[Putt]

The hatch on PUTT has been making noise for some time now so I did one of my old truck mods on the seal and it has stopped all the squeaking a banging noises from the hatch. It is a easy, kind of, fix for all hollow seals that just don't seem to do the job. Go to a home improvement center and get what is called "backer rod" or sometimes "caulking rope". Take the seal off the body pinch weld, tape up the vent holes on the seal with tape (you might have to clean the seal with something to get the tape to stick), use either air to push or a vaccuum to pull a string through the length of the seal, tie the backer rod to the string and pull the rod back through the seal, reinstall the seal, close hatch/door firmly.

Helpful hints: You may need to enlist the help of some kind soul to either blow air, or use the vaccuum to apply suction to the end of the seal as you pull the backer rod through. Leave the rod a bit long so you can make it jump the gap in the ends where the seal ends met.


Click on the picture for a bigger view.

PUTT

 

[Colleen]

:hi: Putt

Very smart !! :thumb:

 

[jonas1022]

Ah! Good idea!

 

[08HybridOK]

On this note, isn't it still a good idea to rub all the rubber with silicone like my daddy taught me, or that old school now? (keeps the seals fresh, and helps to keep doors drom freezing shut)

 

[Squishy]

I still rub them with silicone at every oil change.

 

[jonas1022]

On this note, isn't it still a good idea to rub all the rubber with silicone like my daddy taught me, or that old school now? (keeps the seals fresh, and helps to keep doors drom freezing shut)

Still smart. The Mazda service dept does our Tribute when I have taken it in. Right after washing it by hand. :woohoo:

As for the Bullitt, F-150 and PT Cruiser they are on their own. I am not sure the F-150 ever has had the door gaskets rubbed with silcon come to think about it. :doh:

 

[Colleen]

On this note, isn't it still a good idea to rub all the rubber with silicone like my daddy taught me, or that old school now? (keeps the seals fresh, and helps to keep doors drom freezing shut)

I still rub them with silicone at every oil change.

Hmmm, I will have to tell hubby about this. Thanks for the tip, y'all !!

 

[Putt]

The silicon is still a good idea. Not so good to use the oil left after the oil change. :hyst:

This mod is to stop the rattles and bangs as well as the squeeks. Now I need to go silicon the seal, thanks for reminding me.

PUTT

 

[sammysam]

how would you silicone the seals?

 

[Squishy]

I spray silicone spray lubricant on the seals, let it set for a few minutes, then wipe it down with a clean cloth.

 

[tok]

I just used this idea to seal up the rear hatch seal on my escape. It worked perfectly!!
I used a lttle black silicone sealant to hold it all in place.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[Putt]

Good deal glad it helped you.

Thanks for the confirmation of the process.

PUTT

 

[Walkingchaos]

just tried this myself. My biggest problem was to get the string through the whole thing to start. I ended up tying a string to a bolt and working it down through the rubber gasket, tying it to the rope caulking stuff and then pulling it back through. I found i had to put one end of the gasket in a vice and pull it into a strait line before i could pull the cauling through. Adding a little grease or silicone will help it slide through.

 

[fotojack]

On the subject of applying silicon to the door seals.....I use food grade silicon spray used on neoprene scuba suits. Contains no petroleum products to degrade the rubber, and lasts a long, long time. Just thought I'd mention that.

 

[fotojack]

Go to a home improvement center and get what is called "backer rod" or sometimes "caulking rope". ......

Click on the picture for a bigger view.

PUTT

The backer rod Putt is referring to is the 3/8" kind. Fits perfectly and works great. Thanks, Putt.