One last go at roof rail seals
Folks, before I make a complete fool of myself, I need your input on this issue I'm having with these new seals from Metro.
Have any of you used Metro brand (in the purple packaging) roof rail seals on a '73 to '76 Duster or Dart Sport? If so, I really need your honest opinion about how well they fit and seal off your windows. About three years ago, we tried to install new seals on Aaron's '74 Dart Sport. They were obviously molded differently than the OEM seals, and we never could get them to fit correctly and seal off properly. We ended up setting them aside (lost now in the clutter) and re-used the old original seals.
I recently bought another set of new roof rail seals from Metro, and it's like deja vu all over again. Aaron and I fought these for about an hour and gave up, frustrated. Because of the way they are molded, the 90* corner at the top of the door window/quarter window interface is too bulky. It's impossible to get all the mass of rubber pressed tightly into the corner. It bulges out so much in the corner that the glass is lifted away from the seal for much of its length along the roof rail, allowing wind and water to get in.
Along the vertical piece that presses into the stainless quarter window frame, the original seal was molded in a single flat surface (maybe an extrusion). However, the new seal has a separate molded "flap" or "groove". I don't believe the intent is for the glass to slide under the flap, because it would eventually get frayed and torn from wear as the door is opened and close with the window rolled up.
The long and the short of it is I want to visit with Metro's new product manager and explain the problem to him. I don't believe it is a window adjustment issue, I just don't think anyone has bothered to let them know there is a problem. Maybe I'm just all wet. That's why I need to hear from any of you who can say, without reservation, that their seals worked correctly in your application.
On the other hand, if you used roof rail seals that are manufactured by a company other than Metro, and you are completely satisfied with the way they fit, I would like to hear that as well.
Thank you,
Jerry
Folks, before I make a complete fool of myself, I need your input on this issue I'm having with these new seals from Metro.
Have any of you used Metro brand (in the purple packaging) roof rail seals on a '73 to '76 Duster or Dart Sport? If so, I really need your honest opinion about how well they fit and seal off your windows. About three years ago, we tried to install new seals on Aaron's '74 Dart Sport. They were obviously molded differently than the OEM seals, and we never could get them to fit correctly and seal off properly. We ended up setting them aside (lost now in the clutter) and re-used the old original seals.
I recently bought another set of new roof rail seals from Metro, and it's like deja vu all over again. Aaron and I fought these for about an hour and gave up, frustrated. Because of the way they are molded, the 90* corner at the top of the door window/quarter window interface is too bulky. It's impossible to get all the mass of rubber pressed tightly into the corner. It bulges out so much in the corner that the glass is lifted away from the seal for much of its length along the roof rail, allowing wind and water to get in.
Along the vertical piece that presses into the stainless quarter window frame, the original seal was molded in a single flat surface (maybe an extrusion). However, the new seal has a separate molded "flap" or "groove". I don't believe the intent is for the glass to slide under the flap, because it would eventually get frayed and torn from wear as the door is opened and close with the window rolled up.
The long and the short of it is I want to visit with Metro's new product manager and explain the problem to him. I don't believe it is a window adjustment issue, I just don't think anyone has bothered to let them know there is a problem. Maybe I'm just all wet. That's why I need to hear from any of you who can say, without reservation, that their seals worked correctly in your application.
On the other hand, if you used roof rail seals that are manufactured by a company other than Metro, and you are completely satisfied with the way they fit, I would like to hear that as well.
Thank you,
Jerry
