Trunk weather seal problem
 

The trunk seal on my 73 has come out of the channel, just in front of the vent screen on the cowel, and I cannot seem to seat it again. The seal is soft and pliant but just too wide to fit into the channel opening. It's still glued at one end and in the middle but there's a section of about one foot that has come out. Does anyone have the secret on how to get the seal into the channel so it seats correctly? I've tried liquid soap, stretching the seal to make it "thinner" so it will fit, but as soon as it's released it pops out.:confused:

is it at the right angle?

can you post pics? I can check my '73.5 and compare if you want

Can you post a picture to help? It should just push down in (assuming it's the same as my 71) without any force. I don't even have mine glued in and it sits fine...

Karl
71 911E

Thanks for the replies and sorry, I can't post a pic right now (the car's not here.) It's along the cowel, between the corner and the center of the cowel. I too thought it would just push in like Karl said, but I cannot seem to do it. The seal is snug in the channel everywhere else. I'm stumped.

Did the channel get bent somehow in that area? Like:

/___| or \____| versus |___| ?

You may have to glue it in... using 3M weather strip adhesive. That stuff is really, really strong - to the point where it will remove paint if you just try to chisel it off... It sets instantly so it would be easy to do at least.

FWIW,

Karl
71 911E

glue sure - but he can't get it in there in the first place

yes, check for bends -- I guess we could measure off a diagram if you don't have a digital camera*

* turns out these are one of the best car repair tools ever made...

Curious here... I thought the trunk seal was glued in. Based on Ossiblue's post, I guess it is not. I need to replace the original seal on my 71 and was planning on gluing it in. I am glad I read this post as I now see that it is placed in.

Sorry about the lack of pictures but I don't have easy access to the car. You have all understood the problem though as evidenced by your replies.

The channel is not bent, that I can remember from all the time I spent trying to fit it in.

RWebb hit the nail--I can't get the seal in to glue it, it seems too wide.

Here's what I think is wrong: The seal is pliable but I don't know how old it is nor how long that portion was out of the channel as I just recently got the car. Maybe the seal has been out of the channel for quite a while and the pressure of the trunk lid has flattened and widened it so it no longer fits. Does that sound possible? I need new seals anyway so I'll probably just add a new trunk seal to the list and start from there.

One thing I heard - is to ONLY use new Porsche seals -- not aftermarket -- supposed to be poor fit with rapid crumbling.