Review: GW Upper Door Lip Seal

[rockfish]

I bought this little seal kit from GW a couple of weeks ago ($14.95) - installed it this weekend:

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23590

It works! Big difference on the wind noise. I always thought that the noise was due to the defroster and heat vents, as well as the windshield and the doors. What I found is that the sound level dropped significantly for me - to the point that when driving down the freeway, I closed all the vents and could hear just a bit of whistle through the baffles...where as before there was so much wind noise that it just got louder when I closed all the vents.

The other measuring stick for me was that I didn't have to turn up the volume on the stereo as loud as before (when driving down the freeway).

Now I want to find a source for the lower lip door seal that some of the 90/91 models have.

Installation is pretty easy - except that it is very tough to seat the seal between the main door seal and the bent over angle of the door. I found that if I inserted a credit card, pressed down against the main seal and then pushed the new seal in with the other hand/thumb, I was successful in getting the new seal in place. See here:

Let me know if you have any questions.
_________________
89 Westy
GW 2.5 5-speed trans

"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."
- John Wooden

[Thebiggestfro]

I installed this last weekend as well, but haven't actually driven my van yet. This makes me excited to drive it though!
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1986 Westy
2011 Jetta Sportwagon TDI

[Mark]

Cool, nice review and good install tip. Did you use any sealant for yours? I ended up trimming mine a few inches as I couldn't access the lowest part of the seal between the frame & door.

[rockfish]

No sealant. Once in place, the pressure from the main door seal holds in place very nicely. Yes, the seal is longer than you need - I used the GW photos as a guide to where I should stop and trim the seal.
_________________
89 Westy
GW 2.5 5-speed trans

"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."
- John Wooden

[madspaniard]

the GoWesty link says vans up to 97 did not have this, Rockfish, I thought you had an 89 Westy, was your van missing it or you just replaced the old one?
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali

[rockfish]

Missing.

GW doesn't have a replacement.

Any ideas?
_________________
89 Westy
GW 2.5 5-speed trans

"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."
- John Wooden

[madspaniard]

Sorry, I meant the seal, not the sealant, was your Westy missing the seal?
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1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali

[GBA 88West LA]

mine wont stay in place i think i need to adjust my doors, i find mine hanging loose inside quite often
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88 Westy GL Vanaru 07 2.5 EJ25/AA Trans/oiling plates, 1.14 3rd-.77-4th..solar powered cabin

[rockfish]

Mad: Yes - missing the lower front door (exterior) seals. I called GW today - the part is definitely NLA. And so far, they have not found a replacement. And I did not have the upper seals either!

BTW - the GW price, believe it or not, is far lower than what other vendors are asking just for the upper seals. Most sites have the upper seals listed for $40+!

GBA: It takes a lot of work to get the seal seated in between the door metal and the existing door seal. Between the credit card and using your thumb to push, you're hands will get a little sore. I found working on sections 1" at a time is best - not to try and do whole thing at once. I had to go back and work on a couple of sections on the first side. Learned my lesson so that the second side has stayed in place pretty well. If it isn't fixed by mid/late July, I'll be at Hedding Camp/Exeter/Portsmouth around 7/20 or so...
_________________
89 Westy
GW 2.5 5-speed trans

"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."
- John Wooden

[Darren2dream]

I've been interested in this trim because I love to reduce wind noise but to be honest, I cant figure out how it would go on.
On my 84' the door trim which goes all around the door has a flap that appears to intentionally go over the metal edge that this new trim woud fit on to. Do I need to stuff the original door trim under the metal lip and then put this new one on? Is that were it's suppose to be already and my full door trim not installed correctly? I'm pretty sure the trim I have on my doors is the original... nothing leaks currently. Maybe I dont "need" this additional trim? Of course not but, if it makes it quieter inside, I'd like to give it a shot. Wondering if anyone else was thinking this same thing before I invest $14

here's what my existing door trim looks like:

On each corner, the full door trim doesn't cover the lip, wich makes me think while it covers most of the area, it wasn't meant to go over the metal lip?
Top corner for an example (I know this trim wouldn't cover this area but, it's easy to photograph):

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84' Wolfsburg Westy GL 1.9 Manual

[shizzon]

[rockfish]

The seal doesn't run around the corners - it only runs on the diagonal side that parallels the wing window. Check the 2 photos above on the white Westy example - the seal starts (top) right at where the bent over edge curves back for the horizontal corner. Then the seal runs to the end of the diagonal run and is trimmed before the edge turns down/vertical by the door hinge.

I'll take pictures today and post.
_________________
89 Westy
GW 2.5 5-speed trans

"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."
- John Wooden

[MarkWard]

[teej]

[Darren2dream]

[purplepeopleeater]

So let me get this clear, this is the same seal like on the 90/91 vanagons? cause it makes a huge difference if this is something close to replacing those, I want these on my 86 and have a hard time finding donor parts.

[GreenMachineVW]

This seal is on the 90/91 Vanagons, but is not the seal you are thinking of. This seal goes on the diagonal section, and is thin. You are refering to the seal that goes on the vertical section, and is much thicker, and NLA. I have transfered the seal mentioned here from a donor to my 1983 with no trouble attaching it, but I cannot vouch for the sound difference, as I did a few other sound reducing updates at the same time.

[GBA 88West LA]

[GBA: It takes a lot of work to get the seal seated in between the door metal and the existing door seal. Between the credit card and using your thumb to push, you're hands will get a little sore. I found working on sections 1" at a time is best - not to try and do whole thing at once. I had to go back and work on a couple of sections on the first side. Learned my lesson so that the second side has stayed in place pretty well. If it isn't fixed by mid/late July, I'll be at Hedding Camp/Exeter/Portsmouth around 7/20 or so...[/quote]

very cool i will try it as you said with a credit card did you use any sealant or adhesive?, hey man drop me a line or PM when you come out this way i live in exeter NH who knows you may need a friendly contact for spare parts, work space or just coffee maybe we can just cruise the beach with the vans ...there are few samba members that live in the area also with varying expertise...safe travels & best wishes
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88 Westy GL Vanaru 07 2.5 EJ25/AA Trans/oiling plates, 1.14 3rd-.77-4th..solar powered cabin

[Jake de Villiers]

[joetiger]

I ordered a set on Leap Day and haven't had a chance to install them. All of my door/window seals are original, so these might make a difference or it might just be pissin' in the wind until I replace everything. For $15 I figured why not.

With this being gale-force wind season in Colorado, I should know pretty quickly.
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Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

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