How to Fix your Targa Window Gap

[OsoMoore]

If you are Targa like me, you are probably frequently looking for ways to make your windows seal better. There are a couple of manuals floating around, but I thought it would be useful to post some pics and how I corrected an issue.

The issue is that my driver's side window was not closing high enough. I have power windows, and when the window reached its max height, it was about 0.8 cm shy of where it should be.
These two pics show the difference in height between the passenger window and the driver's window.



To fix the issue, you need to open the door panel up. Then you should loosen the bolt shown below (where the wrench is) and slide it further up and towards the front of the car. This will cause the motor to push the window higher. To access the bolt, raise the window until you see the bolt through the access hole. You may also need to adjust the rubber bumper stop via the golden screw and nut at the top edge of the door in the center.

Once you are done with your adjustment, be sure to seal the door well with a good moisture barrier. I use trash bags and duct tape, along with an hour of careful patience, to ensure my door stays dry inside.

[theiceman]

Yeah i have similar issues . so this could be the beginning of a good discusion, when i think it is high enough , when i go to close it it doesnt sit in the little groove in the Targa roof , so i may beed additional adjustments.

I have manual windows and there is a limit screw when you take the door topper off , so a litle bit of a difference.

What did you find to ne the correct height ? is the 333mm you show the correct value for your car or was that the short value ?

Good post BTW .


For me I cant get the front quarter Window to sit tight no matter what adjustment I make ..

[OsoMoore]

The passenger side window closed cleanly and snug with the targa top seal. That was the height and result I was looking for with the driver's side door. I'm not sure if that is a official height value.

I suspect that on an older car like this that the doors may hang a little differently then from the factory, and the targa seals are no longer fully within original spec. Consequently, being able to make minor adjustments is important.

Regarding your triangle window - I assume you used the bolts in the door panel (like the one with the washer in my pic's upper left. I was able to get a little play and make mine seal better. I also used some caulk to improve the targa top seal shape at the top of that window.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by theiceman

..when i go to close it it doesnt sit in the little groove in the Targa roof , so i may need additional adjustments.

I have the same deal. New top from Petchel in Feb allowed me to adjust window height easy enough.

I did notice where my driver's door hinge pins are tired and allow a little movement in the door if i pull on the rear bottom of the door when it's open.

There has to be some side to side slop as well that may make it hard to get it into the targa side seal slot.

Check your door pins out. If so, may be an "easy" fix for both of us.

[911Freak]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

I have the same deal. New top from Petchel in Feb allowed me to adjust window height easy enough.

I did notice where my driver's door hinge pins are tired and allow a little movement in the door if i pull on the rear bottom of the door when it's open.

There has to be some side to side slop as well that may make it hard to get it into the targa side seal slot.

Check your door pins out. If so, may be an "easy" fix for both of us.

I got my windows to slide into the little groove in the Targa tops by adjusting those side rubbers on the Targa top. I have the factory targa top adjustment manual and it clearly shows how to solve that issue...

Basically each side rubber on the top is secured/adjusted by 3 small screws that allow the top window rubber to slide out and down, thus catching the top of the window...

HTH
Jason

[SchnellSchweitz]

My windows shut too high. I've just shut my doors with the windows down slightly... Ha! I always thought that's the way you dealt with this issue. Perhaps there is a solution to this here???

[CCM911]

Good Stuff Osso!

Maybe one day, one of us will actually have a Targa that can be driven at highway speeds without sounding like there is an F15 Tomcat idling in the passenger seat. LOL!

My next project will be to install the new windshield top seal that has been sitting in my garage for the past three years. LOL.

You have inspired me to post photos when I do so.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by 911Freak

I have the factory targa top adjustment manual and it clearly shows how to solve that issue

My factory manual says the same thing.. Been thru it prior to top rebuild.

I was so happy (post top rebuild) to get the window tops to align with the seal that I set the job down for a while cause it was way better than it was.

Frankly, I need the correct front seal and THEN adjust all to meet the new top.

Tired hinge pins or not, until all the adjustments are made, I wont know if the hinge pins can drive sealing issues. I suspect the door would have to be really floppy to make a difference.

[dave 911]

Good stuff, thanks for posting! Along with the tip about the targa top rubber.

Originally Posted by CCM911

...Maybe one day, one of us will actually have a Targa that can be driven at highway speeds without sounding like there is an F15 Tomcat idling in the passenger seat. LOL!
....

OBTW, F14 Tomcat (Navy), F15 Eagle (Air Force). Both are LOUD And I have one in my car when driving w/ the top on also

[CCM911]

Thanks, Dave!

Sorry for the misquote.

You must be a Navy guy.

