Soft top Rubber Window Seals

[Snoop D]

In my never ending list of problems with the Z4, the rubber seals on the soft top, around the side windows, don't seat properly in their correct positions. Every time I lower and close the windows or open/close the door, the windows close/rub against the seal, making it work loose.

I had to replace my whole soft top this summer, so these rubber seals have been transferred from my old soft top to this new soft top (new soft top didn't come with them as seller removed them!). I sprayed WD-40 on both the seals and the guide rails to ease installation so they would just 'slide/slip on' without minimal effort. The long curved rubber goes on but it never seats properly at the bottom and always eventually starts coming off from the bottom where it meets the door. There is also a small indentation on the longer curved seal (same on passenger's side) which creates a gap between the seal and window.

I have had a little search around the forum but couldn't really find anyone who had a similar problem. I have seen a lot of people use Gummi Pflege to restore the seals. Do you think this will work in my case?

It's quite hard describing this in words, so I have included plentiful pictures and a video showcasing the problem.

Door opened:




View from inside:




Door shut:




Indentation in rubber seal causing gap in window:














Inside view with door shut:

 

[Snoop D]

Passenger side with door and window shut:





I also note that one of the roof lights are very very dimly light. Anyone know what this means?




Thanks.

 

[Snoop D]

Here is the video:

https://youtu.be/M07QN8xrx0k

It doesn't actually look that bad in the video. Its much more worse and frustrating than that in real.

Thanks.

 

[tomrdy]

Wd40 seems like a good idea in this situation but it's not - it tends to melt rubber based materials hence it being great to clean off gunk/glue.

When I replaced my top I had a pretty "fun" time getting these back on. Only tip is to use soapy water as the lubricant instead of wd40.

Your parts seem to look fine from the pics simply just not seating on completely - it can look like it is but often it's not.

Also the technique is to slide/thread it in from one end first - so that you know it's in the correct groove. Witj soapy water it shoild glide on easier.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[Snoop D]

Wd40 seems like a good idea in this situation but it's not - it tends to melt rubber based materials hence it being great to clean off gunk/glue.

When I replaced my top I had a pretty "fun" time getting these back on. Only tip is to use soapy water as the lubricant instead of wd40.

Your parts seem to look fine from the pics simply just not seating on completely - it can look like it is but often it's not.

Also the technique is to slide/thread it in from one end first - so that you know it's in the correct groove. Witj soapy water it shoild glide on easier.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Hi tomrdy,

Thanks for the advice

It just seems to be the longer curved seals on the back edge of the windows that are the troublesome ones. Once I start sliding it in (from the top edge with roof slightly open) it slides in perfectly. It's when the rubber seal then has to curve and take the contours of the guide rail, thats when it starts becoming a bit flimsy, and yeah, I think the WD-40 isn't doing any good either as it just makes it more slippery and eventually pops off very easily when you close the door or operate the windows. I did notice today though, that once the WD-40 starts to dry off, it's less slippery and a little harder to pop off the grooved rails...

I'll take them off and give them a good clean and try your soapy water technique. Should I start threading/sliding the seal on from the bottom (door edge) or from the top next to the middle seal? Any chance you could get me a picture showing the correct seating position of the seals so that I can have a reference point?

Thanks again!

 

[tomrdy]

If I recall correctly the bottom side is not open-ended - so thread from there (or whichever is not open ended).

Open the hood a bit so you can get it from the bottom.

I'll try to get a pic of the way mine sits in the morning!

 

[Snoop D]

If I recall correctly the bottom side is not open-ended - so thread from there (or whichever is not open ended).

Open the hood a bit so you can get it from the bottom.

I'll try to get a pic of the way mine sits in the morning!

Thanks mate - greatly appreciated!

 

[tomrdy]

Had a look this morning and I remembered wrong - no such thing as an open-end on the seals

Pics as promised:

 

[Snoop D]

Had a look this morning and I remembered wrong - no such thing as an open-end on the seals

Pics as promised:

Brilliant! Thank you so much!