Aftermarket Product ReviewProvide questions and answers about aftermarket parts for the Third Generation F-Body.
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I'm getting ready to paint my car before it starts getting cold again and I was looking to replace the window sweeps cause mine are all cracked. I figure I occasionally see someone from 1A on this site, Tony I think is name is, so why not check them out, but I was also curious if anyone has first hand input to the quality of them?
We got them with a full strip kit couple yrs ago. They fit good.If you're NOT doing a full-on resto,this is a good set of sweeps. For a resto,if you can get GM that's the way to go. In short-they do the job well!
im pretty sure the price has went up over the years, but i paid 23 a piece for them with my discount from GM.
GM weatherstripping is the only way to go, IMO.
if you have a hookup at the dealer, or an online place, check them 1st.
Mine were falling apart & cracked,fuzzies were all gone. I can't tell you much more than if GM are affordable//obtainable I would have gone that way BUT the full kit from 1A Auto came with all we needed. Mine fell apart when the bodyshop took them out! I will ask him 2mro if he thot there is a significant dif. Restoration gurus spanked me for not going GM but WTF- we got what we could afford.
They quality of them is very good. One of the things that I'm involved with over here is product developement,and test fitting new seals for other vehicles at the moment.
If there are any questions about this product I'd be happy to answer them for you.Just shoot me a PM.
They quality of them is very good. One of the things that I'm involved with over here is product developement,and test fitting new seals for other vehicles at the moment.
If there are any questions about this product I'd be happy to answer them for you.Just shoot me a PM.
this was back in 2003 when i purchased roof seals for my hardtop, and had to return them becuase they did not meet with the window.
you could almost stick your finger in the gap.
windows were out for paint, so my 1st thought was the window was out. 2 hours of adjustment, i gave up. went to gm and bought the seals and fits like a glove. there was a good amount of thickness and stiffness differences in the rubbers.
1A returned them without question. i dont know if it was an issue with a batch of seals or youve changed brands, but thats just my experience.
this was back in 2003 when i purchased roof seals for my hardtop, and had to return them becuase they did not meet with the window.
you could almost stick your finger in the gap.
windows were out for paint, so my 1st thought was the window was out. 2 hours of adjustment, i gave up. went to gm and bought the seals and fits like a glove. there was a good amount of thickness and stiffness differences in the rubbers.
1A returned them without question. i dont know if it was an issue with a batch of seals or youve changed brands, but thats just my experience.
Not sure what happened there since it was 5 yrs ago.I just checked out our sales on them now and we've sold well into the hundreds of these with no returns.Also make sure when these are installed that the inner strips are properly in place and seated.
OK-I just chkd the dif between the inner sweeps--GM compared to Metro. The GM rubber & felt are a little thicker. The Metro did go on with no fit issue. So-- if you are doing resto for a show or to re-sell as original,then GM is the way to go. I don't know how much a show judge looks for,but may deduct points?? The fit issues I have are not for this thread. Would I get Metro again? Maybe not. I get what I can afford. I don't " show " the Camaro for points or for a living. It is a daily driver now. I will go to 1 A Auto for any stripping I need in the future... especially if the parts are GM!! They have customer svc that is above the norm!!
Last edited by t-top havoc; 08-26-2009 at 10:40 AM.
Reason: Added comment
well im going for 90% restore, motor is TBI (NOT STOCK) same with the 700r4, and the rear end ..... but from the out side it looks 100% stock, just shaving the radio antenna (maybe), a little pod to screw on the CB antenna (for trips and plus CBs go with the era), clear side markers (just dont like amber) and exhaust tips
i even gone to far as to get the correct grey valve caps for the tires ...... but i dont think window sweeps are going to be an issue if i got with "X" brand, now things like my interior buttons and turn signal arm has GOT to be GM
thanks for the help, i think "X" brand will do me just fine
i just now ordered a set . i want to support our sponsors . like the way Tony handles questions ( seems like a good guy for a "YANKEE" ) . cheers , happy hour now .
