Rear hatch weatherstrip replacement

[Sgreg]

I seem to recall someone on the Registry recently replaced their rear hatch weatherstrip. I am considering doing the work myself if it isn't too complicated. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Jeffvette]

Greg, it's fairly simple.

Open the hatch. Get a broomstick or long piece of 2x4 to prop the hatch open. Take a flat blade screw driver and pull the tang out of the hatch strut on both ends.

Pull the hatch surround trim off and then you are free to start pulling the weatherstrip off. It has a tacky paste holding it in place, and can create a mess.

When installing the new piece, I recomend starting at one of the corners and working around from there. Also make sure the rubber is warm and pliable.

[Sgreg]

Thanks, Jeff. :thumbsup: Is the old sticky stuff enough to restick the new weathershrip or do I need an adhesive ?

[Jeffvette]

The new weatherstrip will have it in the groove already. You can wipe the excess of the carr with a paper towel.

[Hammer]

Greg,

I replaced mine last year with an aftermarket piece from this guy. It was a 1/4 of the GM piece and it worked very well and was pretty easy to install. Thought I would take a chance and try it for the price. There were a couple guys at the PNW Gathering that were considering replacing theirs also but I don't know if they did or not.

http://www.tld-corvette.com/products.asp?dept=918

[Sgreg]

Thanks, guys. I am ready to tackle it. Got to be easier than a plenum pull !!

[Hammer]

Thanks, guys. I am ready to tackle it. Got to be easier than a plenum pull !!

I would think, although I haven't been initiated yet.

[evl_twn]

I replaced mine last year, it was very simple. I removed the rear trim pieces, and did as Jeff suggested by supporting the hatch while disconnecting the struts. Once the one piece weatherstrip is over the struts, you can hook them back up, then just slip the new weatherstrip into place. I ended up getting a GM part at Funfest last year to get the discount, I've heard mixed reviews on aftermarket weatherstrips. I suppose it depends on who the manufacturer is?

[4DSZR1]

Greg,

I replaced mine last year with an aftermarket piece from this guy. It was a 1/4 of the GM piece and it worked very well and was pretty easy to install. Thought I would take a chance and try it for the price. There were a couple guys at the PNW Gathering that were considering replacing theirs also but I don't know if they did or not.

http://www.tld-corvette.com/products.asp?dept=918


I was one of the guys... I will say that John's came out fantastic, and this is on my to-do list for sure. I Did the brake flush last week and hooked up a new Battery Tender last night, so I'm getting down the list.

[Sgreg]

Rear hatch weatherstrip in, no problem doing it with the good advice here. If you think your weatherstrip is great, you won't believe how high the a new one sits. Takes a serious effort to close the hatch. The seal is great. No more high pressure leaks. :)

[Jeffvette]

:thumbsup:

[Hammer]

Here is the Ebay seller I bought mine from. Great price and great product.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CORVETTE-HATCH-WEATHERSTRIP-84-89-90-96_W0QQitemZ190192047048QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item19 0192047048

[tomtom72]

John, did you just buy the hatch strip, or did you buy any other w/stripping from this source? I'm asking as I'm collecting all of it ....a piece at a time. The GM stuff is pricey! I'm figuring to start on the halo bar strip and the roof panel side strips next. I was just wondering if the hatch was all ya got from this source.

Just curious for opinions on other sources besides GM. Thanks for your time!:thumbsup:

:cheers:
Tom

[Hammer]

John, did you just buy the hatch strip, or did you buy any other w/stripping from this source? I'm asking as I'm collecting all of it ....a piece at a time. The GM stuff is pricey! I'm figuring to start on the halo bar strip and the roof panel side strips next. I was just wondering if the hatch was all ya got from this source.

Just curious for opinions on other sources besides GM. Thanks for your time!:thumbsup:

:cheers:
Tom

I just got the hatch strip from this source. The rear hatch was easy to install, so I thought I would take a chance on that at 1/4 of the cost. It fit perfect and the sides are reinforced so it won't split like the original one did. I thought maybe the GM one would do this too. He has a website also. http://www.tld-corvette.com/ Nice guy, I talked with him, he just dabbles on EBay with the Vette stuff.

When I had my windshield installed, I went with GM weatherstrip for that. The installer said he had problems with aftermarket weatherstrip, not Corvette stuff, but I didn't want to take a chance on having to do that job again because the fit wasn't right.

If you are R & R'ing the weatherstrip yourself, I would look at the cost of the GM stuff compared with the aftermarket and buy accordingly.

Hope this helps, PM me or post here if I can help anymore.

[tomtom72]

Oh yea those guys at TLD are always very helpful to me....them and Marko @ P & G in PA......most of my ZR-1 budget that isn't for gas goes to those two places:sign10:

I think that all the reading I've done indicates that even thou the GM stuff is pricey, it seems the safe way to go. I guess I'll just continue buying a strip at a time till I have it all.

Thanks John!:thumbsup:

[Jeffvette]

Tom, I will second/third and fourth the notion of using GM pieces. I hae installed several of the aftermarket kits, and I have not been satisfied with them in one aspect or another. It might be the push pins are not in the right space, M stuff comes out right and fits great.

Rear hatch, 09768068, price has gone up on it.
Dealer Price $154.71
List Price $262.22
Trade Price $196.67

[zr1nsxgto]

I thought the GM rear weatherstrip was discontinued??????? Are these still available, and who has them??

[tomtom72]

I thought the GM rear weatherstrip was discontinued??????? Are these still available, and who has them??

Our weatherstrips are common C4 stuff. Yes they are still available to the best of my knowledge. I would think any chevy dealer might order them for you. I use partszoneonline.com....that's P & G Chevy in Slovina, PA but I would think that any of the large on-line chevy stores would help you out.

:cheers:
Tom

[Jeffvette]

I thought the GM rear weatherstrip was discontinued??????? Are these still available, and who has them??

I posted the info right above you.

BTW, welcome to the forum.

[zr1nsxgto]

Thanks Jeffvette. I did see your post above mine, but I have tried in the past to get the GM one and had been told that they were no longer available. Maybe I had the wrong part#. I'll try again tomorrow to call my connection at the Generals parts counter and see what I can get if for.

BTW. I've been around the ZR-1 community since I bought my 90 back in 96, I just don't post much. I've got #644 Red/Red currently with 7100 miles on it. Thanks for the welcome anyway though.:)

[Jeffvette]

Thanks Jeffvette. I did see your post above mine, but I have tried in the past to get the GM one and had been told that they were no longer available. Maybe I had the wrong part#. I'll try again tomorrow to call my connection at the Generals parts counter and see what I can get if for.

BTW. I've been around the ZR-1 community since I bought my 90 back in 96, I just don't post much. I've got #644 Red/Red currently with 7100 miles on it. Thanks for the welcome anyway though.:)


254 on hand at GM's part facility in Flint Michigan