Window sweeps

[taki0187]

Hi all, anyone out there have any luck with window sweeps? I have a 1980 Trans Am with dry rotted sweeps not sure which company to go with. Many reviews people aren’t happy with the fitment of the replacements. I don’t know who to go with. Thanks in advance.

[b_hill_86]

Hopefully my info is stale and someone else has good info but unfortunately GM stopped producing them within the last few years and aftermarket are all that are available with poor figment across the board. I would like to replace mine as well and have been on the lookout but don’t recall finding any recommended

[81Blackbird]

http://www.transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=84363.msg12396#msg12396

See reply #3.  I had a tough time with the OER swipes.  I even tried putting in relief cuts.  Only option for me was to buy OEM swipes on e-bay.
Unless OER changed the curve over the door handle, you will not be happy with them.

[Wallington]

 Wasn't there another new manufacturer, Fairchild, or similar? I haven't had seals fitted in years so nothing to contribute.

[5th T/A]

It’s too bad the OEM part is no longer available. From what I am reading the aftermarket doesn’t fit. I am tempted to buy an ill fitting aftermarket and see if I can use the metal portion of my original.

Does anyone have photos of an OEM part next to the aftermarket?

[roadking77]

Everytime I read these threads makes me glad I bought 2 sets when they were still available from GM. Wish I had bought more now!
Larry, you may be on to something. The metal part is the base and what typically does not fit. If I recall the rubber is stapled and maybe glued on. I would do exactly what you say. Buy a new set, remove the rubber and install on the old hardware. I think I will try this with my 79 before I open one of the last 2 nos I have.

[taki0187]

It’s too bad the OEM part is no longer available. From what I am reading the aftermarket doesn’t fit. I am tempted to buy an ill fitting aftermarket and see if I can use the metal portion of my original.

Does anyone have photos of an OEM part next to the aftermarket?

That’s a great idea!

[nUcLeArEnVoY]

Not only do the aftermarket ones fit poorly, but a lot of prospective restorers end up garnering some degree of confusion over which cars came with which sweeps, and so they end up getting the wrong ones. Maybe a sticky should be made for it? I'll try to break it down.

The kind of window sweep your Firebird or Trans Am came with depends on what options it has. There were three kinds made:

Fully-blacked out sweeps with no chrome bead: These sweeps were only available on cars with the B85 chrome decor package, which implemented a SEPARATE very thick chrome applique along the top of the doors, a small piece to meet them on the top of the fenders, and across the entire hood. The reason the window sweeps were blacked out was because an integrated chrome bead was not necessary given the larger separate chrome applique that would come standard with the package they were used on. The B85 package was optional on all other trim levels sans Esprit, with which it was standard (and yes, that includes the Lady Birds).

Thin, round chrome bead window sweeps: These sweeps feature a small, round chrome bead around 1/8-1/10 thick and were only seen on Y cars (LEs, SEs, TATAs, Pace Cars, etc.) cars.

Flat chrome bead window sweeps: These sweeps were standard on any Firebird, Formula, or non-SE Trans Am model. They feature a flat chrome bead that is a little under a quarter inch in width. This is the kind that you'll see the most often.

If I'm inaccurate on anything, by all means let me know.

[b_hill_86]

I don’t think the flat vs round bead is accurate. My 77 non-SE T/A originally had the round chrome bear ones. I’ll look to see if I still have them but I think I pitched them as they were in really bad shape. I suppose it’s possible but I’d be surprised if someone put those on during the cars life

In fact, again I could be wrong, but I was always under the impression that the flat style was an aftermarket thing.

[Wallington]

I think Firebirds without the B85 decor always had the exterior round bead strips. Flat bead were the 70-79 Camaro strips. For some reason around 1980 Camaros switched to the round bead also. On a busy production line of both variants I can see how the occasional mix-up may happen.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fcd-kg2097?rrec=true

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fcd-kg2095

[silver78]

I just went through this azz pain. I tried OER replacements and they were crap stiff rubber and the metal attaching strip was not bent on the same arch as the door edge. All the complaints listed already.  For $48 I thought what the heck I'll try these from Summit:

Fairchild Industries Weatherstrip Seals KG2095
Part Number: FCD-KG2095

BINGO! These fit great, rubber sweep is soft and pliable, screw holes all lined up metal bend matches the door edge.  Summit had the cheapest price I could find couple months ago.

