in place?

Also, my driver’s side trim/arm rest is pretty beat up. The arm rest piece has separated. I’ve tried pulling it back together with pop rivets but it always separates. These seem hard to come by. Any ideas where I can get one? It’s the older/wider style and I only need the driver’s side.

Thanks!!54722

[Gregadeth]

My surrounding door seal won’t stay in place. I, as well as previous owners, have tried using some sealant but that just looks worse when it comes off.
Give it a few light taps with a rubber mallet. That's been my M.O. and it has worked great. Just pushing it in by hand isn't enough to hold it in place.

[Jonathan]

Most cars tend to have the door seals start and finish at about the spot where the door light switch plungers are. I'm not sure what exactly the science is behind that though. I have seen ones where the two ends are along the straight flat portion of the door sill and they can get pulled at with your legs or butt when you get in and out.

And Greg's comment about the mallet lightly hitting the seals into place is bang on. You will see the door seal make it all the way into position with the fiberglas lip pushed all the way into the recess flap of the seal. It is much harder on your hands and fingers to try and do it without the mallet and it still does not seem to go all the way on. It's obvious when you see it click all the way in.

[DMC-81]

If you have the originals, I think a new set will improve things and adhere better. You shouldn't need adhesive sealant on them.

I just replaced my inner door seals with DMC's new re-designed version. In short, they are awesome. I'm very happy with these parts.

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=54622&d=1511210648

I was lucky to time my visit to DMCFL when Stephen Wynne was visiting and I got a tutorial from him on installing these specific seals.

In short summary:

- make sure you check clearances between the old seal and the door. Any chafing or tearing of the old seal with either the door, headliner or pillar molding needs to be corrected beforehand. Two common wear/interference areas are the front and rear bends between the roof portion and the side portion
- seal seams go at/near the door light switches (as mentioned above)
- use a small rubber mallet to fully seat the seals (as mentioned above)
- you should use the edge clips (SP10497) that come with the kit ( this may be part of the solution for you)
- use silicone spray lubricant liberally on the seal and a bit on the contact area on the door frame.
- if necessary leave the newly installed seals in the warm sun to promote forming.


Good luck.

[David T]

The door seal has metal clips molded into it and you have to really bang the seal on to bend them and have them grip the edge. If you try to do it with your hand you will not get the seal all the way on and you will damage your hand. At the joint (which should be positioned by the door plunger switch) you should stick a short piece of rubber tubing into the ends of the door seal to help it stay in shape. The joint is put there because it is a relativity straight section and is not likely to cause a leak. It is also not as noticeable. Clean the surfaces of the door that come in contact with the seal and wipe silicone lubricant on the seal AND the door surfaces liberally so the seal can slide and not tear. Some vendors sell different versions, short, medium, and tall because on some cars the "one size fits all" doesn't work. Especially on the early cars. Discuss your specific needs with your favorite vendor. Check the outer seals too. Most cars need the upper, outer door seal by the torsion bars. When installing the inner seals make sure the headliner fabric is trimmed so it won't get wet on the outer side of the door seal and wick the water inside and get stained.

[SShaw]

Thanks for all the input. I’ll give the rubber mallet a shot first. If that doesn’t work I’ll probably just go ahead and buy new seals. I’ve already replaced the upper door seals.