Inner Door seals - Comparison between vendors

[Blackie]

Hi all,

I am having constant issues with my door seals tearing, they get folded over when i shut the door, and as most of you would know, dont take much to tear. They are ok if i apply something like armorall on them, they slip on the stainless / window pillar trim and dont catch, but the way i see it, you shouldn't have to use products like armorall or aerospace 303 to make it slide so it doesn't get torn, it should just work.

I am interested to know what other options are out there (i have seen the two seal thread) but want something close to original, and also how they are holding up for people? I tried a pinchweld seal from a rubber shop today, but it ended up not having a big enough opening to push on over the headliner.

Thanks in advance

[Chris 16409]

I've been pretty happy with what Hervey sells.

http://www.specialtauto.com/delorean-parts/images/door-seal-inner.jpg

http://www.specialtauto.com/delorean-parts/images/inner-door-seal.jpg

They are pretty durable, and he includes some plastic tubing to join the two ends together. I like to put the seam where the light door switches are. Best of all, there is a metal retainer molded throughout the door seal. You can get rid of the clips the original seals used.

[stevedmc]

Do yourself a big favor and buy a seal you can apply directly to your door. You can read about my experimentation at: http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?445-Door-seal-mod-with-product-from-Lowes&highlight=lowes

[Chris 16409]

It looks like you can find a seal like Hervey's from McMaster Carr:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#bulb-seals/=d4257d

You need about 13-15 feet to do one door. If you order the 25 foot length, you may have enough to do both doors. I'll have to take some measurements of my seals to find out the exact seal to buy.

[82DMC12]

Bought mine from Grady like 7 years ago and never had a problem with them. I put tire shine on them about once a year.

Andy

[AirmanPika]

Yea when you get those measurements let me know. I need to replace my 3 year old seals already since my doors don't sit right and this direct option would be much cheaper. I need to do the outer ones too at some point.

[painterdave72]

Yes Rob Gradys seals rock!! Mine have been on there for over ten years and still are like new....

[Blackie]

Thanks for all of the replies guys.

I will contact Grady and give his a try i think.

[robvanderveer]

I've had a starting tear on the top corner of the door at the front. I've used a bike-tyre repair kit to reinforce the section, and sprayed some non-stick silicon on it, which gives me at least another 6 months.

Similary I used the same trick to join the 2 pieces together. I have some spare seal from the previous reinstallation, so I can use cut bits out and replace the top instead of replacing the entire seal.

[Blackie]

I've had a starting tear on the top corner of the door at the front. I've used a bike-tyre repair kit to reinforce the section, and sprayed some non-stick silicon on it, which gives me at least another 6 months.

Similary I used the same trick to join the 2 pieces together. I have some spare seal from the previous reinstallation, so I can use cut bits out and replace the top instead of replacing the entire seal.

That is what i have done for the time being, until my new ones are organised.

[Chris 16409]

Here are the measurements for the door seals. This is the diagram that corresponds to the measurements:

http://images1.mcmaster.com/Contents/gfx/large/1120a36l1l.png?ver=29922573

Edge - 1/8

A - 5/8

B - 9/16

C- 1 3/16

This is the part number on the web site, 1120A232.


Here is another seal with similar measurements:

Edge - 3/16

A - 5/8

B - 17/32

C- 1 5/32

This is the part number on the web site, 1120A332.

Both seals are $1.73 a foot.


Yea when you get those measurements let me know. I need to replace my 3 year old seals already since my doors don't sit right and this direct option would be much cheaper. I need to do the outer ones too at some point.

[kings1527]

Here are the measurements for the door seals. This is the diagram that corresponds to the measurements:

http://images1.mcmaster.com/Contents/gfx/large/1120a36l1l.png?ver=29922573

Edge - 1/8

A - 5/8

B - 9/16

C- 1 3/16

This is the part number on the web site, 1120A232.


Here is another seal with similar measurements:

Edge - 3/16

A - 5/8

B - 17/32

C- 1 5/32

This is the part number on the web site, 1120A332.

Both seals are $1.73 a foot.

Hi Chris,

Thanks a lot for posting this info. I'm really interested in this. I just put new seals on my door and the bulb is so big, it's catching on the door and tearing like everyone elses.

Two questions:

1) How do you like the McMaster seals, and
2) Out of the two part numbers you listed, which would you say is the better one at sealing water out but still clearing the door? I guess I'm looking for the biggest bulb that doesn't contact the door.

Thanks again.

Edit: actually, I guess the bulb is the same on both. But same question: are you happy with the performance?

[kings1527]

And are we sure Hervey's have a bulb that's 5/8"? I'm not a huge fan of going with the same diameter that I have now. That's the root cause of my problem. I'm hoping his are a little smaller but will still grip onto the GRP on the car.

[Lightning]

kings1527: I don't know what size Hervey sells but McMaster sells a bulb that is 3/16" smaller on their site so if you think that 5/8" is too much, the 7/16" could be an option. I've heard that improperly mounted doors will tear the seals but it is a decent job to loosen and realign them.

[Chris 16409]

Hey Alex. So far I've been happy with Hervey's seals. When I buy them again I'll go though McMaster. I think going with a slightly smaller bulb would be the sway to go. They seem to to a good job at keeping water out. I also have Martin's silicone outer door seals.

[kings1527]

Thanks Chris. I was thinking a smaller bulb would be better, too. I'm considering something smaller from McMaster.

Byrne Henninger has a two-part inner door seal that I'm interested in checking out. You have one seal that goes on the GRP ridge and then another that goes on the door itself. When the door closes, the two strips contact each other but at the same time there isn't all of the material hanging off the GRP that interferes with the door. He emailed me telling me about them but I haven't heard back from him on going ahead with my order. It sounds like a great alternative to a problem that's so common. And supposedly it provides some leeway with doors that are starting to become maligned, although I'm more of a fan of going in and correcting that problem specifically rather than a workaround.