Door Alignment and Wind Noise on my 88 Silverado

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sewlow

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The door seals are hollow. They can collapse over time & don't seal properly.
I took some 5/32" polyester piping (welt) cord (Cheap from an upholstery shop. I buy 500yard rolls of the stuff. Pennies per yard.) and shoved down into the length of the hollow. Wrapped some tape around the ends to increase the diameter of the cord so it wouldn't come out. Then cut flush to the ends of the seal. That cut down a lot of the wind noise. Just have to close the door a bit harder.
 

TheAutumnWind

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The door seals are hollow. They can collapse over time & don't seal properly.
I took some 5/32" polyester piping (welt) cord (Cheap from an upholstery shop. I buy 500yard rolls of the stuff. Pennies per yard.) and shoved down into the length of the hollow. Wrapped some tape around the ends to increase the diameter of the cord so it wouldn't come out. Then cut flush to the ends of the seal. That cut down a lot of the wind noise. Just have to close the door a bit harder.
You think this is a better option than replacing the seals completely? Sounds like more work than swapping seals
 

PlayingWithTBI

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I received a PM with a similar solution using "backer rod" which is a foam extrusion (like miniature pool noodles) used in construction to fill in gaps before caulking. I just bought a 10' roll of flat self adhesive weatherstripping for ~$11, oh well, I'll be the Guinea Pig and try that 1st, then probably go buy some welt cord or pool noodles. The only issue is, living out here in BFE, I have to drive at least 40 miles one way to get to an upholstery shop, ha ha. Maybe I can order some from Amazon?
 

Armalite15

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Joining this thread way late but I have a 1996 K1500 that I’ve got new door pins and bushings as well as a new set of door opening gaskets from LMC for. I’ve done this on a couple of trucks so far and it always cuts down on noise significantly as well as making the truck feel a lot tighter.
 

PlayingWithTBI

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Thanks, sounds like another solution.

BTW - I have to ask, your name "Armalite15", does that have anything to do with a weapon? I ask because I have an Armalite AR-18A with a 2X flip down scope. When the US was looking to replace the old M-14 (or was it the M-1?) it came down to the AR-18A and the Colt M-16. They both shot the NATO round 5.56X45 (.223) but the Armalite has a collapsing stock with the action springs in the forearm. IMO was a better weapon but, it was made in England. Same thing with the Beretta 92FS, the US Military agreed to adopt it IF Beretta agreed to manufacture them in the US. I have a (5 digit SN) 92FS stainless made in Italy - a lot tighter than the US made, unfortunately.

Enough waxing eloquently - I just finished my Friday night New York and a 1/2 (more or less) bottle of Merlot, LOL.
 

alpinecrick

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TBI,
Wind noise aside, if you have slop in your door it's time to replace the pins and bushings before the holes in the hinges become wallowed out.

I have never seen a door "high" before, somebody had to be messing with it or it is a repair from a wreck. I like the idea of caulking foam to "refresh" the weather seal though, gotta remember that.

The American made M92 Beretta is intentionally sloppy--they work better under field conditions when dirty. The Practical Pistol shooters found this out when they began modifying the M1911 and tightening up tolerances 40 years ago to make them more accurate. Didn't take much carbon buildup to create a malfunction in those "race pistols"........it's true with any auto/semi auto firearm--the tighter the tolerances the cleaner they need to be in order to function.
 

sewlow

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Looks like enough here to do several trucks. Thanks @sewlow for the idea. Might try this on mine.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/19-yds-5-3...758671&hash=item41b2acb689:g:XdIAAOxyq5NRCb4n

That one you posted is for furniture & is woven so that it flexes.
This one is for auto upholstery is a solid one piece that is much firmer in order to hold the shape better.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Poly-Flex-F...Lv5PairwiseWeb&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851


Wasn't thinking about furniture stuff when I posted.
I'm an auto interior guy & I don't think much about furniture. Although, I have done a fair amount. I just prefer not to think about it!
I do have a roll of that woven stuff around here. Somewhere. Have to look. Might take a day or two. ...or it might take a month.
 
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