A few months ago, I asked about the ttop weatherstripping that got mis-shaped by the door window. I tried applying heat and reshaping it, but that didn't work. I bought new weatherstripping from Soffseal and noticed that it installs differently than the factory. The factory set had a tab molded into the rubber with a screw to hold it to the ttop at each end, while the replacements just slide into the channel.

The replacements cost a few dollars more than the dealership, but I figured they would be newer rubber. What's the opinion of those that have done weatherstripping? With my car having only 13k miles, I'm tempted to buy a complete set from Chevy. Both sides of ttop weatherstripping will run about $300. Are aftermarket sets actually better than factory? Is factory better than aftermarket? Opinions please. My weatherstripping is starting to show it's age.

 

nothing like the factory gm seals however i got some from a place on ebay, i think they are just as good as gm

 

The factory GM is different than what came on your car...

Starting in 1989 (I believe) they imporved the T-top seals and there are holes in the seals that allow water to run inside and then down the pillars, then they drain into the door jamb... If you look at your seals they should be solid where the T-top meats the A-pillar and the window in the front. The new ones there is a little hole....

If the Soff Seal does not have the extra drain I would return them and get GM, no questions asked. My tops do NOT leak one bit on my leg, the only problem I had was the seal between the body and the seal, this was easily remodied by some black silicone . It would have happened with ANY seal.


JOhn

 

I don't recall the soffseal units having that hole you mention, but either way, they don't leak a drop even when I wash the car... and I never even cemented them into place. They're just pressed into the channels.

 

John i beleve the new t-top seals started in 91... judging from my junkyard explorations.. it about the same time the 1 piece rubber like triangles were being put in...

 

Tony,
that very well could be, I know 1992 cars did for sure, the only reason I used 1989 is the 1989 Pontiac Media kit states that the door glass seals were improved for better sealing and less wind noise...

The new seal number would supercede the old number and there should not be a reference in the Parts & Illustration catalogs, so its all I had to go on.

Now that I think of it it may have even been a mid 1991 change, as I do not remember my 1991 having the seals, but again maybe it did, I just do not remember.

John

 

I do remember a mid 91 change over now that you mention it...

in the parts books it had the VINs listed for the 1st and 2nd design...

 

Well, I called Eckler's today and talked to a friend of mine there. He said that I could get the GM originals from him for $94 a side. I already replaced the passenger ttop seal with the Soff Seal and the ones I called him about are the A pillar-around the ttop-B pillar weatherstripping. I guess I'll go with GM originals even though they won't look exactly like the 87 originals. Do the new style GM seals look just like the Soff Seal? If neither one will look identical to what I have, then does it matter? It then comes down to cost.

Jim, I take it you have the Soff Seal set. Did you just install them in the channel? Did you replace all the wetherstripping or just the ttop? How well do they line up with the body?

 

I just pressed them into the channel and screwed them in at the bottom. I've replaced the t-top weatherstripping, door weatherstripping, and hatch weatherstripping. The door weatherstripping didn't fit right at the very front of the door (where you can't see it anyway), but the t-top gaskets fit perfectly. I did not replace the gaskets that are on the t-tops themselves.

 

Actually the difference is very minor, Really the only way someone could tell is if you removed your tops and then you can see the little cups that catch the water, and the holes as well...

If you do this, then get the new seals for your T-tops as well, the shape of the rubber ends are slightly different where they meet the rubber on the car. Although the new package comes with plastic drip rails, instead of the crappy rubber ones, you can probably use the original rubber drip guards if you want...

I know it has to be very painful to go away from what was on there originally, especially when you have a car like yours, but I think the newer style GM are much better than original.

I need to tek pix of mine, one of my cars till has the original style, and the other one has the new stuff..

JOhn