Aftermarket Product ReviewProvide questions and answers about aftermarket parts for the Third Generation F-Body.
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I installed one side myself did not like the results, had the pros do the other side. Both sides are leaking like sieves. The side I paid to have done is the worst, I went to go for a drive and the front and rear foot wells were filled with an inch of water. OER is well known for making trash but this takes the cake. Avoid OER like a plague!! I will now buy GM stuff and bring my total up to over $600 for t-tops becasue I didn't research to find out GM stuff is the best. Rant over.
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Last edited by KJZ28/TA; 06-30-2008 at 11:54 AM.
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keep us updated on how the sunroofdoctor parts come out....I am considering getting new weatherstriping soon so I finally wont be embarased to take off my t-tops cuz of my rusty t-bar
Call around to different dealers. I bought mine over the counter for about $250 for the pair. It's alot of work to swap them out so doing it right the first time is worth the extra cost of original parts. Plus, I've seen aftermarket sets costing more.
I ordered the actual seals that go on the body (not a full set) from MDM on Monday, but I haven't got them yet. It says they are original GM so they better be just that. I've had MDM send me some aftermarket crap and tell me it was genuine GM before. Hopefully that won't be the case this time. I'll let you know as soon as I get them in. It worries me a bit because they probably put "original GM" to say its for stock T-tops or something stupid like that.
__________________ 1987 Camaro SC
Cardomain: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2931659 Upgrades Power windows, power locks, power hatch release, cruise control, POR-15ed underside, KYB shocks, Moog front springs, 85-89 style body kit installed, new brake lines, MSD Blaster GM coil, 8.5mm MSD Super Conductor plug wires, Autolite 26 spark plugs, Hooker exhaust, Hedman headers, and alarm system...more to come
This is the email I got from the sunroff dr. after I emailed them...
Quote:
The weatherstrips you purchased are GM licensed products. We have sold many of them with no problems. If you are not satisfied, return the product within 30 days for a full refund less shipping charges.
I dont want to pay shipping!!! They did not tell me what I was buying! I am going to be biting the bullet big time in shipping costs.
What should I do????
Oh another thing about the OER seals..... I looked on my passenger side and the t-top panel seal does not meet both ends of the body seal...big gap.
GM licensed and Genuine GM are not the same thing. Licensed just means they paid a fee to GM to make them. Their site is a lie. I'd call them to complain and if that didn't work, I'd complain to your credit card company and have the charge reversed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KJZ28/TA
This is the email I got from the sunroff dr. after I emailed them...
I dont want to pay shipping!!! They did not tell me what I was buying! I am going to be biting the bullet big time in shipping costs.
What should I do????
Oh another thing about the OER seals..... I looked on my passenger side and the t-top panel seal does not meet both ends of the body seal...big gap.
GM licensed and Genuine GM are not the same thing. Licensed just means they paid a fee to GM to make them. Their site is a lie. I'd call them to complain and if that didn't work, I'd complain to your credit card company and have the charge reversed.
Their websight states:
Quote:
Complete 6 piece kit includes all t-top weatherstrips Genuine GM parts.
I would contact your credit card company ASAP!!!!!
Sometimes if you want GM parts, you just have to buy them from a dealer, did you try gmpartsdirect.com? I'm sure there are some other places, but at least when buying from GM, you know you are getting GM parts!!!!
OMG!! That is the cost of a new GM kit!!!!!! I want the real stuff but that is a lot of $$$$$$!!!!
Anyway this is what they sent me when I told them they are not selling genuine GM stuff....
Quote:
These parts are not inferior quality. They are used with the same molds as original. We have installed these parts and have had excellent results. We are sorry you are not satisfied, but we can not reimburse you for the shipping charges. Return the parts to: The Sunroof Doctor 11574 W Farm Road 34 Walnut Grove, MO 65770 Customer Service
The Sunroof Doctor
Has anyone used the sets from STEELE RUBBER PRODUCTS? They claim to have a lifetime Warranty. The following is in his listings.
This part is manufactured BRAND NEW, is MADE IN THE USA, and carries a LIFETIME WARRANTY. See "Quality Parts" below for details.
This top quality weatherstrip set fits most F-Body cars, specifically, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992 Chevy Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, and Pontiac TransAm T-Tops. It seals the t-top from rain and wind noise. It does not fit all cars of this type. If you are unsure if this is the right weatherstrip for your vehicle, please call us and speak with our award winning customer service staff. Our toll free number is 800-650-4471. Our customer service department can assist you in determining the right fit for your vehicle. In accordance with eBay rules, our customer service representative will request that you return to this eBay listing to purchase the part. This is an eBay only price for this part. The picture below shows the actual strips, and the graphic further down shows them as they would be installed.
OMG!! That is the cost of a new GM kit!!!!!! I want the real stuff but that is a lot of $$$$$$!!!!
Anyway this is what they sent me when I told them they are not selling genuine GM stuff....
If their site states "Genuine GM" and they sent you OER, claiming it's ok because it's GM licensed.....and will not refund your shipping, then you have a good claim to file a chargeback through your credit card company.
Because they lied and mislead you, hopefully you paid by credit card. If so you'll get a free set of weatherstripping out of this because of their stupidity.
I bought a $20 "Captain America" VHS tape off a Amazon.com seller once thinking it was the 1992 version......their ad had a stock photo and details of the one I thought I was buying.
When I got it, it was a 1940 B/W of the "Captain America" serials. Definitely not what I ordered. I tried to get them to refund my money, they never answered my emails and couldn't get them on the phone.
After a few weeks I called my credit card company and filed a chargeback, I explained what happened and by my next bill I had the credit back on my account and the movie (which I didn't want).
