Posted by Stefan Thibeault (IP: 24.200.94.36) on January 08, 2000 at 14:42:09:
This fact was sent to me by Tracy Norris a while ago and I would like
to put it in the FAQ section, but before I do it, I want you guys to take
a look at it. If there are no erors, I will post it up.
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FAQ: "How do I replace the glass-run weatherstripping in my Maverick/Comet? I’m getting serious air noise from around the glass and sometimes it leaks if it rains really hard!"
Answer:
This is a very common problem on our older Mavericks and Comets. After repeated rolling up and down of the windows the weatherstripping becomes worn, may crack, and presents a
serious leak problem for this vehicle. After six months of searching I’ve found a solution that will cost you less that $40 to fix this problem in a Maverick Four-door! Less than $20
for a two door!
Diagnosis:
First, roll up the window completely and grab the TOP of the door window from both the inside and the outside, pressing with your palms. Now, press it back and forth towards the
inside and outside of the door. If you have a significant amount of movement, the weatherstripping should be replaced (proper name for this type of weatherstrip is Glass-Run
weatherstrip since the glass actually moves along it). It should also be replaced if you notice air or water leakage from around the top or sides of the rolling window or if the weatherstrip
is cracked ANYWHERE. As a side note, door glass that rattles when you hit a bump indicates that this weatherstripping needs to be replaced!
How to do it:
Pretty simple actually! It will take about 30 minutes per door so plan ahead if you have a four-door sedan! The glass-run weatherstrip can be purchased from JC Whitney (Stock Number
18LT4879T, Catalog #624J, about $5.79 in 8 foot lengths. Order one for each door). Make sure you have the weatherstrip on hand before you start or a good place to store your Maverick
because it WILL leak if you remove the old weatherstrip and it rains before installing the new stuff!
Start by removing the door panels and hardware. Here is how:
1) Remove the three ¼" screws from under the armrests. Remove the armrest from the door
2) Remove the glass roll-up handle with a phillips screwdriver
3) Remove the (usually black) plastic decor trim from the inside of the door handles. Pull the handle OPEN and, using a thin-bladed flat-head screwdriver, gently pry the decor trim from
the left or right sides towards the INSIDE of the door handle. Don’t worry, it’s not glued and should pop right out. Be careful not to gouge the soft plastic!
4.Now that the decor trim is removed (you ARE bagging your parts right?!?!), pull the door handle open again and remove the Phillips-head screw that secures the metal door
handle guard to the door. Remove the door-handle guard.
5.Now it’s time to remove the door panel itself! Are we having fun yet? The door panel is secured in multiple locations around the door with spring clips. These clips are
designed to pull out with a little patience. BE CAREFUL! Simply yanking on the door panel (pressboard) will most likely rip it apart in an older car and leave the springs intact,
stuck to the door! Here is the Proper way to do it: Pull gently on the panel until you’ve located a fastener behind it. Take a cloth and put it against the nice metal door and
pry from behind the clip to pop it loose. Do this for all of the fasteners until the door panel is free.
Great, NOW we can replace the glass-run weatherstripping!
Roll the window all of the way down. This frees the top glass-run weatherstripping to be removed.
Using a thin-bladed, flat-head screwdriver, insert it between the middle of the weatherstrip and the door frame (use a shop cloth between the door frame and the screwdriver to prevent
nicks in the paint!). Pop the center section of the weatherstrip free. Cut it in half at this point.
Now that the weatherstrip is cut, pull it down and out of the glass-run channel on both sides until you reach the edge of the door, then pull it UP and out, completely removing it. Do this
for both the front and back sides of the door.
Step # 5984, throw the old stuff away! Insert the new weatherstrip into the gap left by the old weatherstrip. Do NOT try and align it with the glass-run channel left by the old weatherstrip yet (trust me, it took me three hours to Roll the window up about three-quarters of the way Reach INSIDE of the door and pull the weatherstrip down until it meets the end of the glass-run channel. You may need to roll the window up close to all of the way to get your hand Now, starting from where the weatherstrip meets the end of the glass-run channel, simply press into place making sure both sides are snugly in the channel. In this step as in all of the Continue to work your hand up the inside of the door, pressing the strip in place (does not need much pressure at all!). Once you’ve gone as far as you can, roll DOWN the Once you’ve reached the back edge, roll the window halfway down, pushing the top of it forward. This gives you some room to insert the weatherstrip into the back half of the Again, without trying to force it into the glass-run channel, simply push the rest of the weatherstrip into any gap between the back edge of the glass and the door. All we want to do at Again, reaching inside of the door, towards the rear (door latch), press the weatherstrip into place until it is snug from top to bottom. Check your work! The weatherstrip should be completely inserted into the glass-run channel all of the way around, reach in there with your hand to make sure! Once your satisfied that Re-Install the door panel making sure the spring clips are aligned with the holes in the metal door. Re-Install the window roll-up handle, making sure the slippery plastic O-ring is behind it (usually white) Re-Install the door handle Enjoy your new, like-factory , leakproof, rattleprooof, air-noise proof glass-run weatherstripping!
learn this!). Just concentrate on getting a good amount of it (about 1 foot) inside of the door.
completely inside of the door.
others, no adhesive is necessary or recommended.
window and continue pressing the weatherstrip into the glass-run channel along the front edge, top, then down the back side of the door.
door channel.
this point is simply get the weatherstripping INSIDE of the door along the back edge of the glass, proper or not.
it’s in place, it’s time to Press Fit! Put the window handle on the shaft (don’t use a screw yet) and roll the window up and down, looking inside the glass-run
channel to make sure the glass fits between both edges of the weatherstrip. If it is working correctly, take this time to apply some grease to those old, neglected window cranks inside of
the door. In general, if it moves, Grease It!