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Date:         Mon, 17 Jul 2000 00:18:36 EDT
Reply-To:     Oxroad@aol.com
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeffrey R <Oxroad@aol.com>
Subject:      Re: Luggage rack seal...
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 7/16/2000 6:56:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time, marcperdue@adelphia.net writes:

<< > My luggage rack is positioned as it came from the factory, with all > fasteners fastened. It's apparent that the new seal allows air to get > into the space below the rack, causing a racket at speed. There is a > tiny 1/32 gap in a spot along the front, and this must be what's causing > it. >>

I've gotta say my luggage rack seal from the bus depot doesn't seal the way the factory seal sealed either. I was blaming it on the idea that my luggage rack warped, but maybe the stock seal is just thicker. I've got a 1/4 gap where the seal meets the passenger side a-pillar. Possibly the original seal would fill such a gap in that if it is thicker it would pull the driver's side over a bit and use the remaining bit to close the gap.

And this idea that the seal has to leak I think is sales BS as in "Yes Mrs. Jones all gas tanks are supposed to leak a little bit." Because in my estimation the water is meant to leak out the back where the rack is clearly designed to be wider and not seal against the roof. I mean it's only about a sixteenth of an inch wider but that's all it should take. I'm not willing to concede that these things came from the factory with a gap in the front. And I'm also not willing to concede a gap is desired, necessary, or even ok.

I wish I kept the original seal to compair it, but of course I tossed it when I took it off. Does anyone know if the OEM seal is indeed thicker?

I've gotta say if I had it all to do over again I'd get all the facts up front about the original vs. aftermarket seals. And if it was "better" I'd go with the OEM seal no matter the cost. I mean yes, the original seal is flawed, but it did last more than 15 years. And no one is doing me a favor selling me a less expensive seal that is "almost" as good at sealing as the stock seal. I've gotta say pulling that F#@@%%$ luggage rack on and off a dozen time was a huge PITA--and it's still not **#@! sealing right!

That's my 2 cents Jeff 83.5 Westy


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