Wolfsburg West side window seal issue

[Bala]

Has anyone had issues with WW side window seals? Specifically the camper (no chrome) passenger's side, rear, no vent window (I know it's the same as the middle).

I'm helping a buddy with new seals and this one is not even close to working. Honestly feels like it's too big. When it's fully around the glass there is still a bunch of slack and the rubber keeps popping off the glass in multiple spots. I've done several of these with no issues. We even did the rear window in 10 minutes and it was a breeze like usual. Fought the side window for over an hour with no luck. Only thing I can think is bad seal.
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1976 Westy

1966 Beetle

[EZ Gruv]

Every seal I've used from WW (including side windows) has been perfect. Are you sure it's the right seal for that window?
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Eric
1977 Deluxe Westfalia - 2.0L FI Type IV, Completely Original
Photographer for HotVWs, VolksWorld, AirMighty, VW Camper & Commercial, Hayburner, and more.
My Photography Page.

[a1steaksauce]

You have the sticker with the part number on it still? I’d double check that first.

I replaced the window seal in the exact same location with a WW seal and it fit fantastic. A couple of months later I deleted the wing window on the drivers rear and installed the larger glass, again with WW seal and had zero issues.

[Bala]

We double and triple checked the label and packing list. Those say it's the correct one. I'm not sure what seal it could be swapped with? Every site I've checked sells the same seal for all side (non-vent) windows. I think the hatch window is the closest, but it's quite a bit smaller (relatively).

Anyone know the diameter the seal should be? I know it's tough to measure, and I feel like if it's off even a tiny bit it will effect the fit.
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1976 Westy

1966 Beetle

[KentABQ]

Sorry to hear about the window seal difficulty, Bala.
A couple weeks ago, Robbie showed me how to replace one of my rear, side windows using a WW seal. He mentioned it was a little bit loose, (we had to hold it in place around the window while installing it to keep it from falling off), but we were still able to get it in okay. Now that it's in, the fit is great.
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-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"

"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea

Bus ownership via emoticons:
---williamM

[airschooled]

The rear and middle windows don’t take the same seal.

Middle windows are 221 845 321A and rear windows are 224 845 341. This is for non-deluxe rubber with no vent windows.

Yes, the last WW rear window seal Kent and I did “felt” too big on the glass, but installed perfectly. This was the 341 part number.

Robbie
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[Bala]

[Bala]

[CanStan]

[airschooled]

Huh, that’s interesting. Perhaps give them a call and ask?
_________________
Learn how your vintage VW works. And why it doesn't!
One-on-one tech help for your Volkswagen:
www.airschooled.com

[elcoqui]

I had the same issue with mine... and came to find out "or at least" this is what worked for me was to re-grind all the old bondo around the gasket perimeter, and notice all around it had way to thick of a coat... I slimmed it down, and the glass went in...no trouble.... just my 5cents.....
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some will love you for who you are, and some not for the same reason,,,,get used to it.

Coquí is the common name for several species of small frogs in the genus Eleutherodactylus native to Puerto Rico. The common name coqui is due to the sound they make at night.

[jtauxe]

I also noticed the WW says that their seal is for "left or right". The original seals are not symmetrical like that -- they are mirror images of another shape.

How do they think that left and right seals would be the same? Have people actually got the same seal to work on left and right?
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John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD

[SamboSamba22]

For other vendor reference, the part number for the side window seals I purchased from Bus Depot were the same for all 4 side windows on the 78.
Including the center side aluminum frame sliders.
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The Bus Barn Ltd. Co.

Oct. ’67 Double Cab (’68 Crew Cab)
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March '69 Delivery (Panel Bus)
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[a1steaksauce]

[Kirk]

[stevo]

I'm having some problems with my rear sides. For my 69 deluxe I ordered one rear without vent wing, and one rear with vent wing from WW in November. Reusing my original vent wing since it is in great condition. Reusing my deluxe chrome, also mint original German. I delivered my engine-less bus on a tow dolly to my decades long trusted nearby glass installer. After a few days he called to say he had the whole shop working on the installation only to give up and surrender claiming the seal was too thick. I was able to get into another glass shop, farther away but highly reputable. Rented a tow dolly again and delivered the bus this afternoon. Same result - whole staff on the project.

Each shop phoned WW at my request who really didn't have much to say about the situation. I returned home, returned the dolly, called WW. I discussed the situation with staff. I'm out $100 in seals and $100 in tow dolly rentals. I tried to talk staff into a returned item. Deal is one of the staff is installing a deluxe rear window and will try one of my seals on his deluxe window installation next week.
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When you cross an Irishman, they never forget. I mean, never.

[skills@eurocarsplus]

unless something went bad, i use the WW seals without issue. in fact, i prefer them.

usually you have to stretch the fuck out of them to get them on the glass.

when i did my deluxe it took me almost a week of nights installing the chrome trim. it is an epic pain in the ass to get it fully seated and your thumbs will be just about ready to fall the fuck off when you're done

are they installing the trim into the seal? it's wicked tedious and i honestly couldn't imagine having to pay someone to do it. it's an ez hour or so per window to do.

that said, which window are they having an issue with, all of them or the one with the vent window? if it's the one with the vent window it's a bit of a pain to get in and i leave the vertical part till last when roping it in.
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[stevo]

The crew at the first shop placed each seal on the glass panels, then installed the chrome trim before attempting the install on the bus. Or they installed the chrome first then the seal onto the glass. I was not there. But they were not trying to put the chrome on afterwards. The second shop had all that done ahead of time for them. Still no luck. At the second shop I had the chance to watch because they were cool enough to work on the bus while it was still on the dolly. They really slugged it out they way the first shop described. I too am a huge fan of WW products. Their deluxe windshield seal went in easily last week on the bus in question, done by the first shop.

When I cannot get NOS German, I use WW. After that it appears to be a huge drop off which is why I'm writing - to see whether others found difficulty, or heard of complaints that the seal was "too thick".
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When you cross an Irishman, they never forget. I mean, never.

[germansupplyscott]

[skills@eurocarsplus]