87 Carrera / anyone replaced the fender to cowl seals?

[VenezianBlau 87]

If so, please describe what is involved in this project.
I really appreciate any sound advice.
-----------------
Bob Sauerteig
'87 Carrera

[john walker's workshop]

other than loosening enough screws so the gap can be wedged open enough, the trim piece should be trimmed to about 1/2 it's depth or it's a bit difficult to get it down flush. i've seen a few cars with a spot weld at the rear of the fender (on the lip where the screws are) to the cowl, which would make the job harder. a small screwdriver can be inserted between the fender and inner panel, about 2" ahead of the front edge of the trim strip to widen the gap. slip a piece of cardboard between the screwdriver and the fender to keep from chipping the paint. don't pry, just bip it straight down into the crack a bit.

[Nickshu]

I did this some time ago. Its alot more difficult than it looks. I ended up having to trim the bottoms out of each hole of the seal to keep it from hanging up on each pass-thru for the fender bolts. As John said, definitely remove the bolts and use extreme caution when prying the fender/cowl apart to keep from chipping the paint.
I remember that to get a couple parts of the seal to seat completely I had to lay a towel over the seal and tap it **gently** with a rubber mallet.

Looks great when its done though!!!

Good luck,
Nick.

[VenezianBlau 87]

Thanks John and Nick. I am printing this out as I respond.
I figured it was harder than it looked...that's why I asked you guys!
-------------------------
Bob Sauerteig

[steve911]

Bob--
I did this two weeks ago on my '85 Targa, and contrary to my other pelican posters, I'll tell you that this is really pretty simple. the key is to make sure that you've got the right tool(s) and are patient.

First off, I sprayed each of the bolts (4 on each side) with WD40 and let them sit overnight. Not sure if I needed to let it go that long, but it worked.

Inside the trunk, using a 10MM socket, loosen the 2 bolts closest to the fender/cowl seal. That is LOOSEN, DO NOT REMOVE.

Inside the door jamb, you'll need a 5MM allen socket along with a universal joint and a 3" extension. A 5MM allen wrench with ball end is also helpful. Again, LOOSEN, but DO NOT REMOVE these.

Once the bolts are loosened, you'll need to pull the old seals out. I ended up working it from both ends, since the middle is where it is tightest.

Once I had the seals out, I again sprayed WD40 into the area - its amazing how much gunk accumulates there, particularly after 15+ years! I then used a towel and some q-tips to get as much stuff out of there.

After I was satisfied that the area was ready, I sprayed a greaseless lubricant onto the seal to make it easier to slide down. Others have suggested that dishsoap would work as well.

I started from the door and worked my way forward, applying downward pressure to force the seal to sit. I wish I had known about John Walker's trick of trimming the bottom 1/2", but I got it to fully go in. I did have to use the rounded end of a craftsman screwdriver to get on small area to 'sit', but that was it.

total time was about an hour and a half.

also, the seals come in 2 different top widths 4MM & 6MM (the part going down between the fender and cowl is the same on both. The 4MM is for the regular 911, while the 6MM is for the turbo.

mine were REALLY shot, and I'm totally pleased at what the new ones have done for the car.

My advice is to go for it!

now if only I can get rid of my stone chips........