Door seal/weatherstripping question

[ejp]

I replaced my door seals today. It was a pretty quick job. However, the door requires a bit harder of a slam than it used to before. Further, upon opening, the doors kind of spring open a little (as there is pressure from the new seal).

Do these typically settle in after a few days, or did I screw up?

[Lyle O]

Seals are made of EPDM sponge (synthetic rubber) and definitely take a set over time, especially if exposed to high temperatures. If your old ones were more than 10 years old, and you live anywhere south of the Mason-Dixon Line, they could have compressed up to 40% or more.

[ejp]

Thanks, Lyle. I'll let it sit for a few days before I muck about with trying to re-apply.

[docrodg]

New seals could require you adjust the latch a little bit. They shrink so much over time.

[Hendog]

Originally Posted by ejp

Further, upon opening, the doors kind of spring open a little (as there is pressure from the new seal).

Do these typically settle in after a few days, or did I screw up?

Yep, I did this last year and got the same results The "spring" doesn't go away in a few days or weeks; it lessens a little over a year.
Now I can drive it in the rain and stay dry inside

[ejp]

Originally Posted by docrodg

New seals could require you adjust the latch a little bit. They shrink so much over time.

It's been nearly a week, and the doors aren't getting any easier to close. I feel that I may need to adjust the latches.

Any tips on adjusting the door latches/strike plates? I just ordered a set of triple square sockets from Amazon, which should arrive tomorrow. However, I have not found any documentation for adjusting these. Is it just a matter of loosening those triple-square bolts and moving the plate - or will I need to get in from behind the body panel?

[RWebb]

you can work on cleaning the crud away while you wait for the sockets to arrive - hose the fasteners down with kroil for a few days too - & tap on them a few hundred times

[Jp-oh]

Quote de docrodg

New seals could require you adjust the latch a little bit. They shrink so much over time.

It's been nearly a week, and the doors aren't getting any easier to close. I feel that I may need to adjust the latches.



Any tips on adjusting the door latches/strike plates? I just ordered a set of triple square sockets from Amazon, which should arrive tomorrow. However, I have not found any documentation for adjusting these. Is it just a matter of loosening those triple-square bolts and moving the plate - or will I need to get in from behind the body panel?

Just loosen them at the striker. I just adjusted my drivers door and it was dead easy. Don't loosen them much, just enough to move them. The adjustments needed are really really small; a little goes a long way.

[ejp]

Originally Posted by RWebb

you can work on cleaning the crud away while you wait for the sockets to arrive - hose the fasteners down with kroil for a few days too - & tap on them a few hundred times

Will soak them down.

It turns out that the bits that I bought are not socket, but for a driver, which is might be OK. They will fit nicely into the impact hammer that I use for the rear brake rotors. Do you think that an impact hammer will work or damage the body?

[RWebb]

you are going to remove the wheel and reach back in behind the pillar - unless you miss a hand impact tool will be perfect for the task

be sure to clean the wrenching fixture out very carefully with a metal pick tool

also see if you need to treat rust, add undercoating etc. while in there

clean the taillight housing area also & remove the 10 lbs. of gravel you find there

[daleflesburg]

There are two screw heads that hold each striker plate. They are accessible from the door side of the B pillar. Your 8mm triple square should work with a 1/2 socket and you should be able to use your 3/4" ratchet. I had the same experience. The new seals take a long time to crush and stay somewhat crushed.