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Thread: New Door Seals Come Preshrunk!!

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Connecticut
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    446

    Default New Door Seals Come Preshrunk!!

    Just finished installing a new drivers door body gasket. The one thats rubber on one side & matches the interior on the other. Started on the bottom rear & by the time I got to the lower front section it was obvious it wasn't going to fit. Ended up cutting it at the seam, bottom center, which left a 1.5" gap after all corners were snug. I'll fill it with a piece from the old one but it would seem that if you can find a matching used one in a junkyard to cut up you're better off going that route.

    Maybe my parchment interior is not all that common & this seal has been on the shelf for 10 years but it's something to think about before spending $70 on a new one.
    90 535im
    02 R1100S, 87 R100S
    76 R90/S,73 R75/5
    Alfa Romeos- 65 Giulia Spider Veloce
    & 66 Duetto 1600 Spider

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Eastern Tennessee USi
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    Default

    Mine from BMA was not shrunk and I used the old one as a spacer for all the rest. If you cut it at the bottom it dont even need to match.

    Quote Originally Posted by John B.
    Just finished installing a new drivers door body gasket. The one thats rubber on one side & matches the interior on the other. Started on the bottom rear & by the time I got to the lower front section it was obvious it wasn't going to fit. Ended up cutting it at the seam, bottom center, which left a 1.5" gap after all corners were snug. I'll fill it with a piece from the old one but it would seem that if you can find a matching used one in a junkyard to cut up you're better off going that route.

    Maybe my parchment interior is not all that common & this seal has been on the shelf for 10 years but it's something to think about before spending $70 on a new one.
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Connecticut
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 632 Regal
    Mine from BMA was not shrunk and I used the old one as a spacer for all the rest. If you cut it at the bottom it dont even need to match.
    Mine came from BMA also & had to be ordered from Germany so I'm guessing they don't sell too many Parchment colored door seals. Installing new front door gaskets is not something I'd want to do everyday. Getting it to fit the upper rear corner & front near the dash is a real PITA.
    90 535im
    02 R1100S, 87 R100S
    76 R90/S,73 R75/5
    Alfa Romeos- 65 Giulia Spider Veloce
    & 66 Duetto 1600 Spider

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Eastern Tennessee USi
    Posts
    14,843

    Default

    mine was parchment, maybe I got the new one and you got some old one...lol
    Quote Originally Posted by John B.
    Mine came from BMA also & had to be ordered from Germany so I'm guessing they don't sell too many Parchment colored door seals. Installing new front door gaskets is not something I'd want to do everyday. Getting it to fit the upper rear corner & front near the dash is a real PITA.
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    central coast nsw au
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    Default

    thanks lads, its something im looking at the moment, my driver side is stuffed.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
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    hey Matty you can cut the seal on the bottom under the cover and spread it to fit and then just screw it back down and it should work. Fast and free.
    Quote Originally Posted by mattyb
    thanks lads, its something im looking at the moment, my driver side is stuffed.
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    593

    Default

    you mean the seal will not meet under the bottom undercover? won't that make more noise?
    1994 520i with M50 engine, manual transmission and air conditioner.
    VIN: GG45422

  8. #8
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    Feb 2004
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    Connecticut
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 632 Regal
    hey Matty you can cut the seal on the bottom under the cover and spread it to fit and then just screw it back down and it should work. Fast and free.
    Since the plastic cover only goes over the interior part of the seal this will leave a gaping hole in the exterior rubber seal. Ideally you would cut a section out of an old gasket to fill the gap adding some black sealant to the ends of the rubber portion to hide the cuts.
    90 535im
    02 R1100S, 87 R100S
    76 R90/S,73 R75/5
    Alfa Romeos- 65 Giulia Spider Veloce
    & 66 Duetto 1600 Spider

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    Location
    Lexington, Kentucky
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    Default

    Do a search. Shogun did a very nice writeup onhow to cut out a section of door gasket and using thin rubber to replace. I think it was on this board.
    Thanks,

    1995 525i Auto, M50TU 2.5L, EAT chip, 1/95 build, USA, 205/65/15 tires, ASC+T, HID, lumbar, EC Mirror, BMW Alpine 5 radio with BMW-Pioneer CD Changer, abt 236k miles, Oxford Green/Parchment

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