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Help! Installing Rubber on Header rail

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Sledgehammer

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I've tried several times to get a new rubber gasket installed on my header rail for my new canvas top. What's the secret? I used a small putty knife to carefully sqeeze both locking edges into the groove but it won't hold. As soon as I try to get the top clamped to the windshield, I see it's already working it way out, AGAIN! Arggh! The front edge is almost impossible to get to due to the front overlap of the roof edge. Got any tips??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif
 
FIRST: How is the rail attached to the header? If it's with *anything* other than pop-rivets or flat countersunk screws, you have a problem... that said, if you start by putting the front edge in the slot and working with a popsicle stick or tongue depressor (wood is better than metal for this job) and push the rear lip into the channel, it ~should~ stay put.

HTH.
 
After putting the rubber weatherseal in the retainer while the top's down, does it start squishing out of the retainer when you latch the header to the windshield? If so, adjust your top latches so they're not so tight.
 
I had to pinch the NEW retainer channel on the edges of mine to keep it in (after it was there)... I almost wish it had been rolled the other way!

I vaselined mine to get it in. Slid it in from one side to the other. It took about 2 hours of very small movements, and careful readjusting and it still kept wanting to come loose at the edges. Next time, I'll use some water based lube, maybe ky?
 
The rail is pop riveted on like it was before. I just seem to be having a really hard time getting the rubber in the slot on the front side where you can't get to it. I didn't know you could adjust the latches but I never really got that far anyway. The rubber comes back out too easily just from being handled. I've been using a 1 inch wide putty knife that seems to work well putting the edge in but even though I was trying hard to tilt the rubber so that the front edge went in first, I'd find that it either didn't go in at all or came out.
 
Try lubing it up with LOTS of soap and water (or KY?)... and spray the chanel with water alot while doing it. Then start at one side, and slide it into the chanel, carefully observing the ends. If it starts to get loose, you can press it back in with your fingers.

Once you get it there, put the top up, and leave it clamped in that position for at least a month - That will help it mold itself from being rolled into the coil the sent it to you as.

Then when you open the top the first few times, pay close attention to the edges. If they still keep wanting to pull loose, You might need to glue them, or do like I did and crimp the edges of the chanel onto the rubber.
 
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