R&R 107 hardtop window seals

[rjk]

I have an '89 560 SL. The pass. side door whistles and I traced it to the top window seal. Can anyone give me any pointers on the R&R procedure for the hardtop window seal? I already got the part (from this forum) but don't want to tear into the thing and learn as I go. I'd prefer to go in with my eyes open.
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Thanks...

[Richard1]

.....I just went through this...what a pain the ass job...you poor bastard. Try repositioning the old rubber before ripping it out and changing it for a new one...getting it right is not easy.

[prprjp]

I agree - I ripped out the old piece and installed a new one. I couldn't manage to get the new piece imbedded properly and now the window does not lie flush with the weather strip.

If you manage the job, let us know how you did it as I will have to tackle it again at some point!

Good luck, Ryan

[ericdee]

Yes it's a tuff one. Also you may go to all that trouble to replace it and still have it whistle.

[maheath]

Is it really that difficult? I've done the soft top seals and they were pretty easy.

[Richard1]

I'm probably more mechanically handicapped than most on this board but I had a tough time getting it right and even now, the window gets hung up on the seal when I'm closing the door. My mechanic concurred that this is a ***** to get right.

[4NDELIT]

Originally posted by ericdee
Yes it's a tuff one. Also you may go to all that trouble to replace it and still have it whistle.

I was told that the soft top and the hard top are different shapes, so that even if you have perfect seals, one will make wind noise unless you get your windows adjusted every time you take the hardtop on/off. Some guy at the dealership told me that.

[David Langsam]

I just noticed that! It seems the side moulding for the window on the hardtop more closely matches the curve of the window. The side molding on the soft top is such that there is a small gap in the center. I can feel a little air coming through it at high speeds and I'm sure it is increasing the road noise.

Is this normal? Anything I can do to fix it?

David

[maheath]

The soft top seals can be adjusted horizontally. There are screws in the frames that the seals are installed in.

For the vertical seal along the back edge of the window, I think you need to remove, or at least dislodge the seal to get at these screws. For the horizontal seals along the top edge of the window, the screws are accessible with the seals in place.

[rjk]

OK, its a ***** of a job. But does anyone have any details to offer? It is the hardtop seal I am replacing. Is the seal glued in? Interference fit? What? Do I just rip the old one out and curse the new one in? Is there a FAQ on it (I searched but did not find any posts w/details). Thanks in advance...

[Robert Mowbray]

I did this job about a year ago. The hardest part was in the corners. Be patient!! I used a little bit of silicone glue in the channel and a putty knife to help coerce the seal into place. I think I started along the top, went to within a couple inches of the corner; then went to the bottom of the side, again working my way to the corner. It did take a bit of cursing and some force to get the corner in, but once it went in, I've had no problems. I must be lucky, because I do not experience any of the wind noice the others talk about. I do know that if you don't seat the top onto the car properly you get a gap at the rear of the window. Best of luck. BOB

[maheath]

Is there a reason that you didn't start at the corner and go out from there?

Also, 3M makes a weatherstrip adhesive that works great on the seals. Just put a little in the channel and press the seal in.

[Robert Mowbray]

No reason other than it seemed easy at the time.