Location: North Carolina
Posts: 60
My VIN: 3743
Hi, just replaced all my door seals, as I figured the doors are harder to close. What is the best practice for breaking in the new seals. What type of grease can I apply to help if any? Unfortunately it has been rainy and chilly out so no warm sunny day in the forecast to let it sit outside.
Is it absolutely necessary to play with the strikers when the doors closed fine before with the 40 year old seals?
I appreciate the help.
Location: FL
Posts: 948
My VIN: Early
Never mess with strikers on a good closing door.
Coat with some silicone grease, like sil glyde, and close door and leave shut for awhile.
Last edited by 81dmc; 03-10-2022 at 08:55 PM.
Early 81 5spd conversion- DMCH Ground Effects, Double Din, Custom Instrument Cluster, QA1 Suspension, 3.0 PRV with MS3
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 60
My VIN: 3743
Thank you, I appreciate itOriginally Posted by 81dmc
Location: Northwest Florida
Posts: 324
My VIN: Midproduction
Your door is probably catching along the edges.....find the spot, pull out the weatherstrip and reinstall. When you do, pull the weatherstrip away from the door as you push the seal in along those trouble spots. That should tilt the seal back enough to improve your issue.
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 60
My VIN: 3743
Thank you for reply, are you referring to the inner door seal or outer?
Location: Northwest Florida
Posts: 324
My VIN: Midproduction
Inner
Location: Mebane, NC
Posts: 346
My VIN: 06668 81' Grey interior, 5 speed, Grooved hood. Previous owner of 16301, in 2001. Found Nov 2019, a
Silicone lube on inner door seal. Watch the corners for the seal grabbing. Close the door let it sit so they can seat.
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 8,581
My VIN: 10757 1st place Concourse 1998
The door seals can come in several sizes (heights) to compensate for differences in the fiberglass tubes, especially among the early cars. It is possible you got a seal that is too tall. If you still have a piece of the old seal compare it to the new one you put in. Make sure you put the seal on with the holes on the correct side and the joint by the jamb switches with a short piece of rubber tubing inside. Slather the door and the inner seal along the top especially by the outside turn with silicone spray.
David Teitelbaum
Location: Danvers, ma
Posts: 104
My VIN: 4328
Don't use silicone spray, won't do much for it. Make sure to use silicone grease, makes a huge difference
Location: Hasselt, Belgium
Posts: 898
My VIN: 05141
I had exactely the same issue. Early wear on the seal too. When visiting DMC Europe, Ed tells me that the seal is installed wrong. You can do this left or right only, so I took it off right there and reinstalled, worked perfect!
So flip the seal.
John
Steering with power
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