Soft top installation -- horizontal side seals

[joselu43]

Well, it is (almost) done. The new soft top is up, some of you expressed an interst on the topic so I plan to tell you about my experience in the next couple of days. Right now I need help from someone who has done this.
All I have left is the installation of the horizontal side seals, the ones that come with the top. My old top did not have them so I am not sure how they go. I made acouple of phone calls and I was told
a) they are glued to the horizontal rail and
b) they are glued to soft top right above the horizontal rail
Expert b) seemed more knowledgeable so, for that and other reasons, I tend to believe him. But he could not tell me if the wide part of the seal installs towards the front or the back. He said he thought it was towards the front, but he was not sure. Can you guys help?

Thanks.

Jl

[peter serbanica]

hello, I am assuming you are installing a top on a 107 body (450SL). The wide end goes in the front. There is a right and left. I glue them on before I install the top. I trace rubber with pencil on top then coat top and rubber with glue. Let dry and glue on. Hope this helps. Peter

[joselu43]

Thank you Peter, I was following the instructions from World Upholstery and they do that last. I tried it both ways (no glue) and could not make up my mind. Do you use contact cement or silicone?

Jl

[peter serbanica]

I use contact cement