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Hello once again. I have a question regarding the orientation of the rear vent window seal. It can be installed two different ways and I tried both and have trouble closing the vent window. There is an open slit on one side of the seal and the other side is closed. Which of these two options should be facing the window? Thanks for any help I can get.
a) There are some ill fitting seals out there.
b) Have you rechromed the frame & vertical piece that is screwed to the frame? If so some trimming of the vertical labyrinth seal/hinge is frequently required.
Yes Glyn, I had the frame rechromed, but not the vertical bar that holds the hinge point. I would think that the seal should be installed with the closed part of the seal facing outward, but that may not be the case. I agree with your comment about ill fitting seals. I have already had bad experiences with many seals. The materials used on reproduced rubber parts don't seem to be as pliable as the original materials.
Your seal is different from the ones I am trying to use. On the ones I have, they don't go up the back of the chrome. I think that perhaps the side of the seals I have that has a slit is supposed to be folded up to the frame, but it they are not molded that way. I will try to fold the rubber up against the frame to see if that solves my problem. I really appreciate your photos and your comments.
Yes Glyn, I had the frame rechromed, but not the vertical bar that holds the hinge point. I would think that the seal should be installed with the closed part of the seal facing outward, but that may not be the case. I agree with your comment about ill fitting seals. I have already had bad experiences with many seals. The materials used on reproduced rubber parts don't seem to be as pliable as the original materials.
If you have had the frame chromed it depends on how thick the plating is. First lets get the seal right. Then you need to blue the screwed on vertical piece & check it's clearance. Then you might have to trim the vertical piece to recreate the correct clearance (Don't trim the frame). Don't worry it is brass & you cant see the ground edge. That clearance is very tight to keep water out without a rubber seal. Slightly thick chrome is enough to prevent proper closing of the vent & it tries to spring open slightly. Been there ~ done that.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Oct 28, 2020 at 10:12 AM.
We finally got it right on my car that you can see here. Then when you closed the rear doors the vents would try & spring open slightly due to hard modern rubbers. Fixed that by fitting new Thackery washers to the closing mechanisms to create adequate tension. (most pics used here from archive. Not my car)
if no new thackery washers are found, you can use the tapered stainless steel springs that come in a leak-sealing kit for Delta faucet repairs. They provide equal if not better tension to the locking mechanism for the rear door vents.
I recently repaired loose mechanisms with flattened or "unsprung" thackery washers in a 420 using those cone-shaped springs and the result was very satisfying.
The Mk2, S Type, 420 and some others are all supposed to use the same profile rubbers on the rear NDV's. I've checked all the usual suspect vendors and can't see the profile that any of them are now selling for this application. Their pictures are hopeless.
I have sympathy with you. After getting the rears correct I have used rubbers from 4 different manufacturers on my Front NDV's/Quarterlights and can't prevent leaks. They don't leak in normal rain but you can't put a hose anywhere near them when washing the car or they do. Some cracked before I even had a chance to fit them. I've improved the present & best set by taking a hairdryer to them but I'm now hoping they settle over time to provide a better seal. I don't want to open the front doors up again.
Where did you get the rubber seals for the rear NDVs? I think that is a big part of my problem and potentially too much plating on the hinge area for the vent window frame.
During my rebuild in 2014 I bought all new rubbers but I was not happy with the rear quarter light seals. My windows did not close properly and I had leaks during the odd time I took the car out in the rain. I tried trimming the seals to fit better and had the glass in and out several time to no avail.
Last year I decided to buy new seals to see if I could rectify the problem. When the new seals arrived I found the rebate was a lot smaller than on the seals on the car. You can see in the photo the seal to the left is the one I had on the car with the long tail and the one on the right is the new seal which has the smaller tail. Fitted the new seal and the window closes perfectly now. Not the best photo but does show that not all seals are the same.
I bought them from Body Rubber Seal Kits ? M&C Wilkinson
I bought my first set with the complete kit but when I ordered the individual rear quarter light seals I got the second small er set. When I questioned it they stated that the kit came from a different manufacturer then the single piece seal.
Before you order ask for a photo of the profile and make sure you ask for the smaller profile seal.
Hi @Cass3958, I'm in the process of replacing the exact new rubber. Can you tell me please how you went about it? In particular what glue did you use and do you think there are any traps for a novice such as me? Many thanks in advance.
Its been nearly 8 years since I did mine but I remember that the seal is a push fit so no glue required. The seal has a T section which you have to force into the groove of the window frame. Use some soapy water to lubricate the rubber seal and then use either a plastic spatula or a carefully wielded flat bladed screw driver to push the seal into the groove. You can see from the photos that the first seal I had with the kit was a lot larger than the second and I had a lot of trouble with the quarter light not closing or springing open when driving. I tried trimming the seal and adjusting the catch but the seal was just too thick. The second seal I bought as an individual part was a lot smaller in profile and thinner so the window closed a treat and is fully sealed.
Rear Vent Window Seal Orientatioin