Wow, I can't believe it, I ordered these yesterday late morning and they were here midday today! Even with the free shipping! Sick deal... I'll be installing these tonight. I'll post results later!
So, like I said, I received the window sweeps yesterday. They appeared to be a fantastic reproduction brand. The rubber is thick and plyable, and the felt feels just like GM quality. Initial impressions are good!
This is why I decided to replace my window sweeps, obviously long overdue:
By the way, the weatherstripping around the door and roof/t-tops is next, they are getting bad as well...
Anyway! I did the normal routine of removing my old window sweeps. By the way, if you are stuck on how to get the outter sweep off, this is what I did. I removed the two felt window guides (seen in the picture below) that mount to the top of the door with a 10mm socket. I then removed the door panel and corner moulding of the door weatherstripping to gain access to the 2 10mm bolts that hold the triangle in place. Below those bolts, behind where the door panel was, is a third bolt with a large flange. That needs to be removed as well in order for the triangle to be moved out of the way enough to gain access to the last bolt that holds the outter sweep in.
After that, the fun part came: getting the new one in. While I like the material and quality, the mounting holes they have pre-drilled were off a little bit on almost every hole and made it impossible to re-mount the new outter window sweep. After a little drilling (to the sweep), all was good and it bolted up. This situation was true for both outter window sweeps.
For the inner sweeps, I pop-riveted the inner sweep to the inner plastic moulding that sits on top of the door since my mounting tabs on the moulding are long gone, haha. This worked like a charm and they mounted without issue and fit perfectly.
By the time I was wrapping up last night, it was around 10pm (started around 7:30pm), and the bugs were out in full force! They were drawn to my handlight... uhg!
This morning I went outside for a few final adjustments to the window guides and triangle so the window went up properly. These are the results!
My only real gripe with these is that the felts they put on the outter sweeps stick out further towards the window. When the window is up, they push the rubber at the top of the sweep out, and leave a small, small gap, but enough for water to get in. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and assume that after they heat up and cool a few times they will begin to mold to the window better. This only happened on one side, so I will go back and try an adjustment before I get any kind of upset about it. Here's what I'm talking about:
Here's a shot of my interior with the inner sweep in, looks pretty good! I haven't ever had inner sweeps on my car before, at least since I've owned it haha.
On those outers.It almost looks like the rivit or bolt is to tight pulling the seal away from the window and toward the door. You can try to either loosen up those two locations a tiny bit and if that dows not work maybe try to use a small washer as a spacer under the fastner to push the belt more towards the window on those two sections.
I pm'd yah, any questions at all feel free to buzz me.
I went and took a look last night. The felts are the issue, not the mounting bolts/screws. The felts themselves are bowed out in a couple spots, causing what you see in the picture. Not sure how to fix that... ?
I went and took a look last night. The felts are the issue, not the mounting bolts/screws. The felts themselves are bowed out in a couple spots, causing what you see in the picture. Not sure how to fix that... ?
PM me your shipping info. and we'll send you a replacement for that passenger side.It's just that side correct ?
There's a thin piece of metal in the rubber on the bottom of that sweep,it must have gotten bent somehow.
I sent you a PM. I appreciate all the help Tony, will post up new results when I get the new one installed. I'm sure it'll be fine since the driver's side is.
I sent you a PM. I appreciate all the help Tony, will post up new results when I get the new one installed. I'm sure it'll be fine since the driver's side is.
Thats geat service Tony.I plan on making a large purchase from u guys soon.I think with this kind of service we should all definitly support 1A.I will PM you some questions about a few parts when I am ready to order.How can u beat the shipping price!!
Thats geat service Tony.I plan on making a large purchase from u guys soon.I think with this kind of service we should all definitly support 1A.I will PM you some questions about a few parts when I am ready to order.How can u beat the shipping price!!
No problem I'd be glad to answer any questions that you may have.
Hate to say it but I had the SAME problem with the ones I ordered from you guys, except it was on the drivers side. The felt pad things stuck out to far causing the sweep not to even touch the window. I returned them, And got GM ones from the dealer. They were prity expensive ($125) But do work good.
