Door window molding/felts

[5th T/A]

Good morning,

On my 1980 TA the driver's door window OUTER felt is deteriorating. From my research it looks like OE is no longer available. If I could find a NOS part the rubber would likely be 40 years old anyway. I found a set of inner and outer from NPD and price is reasonable. Does anyone have experience with these, good or bad from any vendor? What would you recommend?

My molding/ felt outer drivers door.

IMG_0065 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr



This is what I am thinking of purchasing from NPD

IMG_0067 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

[81Blackbird]

http://www.transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=84363.msg11120#msg11120

See reply #2.  I didn't have any luck back in 2015 or so.  I was able to get NOS replacements.

[roadking77]

Larry, have you tried GM parts direct. I got my last 2 sets from there. The originals are still very nice, no deterioration. I think this is one of those products that the repro just doesnt fit as nice as original. On a long shot, IF you have a gm dealer in the area they may have something of left over stock!! I bought a set from Ames when I was doing my 77 and it still had the dealer sticker from the local Pontiac/Cadillac dealer that I assume Ames bought it from.

[sreta]

Does anyone have the experience with Fairchild industries window felts?

[5th T/A]

Thanks all for the suggestions, unfortunately every place I have looked says the part is no longer available. GM parts direct web site only goes back to 1982 or 1984, I think it has something to do with the 13-digit VIN numbers on earlier cars. Fortunately, I was able to come up with the GM part number. It's possible I can repair the original molding, where the rubber has separated is actually out of view. I may try purchasing the Fairchild molding. In the grand scheme of things, this is not a big deal.

[roadking77]

As far as repairing.....From what I have seen the repro stuff doesnt have the same contour to fit the end of the doors. I cant remember as its been awhile since I have looked at what I have but my guess is the rubber is stapled to the metal channel that screws to the door. Perhaps you can salvage the original piece, get a new repro set and graft the new weather strip? Just a thought.

I kinda feel bad as a hoarder as I know I have 2 brand new NOS sets in the garage but one is for my 79 and I  bought another as a spare for future use. Had I known (20/20 hindsight) they would be unavailable I would have bought more! Got mine from GM parts direct a couple of years ago.