4 Door L Body Window Channel

[jckrieger]

Tonight I spent about an hour trying to install the window channel kit from Omnipotentparts.com. Sadly, the channel I received in the kit does not fit like the original. Below is what the channel looks like that came in my kit, both installed and next to my "decent" used channel:

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa44/jckrieger/2012-12-30_17-42-07_483_zps302aa2cb.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa44/jckrieger/2012-12-30_17-41-08_7_zpse3545335.jpg

You can see how narrow the window channel sits in the frame. The original channel had more of a "V" profile that caused the channel to flare out towards the top and cover the inside edge of the window frame. This channel will work, but it does not fit correctly. Needless to say, I'm interested in a source for window channel that is going to fit like the original. Has anyone found a good source?

[T-Bohn]

I got and installed a set from them. No problems.

[jckrieger]

I got and installed a set from them. No problems.

I'm really hoping they can help me out. It looks like RockAuto sells some sizes that might fit, but I'd rather not have to buy the same thing twice!

My luck getting parts for these cars has really sucked recently. First I purchased a T3 freeze plug kit for the R/T and it came with a 1 1/16 plug when I needed a 7/16 plug, now the window channel kit doesn't fit. I guess this is all part of the hobby.

[tryingbe]

Silicone spray was the key for me to get mine installed.

[2.216VTurbo]

I bought a set from Greg at the last SDAC, didn't get around to installing until a few weeks ago( I was at a car show with the car and bored:D) I laid the channel in with Pledge furniture polish and detail spray, its all I had with me:o. I did have an issue on the front door window frame where the frame goes 90 degrees, the strip wouldn't lay flat without bunching up no matter what I tried. I ended up clipping 2 small 45 degree notches out of the sides of the strip where the right angle is in the window frame. No issue after that, laid in nicely.:) Sooooo much quieter with windows that seal:clap:

[jckrieger]

I'll go back out there with some silicone spray and see if I can get them to fit properly. I tried pushing them into place with a putty knife and also a smaller 1/4 window glass to no avail. It sounds like it's normal for these things to be difficult to install so I'll give it another shot. It just seemed like the new channel was wider than the original stuff and causing it not to fit properly.

[T-Bohn]

It has been a really long time since I did the install. I do remember a lot of push and wiggle to ge them to settle. I think in the end I got them in and then rolled up the windows tight and let them set for a hot summer week to settle in.

[zin]

I'll suggest warming them up before trying to install, seeing that you're in IL, I imagine the rubber is pretty stiff, which will not make things go easy.

BTW, how much did it cost?

Mike

[jckrieger]

I'll suggest warming them up before trying to install, seeing that you're in IL, I imagine the rubber is pretty stiff, which will not make things go easy.

BTW, how much did it cost?

Mike

The window channel was the same price as it is now, $100. It's actually quite warm in my garage when I run the heat. I was in a T-shirt when I was working with these and they were VERY flexible. I'm going to try some lube and see what happens tomorrow.

[zin]

Oh well, it can never be that simple can it!? Hope it works out, I need some as well ...

Mike

[jckrieger]

I spent a few minutes removing the driver's side channel, lubing it up and re-installing it. As Alan mentioned, the rear corner needs to be trimmed to resolve a bulge in that location. I can hear the channel "snap" into place, it just doesn't sit in the door like the original did. I can live with this, but I probably would have paid half the price and bought some from Rock Auto if I knew they weren't going to fit exactly like the originals.

For anyone who wants to try and find an alternative, the inside dimensions of the 4 door L window frame are 17 mm wide by 15 mm deep.

Can somebody take a picture of what their replacement L body window channel looks like installed in the car? I'd like to see if your channel sits the same way in the frame.

[jckrieger]

Greg replied to my email this afternoon. I'll be giving him a call tomorrow and we're going to go over the installation process. I'm surprised it's this difficult to get the channel to seat properly. Either way, I think we'll get it sorted out and I'll take pictures of the installed product. It looks like I might need something thicker than my "tape spreader" to get the channel set properly.

[thedon809]

In your first picture it just looks like the OE channel is squished from being 20+ years old.

[johnl]

I bought the whole kit; good product. My '85 GLHT is SO much quieter now.

I used liquid car wash soap, wash & wax type, to ease the install. Used a chip brush and a shallow bowl of the soap to make sure that I had complete coverage/lubrication. After removing the old channel, I found it necessary to clean out the window frame and to lube both sides, the frame and the channel rubber. I used a piece of wood - a 6" piece of sawed off paint stir stick - and a light rubber mallet to seat the channel, then I rolled up the windows and let them sit for a few days. Only issue, as Alan noted, are the 90* corners and I just left them to pucker out slightly, thinking maybe later, after they take a set to make witness marks then maybe I'll go back and make precise 45* cuts.

[jckrieger]

I finished re-assembling the passenger side door tonight. The new channel fits reasonably well, it just doesn't hug the inside of the window frame like the original did. I know I will enjoy not having massive air/water leaks, along with rattling window glass. As John and Alan pointed out, you do need to make a couple small 45 degree cuts in order to get the rear corner on the driver's door to look right.

[2.216VTurbo]

Did you pull out that little factory metal retainer that was attached to the original felt? I couldn't get the new seal to work with that thing and omitted it. I'm sure a die-hard L body fanatic would notice but my car is caged and pretty modded far from stock anyway;)

[RoadWarrior222]

I used a piece of wood - a 6" piece of sawed off paint stir stick - and a light rubber mallet to seat the channel, Yah, I was gonna say, looks like the kind of stuff that will seat better if you bump it with a mallet.

[thedon809]

Hammers fix everything. This is a fact.

[johnl]

I wasn't clear so just in case - I placed the piece of wood inside the channel so that when I tapped it with the mallet it would pull the channel, and its rubber barb, into the frame and positively seat it.

As for the window guide clip, a grinder and a punch removed the rivet from the old channel and clip and after drilling the channel, a pop rivet attached it. Peened the rivet flat between a drift and the vice's anvil.

I still have to pull my corners out to make the 45* cuts although I might be able to do cut them in place with a razor/exacto blade.

[ScottD]

I had the same issues when installing my window channels in my GLHS.

I had to use a LOT of silicone on the new seals. I also had to open up the cut a little bit more in the corners.

These seals won't sit as low in the channel as the originals. However, because they are so much more pliant, they seal MUCH better than the originals.