Weather Stripping--proper installation anyone?

[AnthroProfessor]

I live in CA, so my rubber strips have not really been tested in real rain. I suspect that the rear window rubber stripping needs replacement because water seems to seep through on those rare occasions we do get a period of heavy rain, but then my car winds up in the garage and dries up quickly. Are the bottom corners of the rear window spots for leaking. Also, I notice my rear window kind of warped--not sure if its just an optical illusion.
I have no idea how much the dealer charges for this or if it can be done by ourselves. My rear defroster does not work as well, so I wonder if it has to do with the lines on the window that have been scratched.

The weather stripping on the doors are expensive at $175 each when I inquired a few years back. I don't know what the current MSRP is. Is there a special glue one has to use to properly install them? I think glue is used only near the door hinge area as that is the tricky place. On most parts of the door, the stripping just slides right in and on other spots, it looks like it must be glued on.

New strips around the door will reduce wind noise while driving and seal the car better in rain. I believe one would appreciate the difference new strips make.

Any hints and points are appreciated because I want to make sure I have knowledge of this stuff before doing it myself.

[Don350SDL]

First, the lower rear corners of the back glass are notorious for leaks in almost every model of the last century. Not sure which car you mean, but they are all do-able at home, but you must have some minor tools & equipment to make it happen. The manual explains it.

Door seals:
What seems like an easy DIY job - a dab of glue, press it in here, wiggle there - is actually a royal PITA to get right, even for a guy with significant experience. For a first-timer, you need to accept the fact that you'll still have wind noise.

I recommend bringing it to someone with experience on the model, but I do concede that the work is likely to be not inexpensive.

Don

[Marshall Welch]

Try to find the door seals on line- shop around- you should be able to find them for less than the over-the-top blow-out prices you mentioned. I found mine locally for about $70. each and you might even be able to do better than that.

I have a set of the new door seals, just waiting for the weather to cooperate so I can start putting them on. The adhesive I've heard and seen recommended is 3M Super Weatherstrip Adhesive. I believe I found it at an auto parts store. I think it comes in either black or a lighter color, sort of an amber or yellow color. The tube I have is Part No 051135-08001 and I think it's the yellow color.

You may also need at least some of the nylon pins/fasteners that hold the strips in place- try searching BuyMBParts.com, Autohaus AZ, Performance Products, etc, or they can be obtained from a dealer. I've been told you can often use the original fasteners now on your car, but you may break a few of them when removing the old weatherstrips.

And do a forum search- replacing these has been discussed on either this forum, Diesel Discussions, or both forums. And I think there are instructions in the Mercedes Service Manual. Hopefully you'll find a live link to the service manual posted somewhere on the web when you do a forum search, or maybe another forum member can post it. I just tried to look on skinnerbox.steaky.org, but was denied access. Please let us know how it goes...

[H-townbenzoboy]

Marshall Welch, will you consider doing a pictorial when you replace your door seals? All four of mine are in need of replacement, I have the service manual to help me, but sometimes it helps to see what an actual owner like you went through yourself that the service manual may not be able to point out.

[Marshall Welch]

Marshall Welch, will you consider doing a pictorial when you replace your door seals? All four of mine are in need of replacement, I have the service manual to help me, but sometimes it helps to see what an actual owner like you went through yourself that the service manual may not be able to point out.

Thanks for the request- I'll strongly consider posting tips and pictures when I do it. I probably won't get to the job for several more months, though.


Door seals:
What seems like an easy DIY job - a dab of glue, press it in here, wiggle there - is actually a royal PITA to get right, even for a guy with significant experience. For a first-timer, you need to accept the fact that you'll still have wind noise.

I recommend bringing it to someone with experience on the model, but I do concede that the work is likely to be not inexpensive.

Don

Don, thanks for the advise.