Date: Fri, 28 May 1999 11:18:50 -0700
Reply-To: Steve Macaulay <smacaulay@INFINTIUM.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Steve Macaulay <smacaulay@INFINTIUM.COM>
Subject: Re: window gaskets
In-Reply-To: <1284239189-45528142@decorah.k12.ia.us>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hi Jim,
I've done some of this recently with my 89 westy. Got the parts from Ron at
Bus Depot. What I replaced more or less just popped in. I replaced the top
window channel and bottom outside window channel. The biggest problem I had
was assuming that the part was the correct size. It was actually larger and
needed to be cut down some. I didn't have a proper cutting tool and I ended
up crushing the aluminum on the inside of the window channel seal at the end
I cut. When I straighten it out the best I could I found that the piece was
now about 1/2 inch to short. I put it on anyway. The parts weren't cheap
but Ron definitely had the best prices (dealer prices were much higher) . I
paid $40 each for two top window channels (go on top from edge of flip-out
window to back of top and then down back side to bottom of window) and $20
each for the outside window piece (bottom outside of window from flip-out
window to bottom back of window and then up back side window a few inches to
where it connects to the top window channel seal). $120 from Bus Depot for
all pieces for both windows. This price doesn't include anything around the
small flip-out windows or the bottom inner seals. Install was pretty easy
other than the cutting error I had. Just pull the old pieces out and push
the new pieces in. Top window channel piece comes as a straight piece that
you bend around the corners as you install it. After you put it on and
figure out the correct length, take it off and cut it with something like a
hacksaw and be careful not to bend the aluminum inside. The mistake I made
was using some tin-snips to cut the end off and not removing it completely
to do the cutting. This ended up crushing the aluminum. The bottom outside
piece was already pre-curved and required no bending.
When getting the parts, it helps to have a Bentley to discribe them to the
Bus Depot guy. If you have this manual, it has a page on it that has a good
picture of the door and it has the offical part names of the various pieces.
There are different part numbers for the outside and inside bottom window
seal depending on the vehicle. I have an 89 westy also and I know they had
the correct part for it. Their web site had all of the pieces I needed
listed on it somewhere as well as the offical part numbers.
You could save some $$$ if you could find a generic seal from somewhere like
J.C. Whitney that would work or if you could get these off of a parts or
junk van somewhere. Otherwise, Bus Depot will definitely save you some
money over a dealer. Their prices were about 2/3 of the dealer price when I
checked a couple of months ago.
Hope this helps,
Steve
89 Westy
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> Of Jim Fritz
> Sent: Friday, May 28, 1999 7:23 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: window gaskets
>
>
> Volks,
> The weatherstripping around the driver and passenger windows on
> my 89 Westy have seen too much Texas sun (PO) and have cracked
> and are coming apart. I need to replace them before our big trip
> later this summer. How much of a pain is this, what is the easy
> way (hopefully) of doing it, any tricks, tips, etc???? I haven't
> checked with our suppliers in the group but I'm sure one of them
> has what I need.
> As always, your help is without measure!
> Jim in Iowa
> 91 Passat Wagon GL
> 89 Westy
> 66 Beetle
>
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