Same thing happened to me with rear spring isolators. I bid on a set of NOS genuine GM rear spring isolators on ebay, payed via Paypal. When they arrived, they were new GM parts, but they were the 4th gen style, which are thicker. They do superceed the 3rd gen style according to GM. But because he advertised them as NOS, and they weren't NOS, I was refunded all my money, including the shipping charges.
I was also about to buy the OER's from Hawks, and just came acroos this thread! Glad I read it. I don't won't to spend $500 on a set, but I also don't won't my brand new headliner to get destroyed either! Thanks for the post
Hey if you guys are having issues finding the t-top seals theres a company that carries hard to find OE parts like the Z-bar for my 82, heres the link www.vpartsinc.com
I sent an email threatening to call the better business bureau if they do not refund my shipping charges.
We will see what happens.
Don't bother with the BBB!!!! The BBB has no authority over businesses!!!! Waste of time. When was the last time you contacted the BBB before you purchased something from a company, to see if that company is reputable?
Don't bother with the BBB!!!! The BBB has no authority over businesses!!!! Waste of time. When was the last time you contacted the BBB before you purchased something from a company, to see if that company is reputable?
My family has called the BBB in the past for bad companies, it has worked.
so your saying that the one from hawks for 250 are trash??? Anybody have ANY good results? im in monsoon season now and i have to keep my camaro covered with a tarp everynight i need new seals but i dont wanna drop 500 for a set...
A little off subject but the OER door weatherstripping I purchased did not fit properly. I tore the one piece and Classic Industries would not refund my money. I will never purchase OER products again, not real thrilled with Classic Industries either.
Last edited by barristerjim; 07-28-2008 at 05:09 PM.
Classic industries rapes you with shipping charges!! OER is not good for much except 2nd gen dashes. That is the only product I have heard people happy with, the rest is trash.
Go to summitt and check out the metro supersoft.I bought a set and they seem nice. Test fit the door gasket and seems perfect.I think theres a 15 year warranty and summitt has been real good to me with any returns.
Hey, before any of you start doing some major complaining about your seals that don't fit, why don't you try ADJUSTING them? GM had a TSB about the end gaps. If I can ever get my scanner hooked up (or use another computer) I can scan the TSB sheet I have and post it if you don't believe me--it was taken off of the GM Service website while I was in school a while back (the school was a GM factory training school and had access to the GM site). The seals CAN be adjusted, provided you bought the 85-89 set that has the screw-on retainers that are screwed to the tops... If you have a later model, I can't help you there. You have to get the earlier stuff and drill 2 holes in the plastic to do this.
I've had nothing but trouble with leaking Ts since I bought my car 5 years ago (2 inch rust hole in pass side rear footwell if you don't believe me), and now that I have finally redone the weatherstripping install on my later model tops, THEY DON'T LEAK!! The front window triangles might, and the body seal where the fronts of the windows press against the A pillar might, but the T's don't. And my weatherstripping, I guarantee, is in the worst shape of just about anyone's on this forum... it's literally cracking to pieces.
Anybody think of maybe just using memory foam then cutting and trimming the extra off? Would fill every little crack and hole, and it flexes (mushy like weatherstripping)????????????
Anybody think of maybe just using memory foam then cutting and trimming the extra off? Would fill every little crack and hole, and it flexes (mushy like weatherstripping)????????????
Anybody think of maybe just using memory foam then cutting and trimming the extra off? Would fill every little crack and hole, and it flexes (mushy like weatherstripping)????????????
BRILLIANT!!!
Thats what we need, forget gm and thier fancy engineers, ill put my mattress on my camaro so it can be a large sponge for the water!
just kidding. there is no ghetto fix for this guys, unfortunately its do or die on these seals
ok so hawks oer is still trash or? If its a matter of adjustment then im gonna have to buy them and suck it up, WHAT EXACTLY about them doesnt work and dont give me the they dont fit answer "fittment" can mean alot, are they to big? too small? not thick enough?
i looked over the tsbs and apparently they swear by it, ive had luck with OER in the past plus i mean worst case scenario i could hit up the gm pair and eat the cost, atleast we could kill this argument
At leat on the door main issue is fitting as per actual size (Too big) check out this video & tech article below:
Keep in mind we are an OER dealer ad get the OER stuff CHEAP, but at day's end we also have the duty to offer the best product to our clients.
May sound corny but if we sell you a product with a high profit margin ONCE and fit is not A+ we may lose your future business. We would prefer to sell you a product with a small profit margin many times and have you as a client for years.
That is how business should be done.
We have a install video below and also the print version tech article below as well:
You can buy a Pinto or you can buy a BMW, the price maybe higher on the BMW until you DRIVE IT ONCE.
Quality is not cheap and that is why JC Whitney catalogs are free.
Not being harsh just stating the reason behind pricing.
We can get OER for next to nothing and sell it dirt cheap too. We choose not to.
My point being Hawks is getting grief for a product they sell not produce. We prefer to have our name tied to only the best products available for that application.
I am sure the guys at Hawks feel this way also as that is a basic business principle.
In many cases no that will not be the cheapest on the market. If you have to do an install once every 15 years, or once a year over and over there is not savings at all.
You always want to condier the END PPOINT cost of the product.
Cutting and trimming rubber seals to get them to fit out of the box, simply does not work for me at least.
watch ebay, i bought a set of GM old stock off a guy that was buying out bk'd dealers. I think I paid like 145 shipped for the body side t-top strips and the t-top side above the windows.
No problems here.
Hey if you guys are having issues finding the t-top seals theres a company that carries hard to find OE parts like the Z-bar for my 82, heres the link 