[Jack Stands]

I just purchased my second targa, so will also be dealing with sealing the top once again. Between this car and my 914s, I think the best solution is to only drive on nice days with the top off!

I do have a couple of umbrella tops that I can use when parked to help keep out rain out of the interior. Love to hear people's success stories on sealing the top!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by dave 911

...................Along with the tip about the targa top rubber.)

Check into that before buying. If you just go to say, Stoddards, and buy the part number it will be the 964 rubber which is fatter and requires trimming. Pelican indicate their seals require no trimming so that sounds like a safe bet.

I trimmed the rubber with instructions but left it fat at the corners of the windshield. It is clearly wrong and I just need to suck it up and buy the correct seal.

[darrin]

on mine, an important step was to adjust the height/orientation of the fixed triangular windows too, my driver's side was too low (causing another gap on the side seal) and the passenger side was too high (pushing up on the front corner of the roof) both by a millimeter or 3

[strikee]

My understanding from the targa top tech thread started by Dan, is a large percentage of the noise from Targas is the top bellowing in the wind, most likely from a worn out top. I proved this the other day by duct taping up the gap at the front of my windshield and driving. The noise was still present (horribly loud). In my situation I believe the skin of my targa is old and flapping around in the breeze at speed, bit like the venturi effect lifting it off the frame and making the horrible noise. When I get round to it I will either rebuild my top or send it to Dan, hopefully the latter, although its not cheap from Oz.

[Discseven]

Great post for Targa owners Oso!

I'll add notes on the adjustment of window's tilt to the roof. Photos are of an '80 Targa door.

There are two places to make the tilt adjustment. At this bolt (arrow below) which secures the bottom of the forward window track to the door shell. This is the forward adjustment.




On the inside of the door shell at the location shown above, shims (washers) can be positioned to increase or decrease the tilt of the window to the roof. More shims tighten the window to the roof. Fewer shims loosen it. Below looks at the inside of the door. My shims are wrapped in electrical tape --- helps to keep them together when installing them.

911Freak's adjustment is the way to go for smaller adjustments. And adjusting the window to the roof is more easily done Freak's way than adjusting window tilt (because the forward tilt adjustment requires the door panel being off.) I'm not an expert but I would say "tilt adjustment" if for secondary and more radical window-to-roof tuning.




Rear tilt adjustment is made by loosening the Allens that secure the window's rear track. Not much angle adjustment here. Two Allens secure the top of the track. One Allen secures the bottom. (My Allens are completely out only due to stripping this door --- they only need to be loosened to make a rear tilt adjustment.)

[CCM911]

When I used to take my Targa up to Watkins Glen for DE, I could not stand the noise. So I also used duct tape along the front edge of my top, where it meets the top of the windshield frame. And the result was total silence.

I guess in my case, it is the front seal that is bad.

Originally Posted by strikee

My understanding from the targa top tech thread started by Dan, is a large percentage of the noise from Targas is the top bellowing in the wind, most likely from a worn out top. I proved this the other day by duct taping up the gap at the front of my windshield and driving. The noise was still present (horribly loud). In my situation I believe the skin of my targa is old and flapping around in the breeze at speed, bit like the venturi effect lifting it off the frame and making the horrible noise. When I get round to it I will either rebuild my top or send it to Dan, hopefully the latter, although its not cheap from Oz.

[marktodo]

My 85 electric side window went to high. Now the window has come out of it's track (holder at the base). I tried to clean it up and epoxy it didn't last. Any more permanent fix ideas.
mark

[964TargaC2]

I have two folding roofs for my targa, the one original to the car fits fine, the other has the gaps at the windows , is there any adjustment on the roof itself (its a 964 btw)

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by 964TargaC2

I have two folding roofs for my targa, the one original to the car fits fine, the other has the gaps at the windows , is there any adjustment on the roof itself (its a 964 btw)

The '80 ish side rubbers attached to the roof have some adjustment to them. There are a few small screws to be loosened... accessed through holes in the rubber. Not sure if it is same for your model.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by marktodo

My 85 electric side window went to high. Now the window has come out of it's track (holder at the base). I tried to clean it up and epoxy it didn't last. Any more permanent fix ideas.
mark

Mark, if you are referring to the window track at the base of the glass, I believe it is necessary to remove the interior door panel to access the track. From my experience, the window needs to be pushed down with some force to seat it well into the track. The scissor is not able to support the track by itself for this procedure --- it's too springy. I stick bricks or 2 x 4's inside the door to support the track when seating the glass into the track.

When doing this seating, one has to insert the glass so it aligns with the roof.

I've never used adhesive to bind the glass / rubber / track. The friction fit has always worked for me and I have done a number of window insertions that have always stayed put.