I think it was 1A auto I ordered from the first time but I will have to check.
On the sweeps,one thing to keep in mind is that there's a small piece of metal that runs along the flat part that bolts to the door. When you're bolting them into place just make sure all the fastening points are snug,but don't crank down on them to hard,this could cause it to pull away from the window.
Also having that metal strip inside the rubber at the bottom can cause the sweep to bend out of position while installing them, or possibly during shipping (somehow).If you end up with a small gap or two you can take the sweep off the door and try to take those one or two small bends out using your thumbs,pushing in the opposite direction of the bend.
We test allot of our products that we carry,these are really good sweeps,just wanted to post a few things to consider when installing these onto your door.We realize that most of you guys aren't auto body men so few tricks I've learned through the years.
i just now ordered a set . i want to support our sponsors . like the way Tony handles questions ( seems like a good guy for a "YANKEE" ) . cheers , happy hour now .
I just saw this...Hey swing by here some day and I'll treat you to some CHOWDA New Englands got the best sea food.
I just saw this...Hey swing by here some day and I'll treat you to some CHOWDA New Englands got the best sea food.
not sure i could agree with on the seafood . i have been to your area , it is good . BUT , you need to try REAL " CAJUN SEAFOOD GUMBO " now thats really good stuff . good luck , thanks .
LOVE the Cajun Gumbo!! My Uncle in 'Bama makes some MEAN Gumbo! I NEVER leave the table hungry! 1A Tony-- get the REAL stuff whenever you get a chance!
LOVE the Cajun Gumbo!! My Uncle in 'Bama makes some MEAN Gumbo! I NEVER leave the table hungry! 1A Tony-- get the REAL stuff whenever you get a chance!
I bought my T-top seals from 1A and a buddy bought the outer window sweeps and I must say they make a GREAT product at an unbeatable price. I think the GM T-top seals are twice the price!! I will be ordering my new sweeps soon as well.
__________________ 1986 Trans Am, 2005 5.3 LM7 engine, LS6 intake manifold, cam, LS6 clutch assembly, T56 transmission w/ Hurst pro billet shifter, 95 TA 4.10 posi rear with heavy duty cover.
-Coming soon....dyno sheets!
I bought my T-top seals from 1A and a buddy bought the outer window sweeps and I must say they make a GREAT product at an unbeatable price. I think the GM T-top seals are twice the price!! I will be ordering my new sweeps soon as well.
well i recieved mine today ( a day early ) . very well packed , appear to be very nice in finish . don't know about fit , think it should be fine . my paint & bodyman has put me off one week . his shop is too full , don't really mind as he is the best in our area . now i can take my time on my header install . cheer's , almost happy hour .
I just received my outer/inner sweep combo. I got the inner with the new door top piece and all I can say is WOW! I hope they fit as good as they look! I got a set of replacement door tops with sweeps from another vendor a few years ago and they're JUNK compared to these from 1A. If they fit well, I will definately order another set.
I just received my outer/inner sweep combo. I got the inner with the new door top piece and all I can say is WOW! I hope they fit as good as they look! I got a set of replacement door tops with sweeps from another vendor a few years ago and they're JUNK compared to these from 1A. If they fit well, I will definately order another set.
So how exactly do you install the inner window sweeps? The originals appear to be held on by a cheesy little piece of plastic that is melted over and breaks off when removing the old ones.
So how exactly do you install the inner window sweeps? The originals appear to be held on by a cheesy little piece of plastic that is melted over and breaks off when removing the old ones.
some will break off when you remove old sweeps . can't be helped . a hot glue gun with GOOD glue sticks has worked for me in the past . good luck .
haven't installed them yet but they seem like a quality product 
Hey swing by here some day and I'll treat you to some CHOWDA
New Englands got the best sea food. 
1986 Trans Am, 2005 5.3 LM7 engine, LS6 intake manifold, cam, LS6 clutch assembly, T56 transmission w/ Hurst pro billet shifter, 95 TA 4.10 posi rear with heavy duty cover. 
