Rubber Seal Kit for 240Z from VB

[texasz]

I'm looking at buying the rubber seal kit from VB for my 240Z but it does not look quite right. For instance on the rear hatch there is only on seal on the body but they show an inner and outter seal in the kit. Is this something that changed in the later 240Z models, is mine missing one of the seals (does not seam to be room for another one in there), or what?

I desperately have to replace the hatch window seal and figure that while I'm at it I might as well do all of them as time and necessity dictate so buying the kit is a much cheaper way to go.

[Bambikiller240]

All of the 240Z's had two seals. One is in the bodty opening all the way around it. 360 degrees. The inner seal is horseshoe shaped asnd does not go around the bottom of the opening. It is mounted on a small raised "lip" in the body opening. A little hard for me to explain.

OK, here's a pic I stole off of eBay. Excuse my poor drawing of the arrows showing the bottom ends of the outer seal.

[kmack]

FYI, I bought my seal kit from MSA. VB and MSA are pretty close in price, but MSA will beat VB's price. Good to know. I also liked the quality of MSA's kit.

I've heard a lot of people talk about the quality of the kits from Precision ?? (I can't remember the full name). MSA's kit is the exact same thing, only less expensive.

Make sure you geta tube of the black weather strip adhesive. #m and Permatex make good ones. You can use the yellow stuff, but it will show up more than the black will.

Good luck.

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by mperdue

So kmack, when you order from MSA, if you mention VB's lower price on the same product they'll beat it on the spot? The problem I can see them running into is that they're not always selling the exact same product from the same manufacturer.

They will beat the price on "exact same" items from "same" manufacturer. The rubber kit being discussed IS the same kit manufactured by Precision Replacement Parts Co. and sold by many parts sales companies. You can also buy it from the manufacturer, but you'd probably get a better price elsewhere, as they won't undercut the prices of their distributors.

BTW, some people don't like the kit. They say that they have problems closing the doors with the Precision door seals installed. Evidently the rubber is stiffer (not as soft and pliable as OEM) so they end up having to slam the door to get it to close. I can't vouch for that, as I have always used OEM seals on my 240Z.

[texasz]

bambikiller,

Thank you for the pic, I'll compare it to my hatch. Not right now though, it is pouring outside which means that I'll have to empty my swimming pool....errrr....ummmm.....spare tire well after it stops.

kmack,

Is the sealant stuff in the tube that MSA or VB sells the same as what you are talking about?

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by texasz

Is the sealant stuff in the tube that MSA or VB sells the same as what you are talking about?

Yes, it is. However, you can find it locally in "most" parts stores, perhaps cheaper that ordering and paying shipping on it. Just be sure that it says"Black Weatherstrip Sealant" on the tube.

[kmack]

On my car in dealing with the door seals, I can't say for sure that the seals were harder or not. Before I took my car apart, I don't remember having to slam the door very hard. But then it sat apart for 5 years, it's easy to forget little things like that. And the old seals were shot.

When putting it all back together, yes I did have to make some adjustments on the doors, but I would have had to make them anyway. I took everything apart. I'm still doing minor adjustments to the doors as time progresses and the seals seat themselves some.

I really think the problem people incounter with the doors not shutting properly is that the door may have been adjusted to the old seals. Then of course, the new seals will make it hard to shut again. I'm not saying that this is the case all the time, but I'm pretty sure it happens quite often and everyone just blames the seals.

(Although, I don't really have a strong comparison to new OEM seals. I'm happy with the Precision Replacement product I received from MSA.)

[texasz]

I got the seal kit in Friday. Now I need to know about the silicon spray that I read about in another post but can not find now. There was some good advice on installing a windshield (I think) and using something like weekeater line to seat the rubber seal and spraying it with some kind of silicon instead of soapy water as silicon will not cause rust and the soapy water may not completely dry and could cause rust.

*sigh* Now the question! What is this silicon spary and where can I get it?

[kmack]

You can get the silicon spray at just about any autoparts store. pepBoys or AutoZone, etc.... But I did not use it when installing my windshield or hatch glass and had no problems what so ever.

Go to Wally-Mart and get yourself a roll of the thick weedeater line. (Should be a little less than 1/8" thick, or there about) Put a bead of weatherstrip adhesive down the inside channel (where the glass sits) of the seal, and then put the seal on the glass and seat it good. Then take the weedeater line and wrap it around the outside channel of the seal at least 3 times, all the way around the glass.

Place the glass on the car, and from the inside, grap the begining of the line. Pull slowly to seat the seal on the body. You may need to help the seal seat, but the line should do most of the work. The reason for wrapping the line 3 times, is the seal may not seat perfectly the first time around. But it will by the 2nd or 3rd time. after you have pulled all of the line out of the seal and the glass has seated on the body, take a rubber mallet and tap (lightly) around the seal to make sure it is seated. That's all there is to it.

Now putting those little chrome strips back in...that's a whole other affair that takes two people...

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by kmack

Now putting those little chrome strips back in...that's a whole other affair that takes two people...

I've never done this job, but I've been told that the way to install the trim strips is to install them in the seal BEFORE the installation of the windsheild. Then follow the directions that kmack has posted for installation of the whole assembly into the chassis.