After spending way too much time, and after buying two sets of 105 coupe door rubbers, I have finally conceded defeat. I simply cannot get the doors to close, because the rubber seals along the bottom edge of both door openings appear to be sitting up too high.
How do I know the bottom edges are the problem? Well, that's because I ended up cutting away the bottom edge of my first set of door rubbers. In other words, there is now no rubber seal fitted into the door sill trim pieces. However, I can now at least close both doors, and the top, front and rear edges of the doors are sealed from the weather.
My first set of door rubbers came from one of the usual UK suppliers, but I can't remember which one. I recently purchased a second set of door rubbers from Alfaholics, in the hope that these better reputation rubbers would solve the problem. However, the Alfaholics rubbers have the same (but not as bad) bottom edge fitment problem.
I no longer have the time or inclination to fiddle around with the door rubbers any further. Can anyone please suggest where in Melbourne I can engage professional help on this? I'm not looking for a free-bee... I'm more than happy to pay a specialist to complete this P.I.T.A. job.
Cheers,
Nick
Nick, many moons ago i wrote a thread of letters on this forum titled."Ill fitting rubbers, Oh the pain" The problems of door seals was covered but no definite solution was found at the time as all seals purchased, no matter where from all seemed to suffer the same problem. However, of late, ClassicAlfa UK have been advising on their online catalogue that they have in stock door seals that are guaranteed to fit. They have pre fitted sets as a test (they mention this in their item description). I have just ordered some for myself so i feel confident enough to try them. I hope the added expense will be worth the effort as like yourself I have a useless pair of seals,but I purchased those new from a USA company who most likely got them from the same supplier as everybody else, "ooohh! the pain"........Ian A. p.s. Classics seals are made in Italy!
Hi Ian, Yes, I read your post, and every other post I could find on door seals, both here and on AlfaBB. As for the Classic Alfa seals, I believe the same goes for the Alfaholics seals, at least according to their web site. However, whilst the Alfaholics seals were better (ie softer and easier to work), they were still too high along the bottom edge... the top, front and rear edges fit just fine... probably just to piss me off, I think :-) Cheers, Nick
Understand the problem well. I ended up finding NOS rubbers for the whole car (and paid the premium).
Way to go POC, hope they fitted well! Nick, a thought just crossed my sozzled mind. 105 GTs are notorious for wearing out the door hinge bushes allowing the doors to drop alarmingly.The doors are bloody heavy and the hinges are only aluminium with feeble at best bronze bushes and no provision for lubrication. Adjustment of door upwards may partly solve the problem.I renewed the hinge pins with available kits and drilled them with holes to squirt oil in.It did help somewhat! Just another 2 cents worth....Cheers.... Ian
Hi Ian,
Thanks, but my door hinges have all been refurbished with new bronze bushes, pins and limit straps. Subsequently, the door gaps are all pretty good. The doors even close quite nicely, except when there's a rubber seal installed in the door sill trims... damn it.
This is just one more reason why I've given up fiddling with the seals myself... time to call in the professionals. Any recommendations for someone here in Melbourne to do the job would be very much appreciated.
Cheers,
Nick
A gentleman on the forum (who has many 105's) swears by Clark Rubber. I have seen first hand how well his doors close and the price was very reasonable.
Quote from: GTVeloce on July 14, 2016, 10:55:13 AM
A gentleman on the forum (who has many 105's) swears by Clark Rubber. I have seen first hand how well his doors close and the price was very reasonable.
I used a combination of Clark Rubber pinch weld and one of their self adhesive seals for my 105 boot seal, and that worked a treat. However, I don't recall seeing anything at Clark Rubber which would work as a 105 door seal. Besides which, I've given up the DIY approach to solving the door seal problem. It's like banging your head on a wall... it feels really good when you stop.
I had the same problem with my 105 coupe,new seals etc still no good.The problem is that there isn't enough room between the lower part of the door and the ledge on the chrome kick plate,none of the seals will work.
I removed the plate and trimmed the downward edge that hangs over the sill,this allows the plate to be moved in.I moved mine in about 15mm ,if you try the door you will find it will close properly.Its a pity to have to resort to this but it's nice to just close the door with a normal pull.
