Fitting a door seal

As with everything on this site if you know a better way of doing things or find anything different on your specific model /year spot or spot an error let me know. If you take a snap and mail me a few words I’ll include on the site and give you a mention if you like.

NOTE: I recommend that if your not sure about something get your digital camera out and get snap happy. It’s good to have some images to refer back too if you get lost.

Difficulty:
You will be glad to hear this is a nice easy straight forward job. Yay.

What you need:

• • Flat head screwdriver
  • Spray glue
  • Hammer or general hitting thing
  • Door seal

Step One – Removing the seal

The first thing you need to do is remove the old seal. If it’s anything like mine it’s all brittle and full of holes.

Because it kept breaking apart it was a pain in the tits to remove. Perseverance and a screw driver at the key here.

Once the seal is removed the next step is remove the pin on the arm which holds the door open. Onto step 2.

Step Two – Removing the pin

Below is a pic of the door pin, you need to remove this to get the new seal on.

Note: If you remove the pin before the seal there is nothing to keep the door from closing and trapping your precious little digits.

There is a small horseshoe shaped clip at the bottom of the pin which can be popped off with the flat of a screw driver. Remember to put this somewhere safe.

The easiest way to remove the pin is to hit it from below then remove with a pair of pliers.

If its being stubborn you can use a screwdriver that is slightly narrower than the pin and knock it through from below.

 

Step Three – Fitting the new seal

There will be a square hole on the door seal which you will be able to slip over the arm from which you have just removed the pin.

For safety once you have done this put the pin and clip back in place. The seal will only fit on one way so you won’t really be able to screw that bit up Now all you need to do is slip the door seal into door, its straight forward but a little fiddly.

It shouldn’t pose you too many problems.

NOTE: You will find the door more difficult to close for a few weeks or months. I have checked with fellow vee dubbers and apparently this is normal. I have heard that VW Status sell a better quality of seal made on original machinery but I’m too stingy to find this out as they are double the price.

Step Four – Glue it

Initially I didn’t glue mine in but the seal kept falling out of the curve at the bottom of the door so I sprayed a little glue in there and it’s been fine ever since.

Ta da. All done…. No more leaks for you. Well not from this seal.