Elthesh

I decided to replace my A pillar trim since the sun had melted it so they both formed a nice V shape due to sagging in the center sections. The first step was to obtain new undamaged, unmelted pieces. I then came across an issue where it seems, at least for T-tops, that in mid 91 they changed the design of the trim piece from what they had been using since 1982. Noone could tell me what exactly the difference was. So, I hunted down a factory new trim piece of the newer design for one of the sides and bought a used piece for the opposite side of the previous design since that's what I needed anyway.

The next step was to figure out what to do with the trim rubber seal. The new piece had a brand new GM installed seal whereas the used one had the seal removed long ago, likely due to it falling apart. My own seals were in horrible shape as well. I did some research and located an almost exact copy of the seal. The original seal is some sort of foam or sponge rubber and in roughly a very bent L shape. The seal I found was also rubber, but more of a weatherstrip type rubber. It had the same shape and overall size as the original, but the open part of the L is connected so as to form a cockeyed triangle. The new seal also is of the peel and stick variety as was the original seal.

The weatherstrip can be purchased here and is number 2 in the photo.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/stick-on-re...wx?filterid=j1

Next was to clean the remains of the original sticky material from the old piece so as to get good clean contact with the plastic. I used Goo Gone. Rub some on, wait, rub more on, wait, a little more, then start scrubbing it off with a paper towel. It ALL came off, even though it was dried, hard as a rock and at least 25 years old. You will want to do the same. If you're going through the effort to replace the strip, are you really going to be cheap and lazy and leave the old dried up material there?

Lastly was the purchase new clips. Here are photos of the finished result, comparing both the new and original rubber seals and also comparing the two different trim pieces. One from pre mid 1991, one post mid 1991-1992. I haven't installed them yet so I'm unsure if the difference will matter on my pre 1991 design. The factory new piece with the original seal is the one in the photos with the new clip installed. The other piece does not yet have clips installed. Also, the new piece is dusty since I haven't wiped it down yet.

The photos are large so you can see all of the differences in the rubber seals and the trim pieces.

http://bellsouthpwp.net/E/l/Elthesh/IMG_0765.JPG
http://bellsouthpwp.net/E/l/Elthesh/IMG_0766.JPG
http://bellsouthpwp.net/E/l/Elthesh/IMG_0767.JPG
http://bellsouthpwp.net/E/l/Elthesh/IMG_0769.JPG
http://bellsouthpwp.net/E/l/Elthesh/IMG_0770.JPG
http://bellsouthpwp.net/E/l/Elthesh/IMG_0771.JPG

This is a photo of the clips used. The part numbers on the box below the 12992 are the GM numbers I used to find these on Ebay.

http://bellsouthpwp.net/E/l/Elthesh/IMG_0774.JPG

1ADan

iTrader: (4)

good info, thanks for sharing

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

That seal looks better than the original one! I will definitely be doing this on my TA.
Where did you get the new clips?

Elthesh

The seal really is better than the original I think. Also, a couple of the pictures kind of make it look like the new one is a bit wider than the old. Not that it would matter, but it isn't.

As for the clips, I actually bought them on Ebay. You can likely buy them almost anywhere, auto parts store, GM, etc. However, I decided against purchasing them one at a time and bought 2 different types since the parts manuals listed two types although only one was correct. I'll take a photo of the clips and add it to the first post. The box of 25 only cost about 5.50 as well.

Hardtops should use the same seal. Not sure what they use on the roof area, maybe more of that seal, but, they will need different clips for that particular area. Those clips would be plastic but also have a foam rubber "gasket" thing to add stability and orevent squeaks I assume.

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

what type of seal did you use ? 1 or 2 or3 ? 10 ft., A=5/8" x B=3/4"?


http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/do...rdnewgm-1.aspx

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

[QUOTE=Elthesh;5024319]...The weatherstrip can be purchased here and is number 2 in the photo.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/stick-on-re...wx?filterid=j1

I followed the above link yesterday afternoon and was doing my research. I had some errands to run. Late last night I returned to the task of ordering the weatherstripping and followed the link back to JC Whitney. The page was no longer available. I did a GOOGLE search on the mfr's p/n and found two sources pointing to the same now missing JC Whitney page. I copied all the part numbers and began a chat session with JC Whitney. They were unable to help. They told me to call JC Whitney, which I did. They too were unable to help. Now I'll attempt to find it by calling the mfr.

Lon

Elthesh

The bag lists

ASAP, Inc.
Part Number:
13-3202


It's lousy that they don't list it now, and a little odd that they seemed to be the only people in the entire world listing it.

If you can find a source for it and you like the results and all that, you may want to consider putting it up in your store. I know it took me quite a while of poring over image after image of weatherstrip to find it, so your store would make a much better place for it.

86black&gold

Im confused as to what these a pillar pieces are? I have an 86 trans am and im sure if everyone else is replacing these seals i also should.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

Everyone (including me) needs to replace these seals, but no replacement has been available. The seal is a along between the ABS pebble-finished trim piece covering the A-pillar on the inside of the car and the window. The OEM piece has a flat edge that was secured to the back side of the trim piece with double-sided tape. From that point it is bent at an angle with a curve to it to fill the gap between the trim piece and side window. Yours may be missing or so badly mangled that it no longer resembles what I am describing.

Lon

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

Wow - that sucks. I should have bought this when the thread was originally started. It's such a simple piece that there has to be another alternative.

86black&gold

Ok ive realized what they are, but my trim pieces look good. But the seal isn't whats the purpose of the seal?

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

I think it just fills in that space.

86black&gold

Ok. Its there just dry rotted.

Bad AZz Z28

any luck on another source for the replacement? I'm re-doing my door seals, handles, and hinges, so I'd love to fix these A pillars as well and have everything looking new.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

Here is something I found on Amazon that might work. I have to order it and try it.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0053G14TM/...560_pe_vfe_dt1

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

Nope.

James76

iTrader: (1)

I was actually looking at my a-pillars this evening trying to figure out if I need to find a replacement seal before putting them back in the car.

I work at a shop where we do truck accessories and when I saw the seal I knew it looked familiar. We get a similar seal with Access brand tonneau covers. I cant find the part number but I am sure someone can contact them to see if they sell just the bulkhead seal kit. It would likely take 2 kits for a hard top.

cdoyle

Dang it, I knew I should have bought this last year when I first asked about it.
So nobody else carried it?

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

That's funny you bumped this topic up. I was just looking at some seals from Steele rubber. They have something that should work. I am going to try to post a pic of it since I can't directly link to the page.

cdoyle

Which ones are you looking at? Their site is hard to navigate and not seeing anything.

Thanks!
Chris

cdoyle

Maybe these?
part number 83-10131-73

or these?
83-10125-73

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

This one

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

deleted

soul.justice

Thankfully due to the fact that i work in commercial HVAC, I got the five finger discount on three rolls of Ductmate 1" x 1/2" thick rubberized gasket tape. We usually use it to seal Ward/TDC duct connections and roof curbs for units, but I'll be applying it to my A pillar trim this weekend, I'll let everyone know how well it turns out.

I'll also be using this gasket tape on my dash where it meets the windshield and other trim pieces to kill off some squeaks.

blacksunshine'91

iTrader: (10)

There's also this option which is a pretty nice fix for this issue:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...stic-trim.html

-Eldon

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

Yep - that looks good too.

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

napa has one that looks and works just like the GM factry seal.
i did a full post with pics...a few months ago

luvofjah

iTrader: (2)

JC Whitney links don't work... tired some part numbers in this post, don't work either...
Anyone have new links / part numbers for this?

Thanks.