[silver78]

original dried out

[silver78]

posting pics is not fun here bear with me.....
Pic of Fairchild piece installed

[silver78]

original and Fairchild piece

[taki0187]

I just went through this azz pain. I tried OER replacements and they were crap stiff rubber and the metal attaching strip was not bent on the same arch as the door edge. All the complaints listed already.  For $48 I thought what the heck I'll try these from Summit:

Fairchild Industries Weatherstrip Seals KG2095
Part Number: FCD-KG2095

BINGO! These fit great, rubber sweep is soft and pliable, screw holes all lined up metal bend matches the door edge.  Summit had the cheapest price I could find couple months ago.

Thanks for the info! Much appreciated!

[5th T/A]

Silver78,

Thanks for taking the time to provide this VAULUABLE information along with photo's. The moldings you show are the same as what my 1980 TA came with. Funny I have ordered a lot of parts in the past from Summit and never would have thought they would stock these. Current price is 56.99, plus shipping and tax. In my mind a good deal.

Again, thanks for your help!

[Wallington]

Good photos. I'm surprised you left it so long to swap that they were dried out and cracking. I have a set of the plain (suit decor molds) strips by FC, somewhere.

[roadking77]

2022-09-25_11-21-35 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
2022-09-25_11-21-25 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

I bought a set of the Fairchild from Summit on the recommendation of Silver 78. They are darn near perfect. I compared them to the set of NOS (pictured in the bag above) and they matched spot on. They fit on the door perfect as well. I think they were something like $60 shipped to my door for the pair. Anyone needing a set of sweeps, these are the ones to go to.

[5th T/A]

I was super excited when silver78 came up with the suggestion of the Fairchild sweeps from Summit, so I ordered a set last week. Unfortunately, UPS was pretty rough on the handling. I was suspicious when I saw the box and took pictures before opening it up. Both moldings were bent and one the metal bead was bent. Other than the shipping damage it looks to be a quality part. The last photo showing damage is kind of blurry. I called Summit this morning and they have another set on the way.

IMG_0438 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

IMG_0439 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

IMG_0448 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

[b_hill_86]

That’s unfortunate they were bent but you guys are gonna push me to order myself a set now 

[roadking77]

That stinks Larry. Same packaging mine came in with no problems. Mine were also UPS.

[FormTA]

If they let you keep that set, let me know. I may be able use those on my Formula project. Just throwing it out there.

Should we move some of this info to the repop thread so it's easier to fund (also make the repop thred a sticky if it's not already)?

[Zach]

Curious if anyone knows if these would work on a 77 ta, not sure what build specs change fitment but im pretty sure my ta is chromed out, rats stole my build sheet unfortunately, need to hit phs soon.

Thanks.

[b_hill_86]

Curious if anyone knows if these would work on a 77 ta, not sure what build specs change fitment but im pretty sure my ta is chromed out, rats stole my build sheet unfortunately, need to hit phs soon.

Thanks.

Yep, they’d fit. Whether or not they’re correct is dependent upon whether or not your car came with chrome accents along the door. If no chrome strip, these are correct.

Also, PHS may or may not be worth its cost to you depending on what info you want/need and whether it will be legible is another concern. Just FYI.

[Zach]

Curious if anyone knows if these would work on a 77 ta, not sure what build specs change fitment but im pretty sure my ta is chromed out, rats stole my build sheet unfortunately, need to hit phs soon.

Thanks.

Yep, they’d fit. Whether or not they’re correct is dependent upon whether or not your car came with chrome accents along the door. If no chrome strip, these are correct.

Also, PHS may or may not be worth its cost to you depending on what info you want/need and whether it will be legible is another concern. Just FYI.

Hm alright, I do have chrome going around the door near the bottom of the windows if that is what you are referring to, could you point me in the direction for those correct sweeps if you know?

Also still debating on phs I've heard lots of complaints, still gotta check some areas. Behind the back seats was shredded, nothing on gas tank.

Appreciate the response nonetheless.

Small edit: I believe I have the no decor option, there is a small bead of chrome along the bottom of the windows that differs from the chrome plating around the rest of the windows. Slightly confused as to which sweep I need.

[b_hill_86]

Can you snap and post a picture? If you have chrome attached to the door itself just below the window you should get a sweep that is plain, with no chrome bead.

I have them on my car (though they’re wrong as I have no other decor option on the door) but I can post a pic of them when I’m home. I don’t have any handy

[Wallington]

Posted this earlier. 70-81 Firebirds only came with 2 options, both of which had a bright strip of some sort. Either the small bead on the outer seal itself, or no bead on the seal as larger 'chrome' strips on the door tops that wrap around the rear of the hood/fenders.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fcd-kg2097?rrec=true

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fcd-kg2095

[Zach]

Can you snap and post a picture? If you have chrome attached to the door itself just below the window you should get a sweep that is plain, with no chrome bead.

