Installing new rear hatch seal

rporzio · 12-20-2009, 05:41 AM

When you install a new rear window hatch seal do you apply any type of sealant to the underside of it?

Has anyone purchased one lately and can comment on price and availability?

My 84 is leaking badly every rainfall and has ruined the rear carpet to the point where some mold developed...! He always sits outside in the driveway covered...

white944cup · white944cup's Garage

I have removed and replaced a couple and I never saw evidence of any kind of sealant or adhesive with the previous installations. They usually begin leaking when the rubber gets crushed to the point that it won't seal against the mating surfaces....usually around the hatch pins. For a temporary fix, remove your existing gasket, rotate it so that the ends are 180 degrees from where they are now, and re-install it.

brian944turbo · 12-20-2009, 02:35 PM

Installed a new one this week. No sealant required, it comes with an adhesive inside the chanel when orderd new. I think it cost around $80. You may be getting water from a loose sunroof drain or hatch pin drain. Also the separating hatch problem.

mikepellegrini · mikepellegrini's Garage

+1 I installed on on my 83 NA that I bought here - it came with the adhesive inside the channel, like Brian said. - thought it was more like $100 but I could be wrong (lower hatch seal).

Super easy, just rip the old one off (30 seconds) install the new one (2 minutes) and you're good to go. Solved my leak problem.

phil823 · 12-20-2009, 11:09 PM

i have a leak in the back of my hatch also right around the passanger side spoiler drain holes.... i wonder if a new seal will also fix this, although my seals are probably 4 years old...

uvachief · uvachief's Garage

Anyone got any pictures of how to remove the old seal and install the new one?

rporzio · 08-19-2010, 02:58 AM

I didn't take any pics but it was easy to do. Remove the old by lifting up all around and then dd a good cleaning. Started at the top/middle and worked my way to the bottom where the hatch lock is by pressing the new seal in place. I took my time and carefully made sure it was completely down, I even tapped lightly with a rubber mallet in the corner areas. Finally I cut off the excess length and it was finished.

Another part of my leak came from clogged water drains in the pin mechanism (on the hatch itself) that locks into the body. I also had to readjust those after I removed and thoroughly cleaned the pieces.

BTW, I bought my new seal from Pelican parts and it fit perfectly.

chadbo · 08-19-2010, 04:25 AM

I got mine on without cutting. I started at the top of the hatch opening and using the seam on the seal as a center point put the seal on pushing it together > < as you work along the channel. Takes a little more time but I think the seal works a little better this way and no cut line.

one944 · 10-07-2010, 10:33 AM

I want to replace my hatch seal, but I see a couple obstacles. The new seal I have is a loop (no ends)(OEM part number). To put the hatch seal on without cutting it, do you remove the struts? Then there's the wire for the rear wiper. Is there a connector where the wire goes into the headliner? The wire moves in and out a bit there, but I don't want to pull too hard without knowing if there's a connector. The hatch seal on the car is cut (I think it's original but not sure of it). I'm wondering if the seal is meant to be cut for installation.

rporzio · 10-07-2010, 10:48 AM

The seal I took off my 84 was original, it was not one piece and the part I bought from Pelican was cut as well. I've owned the car since it was new so I'm certain it wasn't replaced somewhere along the way. Any questions or if you need some pics feel free to email me rporzio@verizon.net

chadbo · 10-07-2010, 01:27 PM

My original seal on my 83 was cut also. The one I got from Pelican came in one piece. Some posts I'd read said to not cut it. Worked for me. I propped up the hatch up, pulled the struts, Put the seal in place, put the struts on. I have wiper deleate, So I can't address that part of it.

Rasta Monsta · Rasta Monsta's Garage

Don't cut it, there are plugs for third brake light and wiper.

one944 · 10-08-2010, 06:25 AM

Is there a plug/connector for rear wiper on an early car? There is no third brake light.

If the OE seal was cut, wouldn't it be fine to install a new one that way?

pigeon · pigeon's Garage

Quote:

Don't cut it, there are plugs for third brake light and wiper.

Where are they? I looked but didn't see any plugs so I cut the wires and reconnected them when I replaced my seal with a one piece unit.