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Secondary door seals on S3 coupe

PostPosted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 11:56 am
by robertverhey
Hi yet another question....

I have purchased some secondary door seals from rdent and I received two metal strips and a length of flat rubber with raised edge (for each side)

This is different to what I removed from the car when stripping it, ie it had a square profile sponge rubber strip on the flat underside of the door aperture, sweeping up to the angled section.

Does anyone perchance have a photo of how the rdent replacement strips (which I think are closer to the original design) are mounted?

Robert

Re: Secondary door seals on S3 coupe

PostPosted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 1:58 pm
by elanner
When I was last at Sue Miller's place picking up the usual laundry list of stuff I purchased a pair of secondary door seals. God knows when/if I'll ever fit them, they're way down low on my to-do list, but I was buying the boot & door seals, so I figured I might as well get them all.

Having no idea what to do with them I took a bunch of photos of the ones fitted to Mick Miller's immaculate Sprint that Sue has next to her shop.

Nick

Elan_SecondaryWeatherStrip1.jpg and

Elan_SecondaryWeatherStrip2.jpg and

Elan_SecondaryWeatherStrip3.jpg and

Elan_SecondaryWeatherStrip4.jpg and

Elan_SecondaryWeatherStrip5.jpg and

Re: Secondary door seals on S3 coupe

PostPosted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 5:40 pm
by Plus 2
I was most un impressed with the secondary door seal designs and attachment and noted not many even were fitted to many Lotus Elans I previously owned or had seen.

Then after replacing the boot seal on my RR Shadow I discovered it was attached direct to the bodywork with a two pack contact adhesive........and I stress a 'two pack' that has a special additive accelerator.

So I decided to fit the secondary door seal on my +2 the same way and used a section of the rubber that was removed from the old RR boot seal. They have now been in place for over 20 years and for sure they have stuck and no unsightly rivets or metal plates. I do stress however basic impact/contact adhesive will not work. The fact that RR fit the boot seal OE this way with no mechanical lip just direct to the body is reasonable testament to the design function of the two pack adhesive.

I have attached a photo that shows somewhat them in place but not really ever taken any close up for any reason before but can do that if anyone interested.............no digital cameras back then :roll:

In fact I attached one to the door itself at the front inner top and another strip direct to the top inner wing.

Thankfully I have absolutely NO leaks.........essential to protect my nice lambswool floor mates :mrgreen:

Regards

Re: Secondary door seals on S3 coupe

PostPosted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 8:16 pm
by AHM
robertverhey wrote:This is different to what I removed from the car when stripping it, ie it had a square profile sponge rubber strip on the flat underside of the door aperture, sweeping up to the angled section.Does anyone perchance have a photo of how the rdent replacement strips (which I think are closer to the original design) are mounted?


The square/rectangular sponge section is original, the "L" shape is a later design.

Re: Secondary door seals on S3 coupe

PostPosted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 11:40 pm
by robertverhey
AHM wrote:The square/rectangular sponge section is original, the "L" shape is a later design.


Oh in that case I think I'll source some original profile rubber section and stick it on. Can't say I'm that impressed with the look of the aftermarket steel strip/rubber rivetted arrangement. Less holes in the body the better I reckon.

Its only job after all is to divert water away from the door apertures to avoid leaks. ACBC's way of getting around a basic design flaw.

Turns out that in a rare moment of foresight I did actually take a photo of the area, albeit after the rubber piece had been removed

Thanks all for assistance, all additions to the store of knowledge!