I have them on my car (though they’re wrong as I have no other decor option on the door) but I can post a pic of them when I’m home. I don’t have any handy

Took some photos hopefully they captured what you need, just gotta figure out how to add pictures.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/196577545@N05/52390783238
https://www.flickr.com/photos/196577545@N05/52390540346
https://www.flickr.com/photos/196577545@N05/52390783188

Edit: Seems I do not know how to embed pictures into a post, lemme know how and I can fix this.

[b_hill_86]

You have the sweep with the chrome bead attached to it, not the plain sweep that would be paired with a door which has the chrome attached to the door itself. The Fairchild brand sweeps posted above would be the proper replacements.

[5th T/A]

I received my second set of Fairchild belt weather strip/sweeps from Summit this afternoon. These arrived intact without shipping damage. I installed the driver's side and I am happy with the fit and look. The only issue is I had to slightly twist the metal bead at the rear (near the door handle) slightly, so it did not rub against the outer door skin. After hearing the negative response about the OER part I would not hesitate to recommend the Fairchild part. I am also pleased with how quickly Summmit made good on the original part that was damaged in shipment.

The top sweep is the Fairchild from Summit, the lower is of the original. I had to twist the end of the metal bead on the Fairchild, so it did not rub against the paint on the outer door skin. Basically, bent it the same as the original part.

IMG_0461 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr

[Updated71]

I have a set on the way in plain for my Formula which has the large chrome molding along the hood, fenders and door. To put the sweep on, I'm guessing the chrome has to be removed.

Is anyone familiar on how to do this?

[Wallington]

No, drop the window bump stop so it has access to top of door inner once door trim off. Chrome trim on outside don't matter.

[Updated71]

No, drop the window bump stop so it has access to top of door inner once door trim off. Chrome trim on outside don't matter.

Perfect!  Thank you.  I didn't want to try and delicately pull that off without damaging it and am glad to hear I don't have to.

[roadking77]

Wally is correct. The chrome piece is completely independent of the sweep. IF you ever need to take it off I am fairly certain that it slides to come off. DO NOT try to PULL it off!  There are little pins attached to the body, they look like a small headed nail. The trim has a U shaped slot that slides over the pins. Its been awhile since I took one off, I cannot remember if they slide front or back.

[Updated71]

Thanks for the reply. 

My box was creased too. Haven’t had a chance to open it. Hopefully the non bead version will be ok.

[DeVilliers]

I also used Fairchild sweeps. Both inner and outer sweeps. I'm very happy with them.

Ordered mine via RockAuto and shipped out all the way to South Africa without being bent

[Updated71]

posting pics is not fun here bear with me.....
Pic of Fairchild piece installed

It appears as though the 'outer' end of the rubber should drape over the door. Yours looks finished and nice all the way down.

My car has the heavy chrome metal all around the top of the door (and hood for that matter). The old pieces that came were wavy and distorted all the way down. I was assuming that the smaller rubber side would still need to go over the door and the heavy metal trim would go over it sort of sandwhiching it on.

It doesn't appear long enough to that. Should it just touch this metal without going under? I'm also missing at least two of the clips that hold that heavy trim on so now I'll have to source those as well. 

[TA301]

The one pictured here is the worst aftermarket example. They were widely available back in the late 90s to early 2000s I was able to buy a set of NOS from a Chevrolet dealership in Fort Worth, 17 years ago. They will replace the one pictured, soon.

[nUcLeArEnVoY]

The one pictured here is the worst aftermarket example. They were widely available back in the late 90s to early 2000s I was able to buy a set of NOS from a Chevrolet dealership in Fort Worth, 17 years ago. They will replace the one pictured, soon.

My '79 is an older resto and those are the kind that are on it now. I wouldn't replace them unless you plan on doing a lot of touch-up, since the metal trim probably chipped away the paint where it meets the door skin, which will show once you put on the proper Fairchild pieces. That's the case with mine.

I'll eventually purchase a set of the Fairchild ones to have for when I'm ready to repaint my car, but for now I'm keeping these flat-bead ones on, even if they're incorrect (flat beads are correct for Camaros).

[sreta]

Just received Fairchild window sweeps. The curve on the inner sweeps is not correct and I was a little bit disappointed at first. Then I realized that the original is not better at all. They are almost the same. I'm making my own door panels and will fix that. I'm gonna use old upper plastic portions which were broken in hundred pieces. They definitely need to pay more attention on packing cause the box was also damaged, but luckily the sweeps survived. I'll check the outers later.

Fairchild compared with old factory sweep