HELP!! How do you shrink rubber?
 

I just bought a nice new rubber window seal that goes around my rear "pop out - hinged" window. The old seal took some pulling to get it off; however, the new one goes on but will not stay on! Their is a groove in the frame for the rubber, but it needs to be SHRUNK to stay on. I tried the adhesive and its a mess and did not do enough.

Any wizards out there who can suggest some type of method to get this baby a bit smaller? Boiling water? Freeze it? Pour hydrogen peroxide on it? Inhale niitrous oxide and say the hell with it?

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks
Bob
73.5T

Bob - don't have an answer but will be doing the same task on my 73.5 soon. Hope someone will answer who's solved this issue.

Jeff

I don't know of any possible way to shrink rubber... most of the time the rubber is a bit too small and you end up stretching it!

When I have rubber seals/gaskets that are too large, I use a very sharp blade and cut a section (non-critical area) out and install the seal normally with some silicone between the joined area. If done correctly, it should work perfectly. Just don't cut too much out on the first try!

Bob,

I will be facing that job as well in several months. Did you get a Porsche part or a cheaper aftermarket part? Supposedly aftermarket rubber parts don't fit very well.

if you have a oem rubber seal it should fit correctly if not send it back.

the pop out window seal does not need glue it has a bead that snaps into the metal channel. it takes a little work but it will go in.

the cutting method is the answer

Try putting in the freezer. Dont know if it will work but its worth a try.

Yeah, we ALL have that problem.... http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/icon26.gif

Okay, heres the deal.
The part did come from Pelican, but heh, the dealer wanted $100.00, so this was a bargain and worth the extra effort to save $50.00 for the same piece.

Indeed their is a groove or channel in the window but the rubber would not seat right. It would pop out. I used good old soap and water and was liberal with it on the rubber. You have to press down hard (thought I was going to break my thumb one time) to work that piece into the channel while the outer lip was over the chrome frame. Start with the long flat edge that is the part that permanently mounts to the body. Thats the toughest section.

Take you time and be patient. Take a GOOD LOOK at the old piece already on to see the fit. The secret is the soapy lubricant.

Lessons learned.
Appreciate the feedback.

Bob

pelican sells oem quality seals, that is where i purchased mine. i think my thumbs hurt for a week after i did mine.

I mine a little while ago and needless to say it was a major pain. Took several hours, get comfy. The seal will stay in there but first put it on, line up corners first and stretch over the arch.
Then lube and using your thumbs, or if your daring a dull flat screwdriver with tape on the ends, work it in.
It helps to push at an angle:seat the lip side completely on first and roll it towards the channel where it will pop into place (and then pop out during the next section.) Make sure the correct side seal is being used :rolleyes: and have patience. When its on all the way, be gingerly with it and after a day or so it seems to stay in place. The feeling in your thumbs will return after a couple of days, good luck and don't cut it.

From someone who has done this several times: make sure you have the right seals. Several people sold me seals that were about 1/2" too tall. They will not fit unless you cut them.

I finally went to a used parts place and found two just the right size. I think the later models (88 on?) are a bit larger opening.

PS use yellow 77 lubricant, it works great.

When I used to run a large pool, I once baked a huge o-ring that had stretched. It worked perfectly and shrunk the diameter by about 0.5". I don't know if I would do that with an expensive Porsche gasket though.