Fitting Upper Corner Seals

[EarlyZed]

I am puzzled as to how to fit Upper Corner Door Seals. They may have came in marked bags, but I now have two in hand and must guess at which is left and right.

Does anyone have a good description or picture of exactly how these fit (and how to tell left from right)?

Thanks,

Randy

[AZ-240z]

Randy,

Are these the seals that that mount between the lower, aft edge of the door window frame and door body metal, or are these the small L shaped seals that mount to the upper, forward edge of the quarter window frame?

Dan

[EarlyZed]

These are the small seals that fit to the door window frame and door body metal. I have attached a pic I found on ebay.

Thanks,

Randy

[EScanlon]

Those are the seals that mount to the REAR inside corner of the window frame as it enters the actual door body itself.

Look at the inside of the corner, and you should note that there is a "step" to the rubber. This step lines up with the edge of the door frame metal and lays flat on the SS Window frame surface. The little tab of rubber that sticks out the side gets glued to the inside surface of the door, and will then protrude UNDER the inside door panel.

Use a good quality adhesive, as these prevent water from entering the inside of the door plenum through the rear entry for the window frame.

While 3M Weatherstrip Adhesive is quite good, you need to know how to use it well in order to have good success in this application. Due to the amount of rubbing and wear it will get when you enter and leave the car and with the door closing and hitting the door seal, it can and will rub. If the adhesive isn't used properly, it will allow the seal to peel off.

3M to be used properly, requires a very thin coat first on both CLEAN surfaces, then a second thin coat to re-activate it before it will hold strongly enough for this use. It is that second coat that gets tricky. Too much and it will literally dissolve the bond of the first, not enough and the contact will have been "dry" and won't have any hold.

If you have doubts as to whether this will work for you, use silicone (and sparingly) or my favorite - Goop. Goop is like a thickened and rubberized silicone. If used properly you can even re-build chunks taken out of sneakers.

FWIW

E

[jmark]

I agree Randy. I have a set I have yet to install because I couldn't figure where they go.....

[AZ-240z]

The little tab of rubber that sticks out the side gets glued to the inside surface of the door, and will then protrude UNDER the inside door panel.

FWIW

E

I think that those little rubber tabs that stick out of the side go toward the outer side of the window frame and under the ends of the stainless and rubber window wiper strip that mounts on the top, outer edge of the window ledge. At least, that how mine are mounted which may or may not be correct.

It makes me VERY NERVOUS when I appear to be correcting Escanlon.

Dan

[EScanlon]

Dan;

No worries on correcting me, if I goof I definitely want it pointed out.

On that note, the problem with this piece is that there are actually TWO tabs. One that is the long and straight piece very visible in the picture, and the SECOND tab which gets lost in the lack of contrast and detail of the picture.

I'm attaching a blown up image of that same picture with some labels put in.

In my haste to answer, I didn't complete the explanation.

Wick Humble's book "How to Restore your Datsun Z-Car" on page 163 in the lower left shows a picture of the tab you mention with the caption: "Rear sealing rubber must be cemented in steps. Little tab is further secured by window-trim strip"

While the picture helps, it doesn't show the OTHER tab which does go under the door panel.

The written description in the book reads:

"Rear Sealing Rubber -- This little seal is cemented on as well. It has one specific place it fits and no other. Note that the small outer tab wraps around and secures under the edge of the stainless trim, unlike the front. Make a trial fit of the rubber and note the adhesive must be applied to different sides of the part, where it interfaces with different parts of the door and frame. Take your time and get a neat, secure bond." (W. Humble: How to Restore your Datsun Z-Car; p 163; Body Exterior & Drive Line Assembly)

So, Dan, you were absolutely right to say something as I hadn't explained properly and in re-reading my post it could be said that I had it backwards. There is a tab that goes under the door panel, but not the one that is readily visible in the picture. That's where I goofed.

Hope this helps.

E

[EarlyZed]

Thanks! That is exactly the description I was looking for!

Everything else is so close now. I might even get it out for a cruise this weekend!

Randy

[AZ-240z]

Dan;

No worries on correcting me, if I goof I definitely want it pointed out.

On that note, the problem with this piece is that there are actually TWO tabs. One that is the long and straight piece very visible in the picture, and the SECOND tab which gets lost in the lack of contrast and detail of the picture.

E,

I am certainly glad that we both turned out to be correct for whatever reason. Wick's book has been invaluable to me. AS an example, the rubber seal that is glued and held with several plastic rivets to the forward edge of the door/windowframe interface also has an install quirk that I almost missed. On that piece of rubber seal, there is also a tab which is cemented onto the outside, forward end of that stainless window ledge trim. I have usually found that tab tucked under the front edge of that trim piece. I don't have Wick's book with me or I would reference that page.

Thanks, again for the clarification, E.

Dan

[Dayz]

Any picture? Can someone take a picture for me...please! I am soon done with this resto but cannot seem to fnd a logical way ( in my book) to installed these.

Also, the front rubber seal picture would help a lot as well.

Thanks in advance guys,

Dayz