Door closure issues after seal replacement

[-VB-]

Hello all,

Today I replaced the weather seal for the passenger side door of my 1993 F-150, and while everything fit really well going together, the door is now very difficult to close. I can get the first latch by closing it normally, but getting it to latch fully requires giving it a firm CPR thrust from the outside. Will this break in or is there something I can do to help it? Or did I buy a bum part?

The weather strip is a Fairchild product p/n F3019 and came from Rock Auto:
Fairchild Door Seal / Weather Strip

Thanks!

 

[Fellro]

It will compress in time. If the body lines are flush, it is adjusted proper. Also need to be sure the plastic on the door latch pin is in good shape. If it is worn, it can cause it to be harder to latch as well.

 

[-VB-]

It will compress in time. If the body lines are flush, it is adjusted proper. Also need to be sure the plastic on the door latch pin is in good shape. If it is worn, it can cause it to be harder to latch as well.

Thanks for the reply. The body lines are just right, so I wanted to avoid latch adjustment. The plastic bushing is intact. I will bide my time. Holding off on the drivers side, I don't really want to be stuck not being able to close that door from the inside...

 

[Beach66Bum]

Hmmm, I have found going with the cheapest brand from Rock Auto not the way to go. Doors should close nice and not requiring any force. I would try to find stock OEM weatherstripping. eBay is a good place to find NOS parts.
Final note
Dennis Carpenter is a very good company for parts.

 

[-VB-]

Hmmm, I have found going with the cheapest brand from Rock Auto not the way to go. Doors should close nice and not requiring any force. I would try to find stock OEM weatherstripping. eBay is a good place to find NOS parts.
Final note
Dennis Carpenter is a very good company for parts.

Thanks for your reply. Yeah, the Fairchild brand seemed highly regarded, but...

I had not thought of eBay for this. I've found interior trim pieces and hardware and other niche items but didn't think of trying to track down OEM that way.

In the meantime I have already ordered a set from Dennis Carpenter! He seems to be the gold standard. When they arrive I'll try one out on the drivers side and report back. In the mean time we'll see if this other stuff relaxes...

 

[-VB-]

The Dennis Carpenter seals arrived today. I won't have time to deal with them before going out of town tomorrow, but by the time I get back the Fairchild seal on the passenger side will have been in place for about 3 weeks and I'll know what I'm dealing with there. I've been hitting it with the Armor All a couple times a day but at this time I still have to either slam the bajeebus out of it or give it CPR to get it closed. And there is still substantial wind noise over there which just adds to the frustration...

For any who may be interested, here they are side by side (Fairchild on top, DC on bottom):

 

[Fellro]

Cosmetically the Dennis Carpenter is definitely more accurate.

 

[-VB-]

Cosmetically the Dennis Carpenter is definitely more accurate.

Agreed. The original that I pulled was already gone or I'd have included it in the pictures. When I get the other pulled if I remember I'll get a picture of it in here for posterity. There isn't a huge difference in the feel of the rubber seal, but the difference in the molding that mounts on the pinch weld is night and day. The Fairchild part is like trying to fold a tire while the DC is very pliable, dare I say supple? I suspect the biggest part of any difference in fit will come from that molding.

 

[Beach66Bum]

From what I see in your pics, a big difference! Even the closed cell foam looks different!

 

[-VB-]

So after almost a month, the door still had to be beaten into submission. I replaced the seal today with the Dennis Carpenter part and it closes perfectly. So, for my part, I say save yourself the time, money and headache and go straight to DC for door seals...

The bulk of the wind noise has been knocked down, but there is still a whistle above 45mph or so. I'm starting to suspect door alignment for that. There is a bit of sag in the hinges and in closer inspection the leading edge of the upper door (the window frame) sits a bit proud. Another project for another day.

I haven't done the drivers side door seal yet, but when I do I'll follow it up with a picture of the factory seal for comparison with the others.

 

[-VB-]

I replaced the drivers side seal today. The factory seal was pretty ratty but here is a picture:


Surprisingly, the factory seal looked more like the Fairchild part, but the proof is in the pudding: the DC part fits better and doesn't hinder the door closing. I'm calling it a win and washing my hands of door seals

 

[Beach66Bum]

I replaced the drivers side seal today. The factory seal was pretty ratty but here is a picture:
View attachment 36263
View attachment 36264
Surprisingly, the factory seal looked more like the Fairchild part, but the proof is in the pudding: the DC part fits better and doesn't hinder the door closing. I'm calling it a win and washing my hands of door seals

Great to hear! So many times issues are resolved with high end quality parts or factory original.