The other thing I did was replace the rubbers with ones of a Hyundai Elantra ,these are a soft rubber with small breather holes to let the air out as they compress,they are a bigger tube,but easily take in the offset of the kick plate being moved in.these rubbers will push into the original channel,used some sikaflex along the bottom as well.
You can join sections of seal by pushing some foam up inside the tubes and sticking with super glue. I hope this may be some help.
Hi Ian,
I have purchased front door seals for my 105 Berlina through Classic Alfa in the UK they are brilliant, you can order on a Saturday or Sunday and the items turn up by the end of the week.
Stephen
QuoteI've given up the DIY approach to solving the door seal problem. It's like banging your head on a wall... it feels really good when you stop.
Haha, yea i know how you feel! That said i did managed to get a some pinch weld that worked very well as the door seal for the rally car, not very original though
One tip for fitting door seals that i found made a massive difference for both the pinch weld and original seals is the Angle of the welded door seem. The original rubbers squash up between the door and this seem when the doors are closed. I've been able to make big improvements by "adjusting" this seem. Best to do it before the car is painted but even if it is some careful pounding with a block of wood for protection will help, particularly in the bottom corners.
Hi Nick, Colin, POC and other contributors to this thread. My parcel arrived today from ClassicAlfa with new door seals. Instantly, the differance between my new seals and the ones purchased from Alfa Spares people in the USA is quite obvious. The new editions are not as heavy and are much more softer and flexible. Hav'nt tried to fit yet but can see that they will be an improvement. BTW.All the suggestions listed here are useful and perhaps could be added to the original "Ill fitting rubbers" thread from long ago. Keeps all the information in one place! If you think thats a good idea, someone could do that! I dont know how, any volunteers? .....Cheers.... Ian
I know I'll be in this position in a few months so have been watching this thread with interest. Looking forward to the result with the ClassicAlfa seals.
I do appreciate all the advice, but what I'd really, really like to know is where in Melbourne I might be able to take my car to have the door rubbers professionally fixed... any suggestions??
Cheers,
Nick
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alfa-Romeo-Bertone-GT-GTJ-GTV-105-115-DOOR-SEAL-SET-NEW-/311661798730?hash=item48907da54a:g:koAAAOSwxCxT-3xl
Does this help
Hi Carlo,
Thanks, but I already have a second set of door rubbers from Alfaholics. Apparently, these are the best available on the market today, as they're claimed to be thinner and softer than previous reproductions.
However, whilst the Alfaholics door rubbers do seem to be better than the first set I purchased some time ago, I still can't close the doors because the rubbers foul the bottom edge of the doors. For the time being, I've had to reinstall my first set of rubbers, from which I cut away the bottom edge section. In other words, I have no rubber seals on the lower door sills, but at least the doors do close.
I've tried every trick and tip I can find on both this and the Alfabb forum... but to no avail. That's why I've raised the white flag and I'm looking for professional (ie paid) assistance here in Melbourne. Anyone??
Regards,
Nick
have you tried vaseline on the seals or does it foul alot
Hi Carlo,
Unfortunately, there is just too much rubber in the way for a lubricant to make any difference. I've tried everything I can think or that I've read about. It's just one of those P.I.T.A problems that a pro could probably fix, but which has me tearing my hair out.
Regards,
Nick
you hqavent stretched the seal too taut so that it has excess
if not
well then its a cut and then you do an internal sleeve with the piece you cut out
and silastic or bike tyre repair glue like a puncture
note internally on the sleeve and then a smig to cover the join the strength is in the sleeve
There are no Alfa mechanics where I live so once a year I drive down to Melbourne to see my dear old mum and while I am there I get work done on my car. For mechanical repairs I go to Hugh Harrison at Monza Motors in Bayswater. I have had Paul Rankin at Rankin Panels just down the road do a bit of body work. Both are very good. I know what it's like with door rubbers, believe me and I'm looking forward to reports on the new classic alfa versions.
Hi Carlo,
I know your post is a little old now and you may have discovered a solution.
If not, can I suggest you try Historic & Vintage Restorations in Blackburn?
Fitting door seal would not be their bread and butter. Restoration is what they do but assuming you don't mind paying for the privilege, they could probably sort you out.
Another option is Gary Pierce, who is very well known in the AR community for his outstanding cars. Look him up on the forum and ask if he can help. Great guy and very knowledgeable.
Cheers,
Marco