Once again, I'm appalled at parts prices. Like most of us my door handle gaskets are crumbling at the rolled, exposed edge. No problem, a couple beers and a few tools and I'll be done. $99??!? For two gaskets? Apparently someone has an unhealthy habit they want me to support.

After about thirty-two seconds of consideration I came to the conclusion that the 'real' sealing portion of the gasket occurs underneath the handle and that the crumbling, rolled edge is purely cosmetic. So I grabbed a razor blade and trimmed the remaining rolled edge away. Simple. And cheap. And just to help out, I'm forwarding the razor blade to the guys that own the parts store. Just to help them reduce the cost of their habit.

 

Weird... I was at the Jaguar dealership yesterday and the parts guy searched for five minutes but couldn't find the gasket separately from the handle. He said that it must only be sold as the entire assembly.

 

Sam, I think you may be right, not a dealer item, but Jagbits sells them: http://www.jagbits.com/mm5/merchant....LM12035-GASKET

 

. . . as does Coventry West. You still have to cut the gasket to install or remove the entire door lock assembly. The dealer does not sell the gasket separately from the $700 lock assembly.

I like Beva's solution.

 

I suppose if I really wanted to retain that bead I could use some black cocktail straws, a hair dryer and some glue...

 

That sounds complicated. I'm going to buy a tube of black RTV today. This evening I'm going to pop off the door card, loosen the handle mechanism, and completely remove the gasket. Then I'll squeeze a tiny bit of RTV on the under the mechanism, tighten it down, and let the RTV squeeze out from behind it. Then I'll smooth the RTV with my finger, leaving a thin bead between the door and the handle. I'll post a picture when I'm done. I don't think something this simple warrants a video.

 

The written description is easy, getting it to LOOK good is hard.

 

I think the easiest way to get a good result is to use masking tape around the inside and outside edges, and remove it before the RTV sets up. You can get thin tape to tackle the curves at an autobody supply shop, or just cut some thin strips with a pair of scissors.

 

my gasket cracked, peeled up, and before I could do anything about it, a piece of it came off...now I'm considering my options. Hmmm...

Anyone do something that turned out looking good, or replaced their gasket by going the route of the replacement? If its easy, I'm going to do $35 Welsh Enterprise part route.

 

I've done this many times, making gaskets for cars that you cannot get. You can buy sheet rubber of the internet or local suppliers I have a large sheet in my shop just for this. it's about 3/32 of an inch thick,cuts with scissors or a X-Acto knife. With a little patience you can make new gaskets and they are cheap. They won't have the bead but how many people will notice. I think It'll look more presentable than trying to use RV Sealant and trying to make a presentable bead. Some people will be able to, but many would have a rough time making it look good, I know I would

 

I just looked as you mention we sell them. They are sold as a pair for $79.00. Not worth the time to make do and still will not look as good as new ones in my opinion. I needed one on my car a while back and you do have to cut the retainer on the back (rather obvious as to where) as they originally come built onto the handle mechanism. This way you can just undo the handle from the door and keep the linkages hooked up and snake the seal into place.

 

Doesn't sound too bad, I'll put this on my list for the fall-winter. I've had my door apart dozens of times, but not to the extent of the door handle removal.

 

Can also take a sharp knife and trim the remaining bead away. Gasket remains intact, still seals handle to door. Cost = 1 or 2 beers, depending on current ambient temperature.

 

I just may do that...if that 'bead' break starts to annoy me. Good to know the gasket is actually still in tact for protection.

 

Welsh Enterprises sells the individual gaskets for $39. Left or right side.
Coventry West is out of them due to a manufacturing defect. They plan to
get more at a future date though. It is a rather complex gasket and worth
it if you repaint and want the car to look new,

 

Whenever confronted with a part that's obviously worth 20 cents and sells for $40 I'll proudly admit I'm not that ****. Then I'll whip out a pair of scissors, a piece of sheet rubber and go to work. It ain't rocket science or life supporting.

But that's just me...

 

12035 GASKETS don't fit anyway. Here are 2 pics for proof. Don't waste your money.
Does anyone have another solution to better gaskets? Different part number, different source? Mine are too damaged to just trim with a blade.

 

TIP

The bolt at the upper top is a pig to replace ....take a longer bolt and put a nut on it ...fit and then wind the nut up the thread to tighten. EPLS
I filled the gaps on mine with black silicone.....

 

I got the gaskets from Welsh and installed them. It was not a hard job. The harder part is pulling the door card. They have been on for a couple years and still look new. I also was able to find the radio antenna gasket from them, very rare find. When this gasket fails, you get water in the trunk.