New door seals now door won't shut

[KDRGibby]

Without door seals my door shuts just fine with that nice thunk we all know and love.

With the new door seals the door will bounce off the latch plate when given a shove from outside or the door doesn't sit flush against the body when pulling from the inside. To get the door to latch and shut and stay flush I have to give it a really hard push or pull.

What gives?

I've flipped the door seal backward and forward and inside out and it does the same thing every time. Looks like things are getting hung up first at the lower forward corner of the door.

[LIRS6]

Did u try with window down?

Often I have to almost slam door due captured air in cockpit

[KDRGibby]

Windows are down and the sunroof is open... In fact, the car still has no windows at all...but that is another threat entirely.

[Lyle O]

Make sure the seals are installed with the vent holes in the correct orientation, such that they (seals) can compress without acting like a balloon. The holes should line up facing out from the gap. If they are inside, facing the body and you cannot see them, they will seal against the body and you will have great difficulty closing the door. (They could also be sealing against the door, and need to be repositioned from there). If the hole locations are still improper after you turn the seals around or reposition them (which sounds like you tried this already), you can always drill a few tiny vent holes.

[93nav]

Are the door pockets sagging? They could be hitting the door seals making the door hard to close. Mine does this.

[911Cabrio]

First check the upper window frame alignment. they may be leaned in at the top too much. If possible try to bring the front of the door out a little. You may have to realign the fender afterwards.

I notice the doors tend to do either of these once new seals are installed.

Hope this helps,

Bob

[McLaren-TAG]

If you installed them right and you know it, close the doors, walk away and come back in a day or two. They'll compress.

[rwest]

Did you get all of the old glue out of the groove?

[fiminod]

you usually have to adjust the striker to allow for the new seals as they haven't collapsed like the old ones you replaced. Takes some fettling...

[widgeon13]

Wipe with a little WD 40.

[uwanna]

Originally Posted by McLaren-TAG

If you installed them right and you know it, close the doors, walk away and come back in a da a day or two. They'll compress.

^^^ What he says! DON'T go tweaking and adjusting door fitment, you'll be sorry. The "relaxation" of the seals will probably take more than a day or two though. Had the same symptons as you have, but now after a few months everything is back to normal.

[billh1963]

Originally Posted by uwanna

^^^ What he says! DON'T go tweaking and adjusting door fitment, you'll be sorry. The "relaxation" of the seals will probably take more than a day or two though. Had the same symptons as you have, but now after a few months everything is back to normal.

Same here. I've installed new seals on Porsche's, my British cars, etc. New seals take time to "fit" the door.

In the case of my new targa top seals it was hell getting the top to fit. Once I got it to close, I left the top on for several months without removing it. When I finally did, the seal fit perfectly and now the targa top fits like it did originally.

It's the same story I've had with car doors.