Well, things are somewhat halted until we can get wither a good profile picture and dimensions, or a sample. Anyone?

If someone can tell me how to get one of the top side hood seals off, I'll get an image and measurements sorted. Took a screw out, but it didn't seem to want to come off.

ok. i will try to remove... but, when weather will be ok.

Still looking for pictures or samples.

Have figured out how they come off: need to part fold the hood, undo a screw and slide the rubber off. Will have a go in the morning.

well done HP we keep fingers crossed for you

:yeahthat:

Right. On mine the rear and top parts of the hood seals are made from the same section rubber. The front side part is the same section, but has a bulbous rubber end to it which sits in the top of the windscreen surround - open the hood, you'll see what I mean.

Anyway, the dimensions of the rubbers in mm:

A: 27
B: 15
C: 10
D: 3
E: 14
F: 3
G: 3
H: 13
I: 14
J: 10
K: 3
L: 1
M: 7
N: 2
O: 7
P: 3
Q: 10
R: 6
S: 13
T: 2
U: 21
V: 1
W: 9
X: 2
Y: 2
Z: 3
AA: 9
AB: 23

You can see which parts are hard rubber and which are sponge. If there's any dimensions I've missed, let me know and I'll try to get it amended.

The curved part on the left is hollow, but there is a plug/face glued into the ends. This is one complex moulding!

Thanks for posting your research.

No problem

I'd bet you could vastly simplify the design and still have it work just fine. The people to ask would be the suppliers in one of my links on the first page, they look to have a lot of experience in automotive rubbers.

I've already sent to picture way to the manufacturer. He said it's an extremely intricate design, so he needs to ask the extrusion guy before continuing.

any chance of pics of rubbers from other convertibles? myabe we ca integrate a deign...?

If they are able to create a copy, wouldn't they need a NEW SEAL to copy. I can't quite see what good measuring an old used rubber would have. Or am I missing something?

Funkstar De Luxe said:

I've already sent to picture way to the manufacturer. He said it's an extremely intricate design, so he needs to ask the extrusion guy before continuing.

Click to expand...

I'd bet you could simplify it a lot and it would work just as well.

stu4art said:

If they are able to create a copy, wouldn't they need a NEW SEAL to copy. I can't quite see what good measuring an old used rubber would have. Or am I missing something?

Click to expand...

Fair point, only thing I can offer is that the seal does look to be in good nick and seals well against the glass.

stu4art said:

If they are able to create a copy, wouldn't they need a NEW SEAL to copy. I can't quite see what good measuring an old used rubber would have. Or am I missing something?

Click to expand...

Not really. The original shape is still easily discernible form a slightly worn rubber. I wouldn't send one which had been destroyed, but worn is ok.

Got an email back from the manufacturer today - bad news. It's much too complex to reproduce. Shame. So looks like FIAT will be the only option.

damn. ok.
we all have rubber there, right. so we need some additional rubber that will give protection for leaking.

1. red is glass
2. black is that additional rubber profile.

first picture shows that window goes inside of rubber when you up/down windows.
second picture shows when you close door and window press that rubber.

I agree this is becoming a little ridiculous. The more I see the FIAT design, the more over engineered and complex it looks.

I know two things, it is extremely difficult to re-manufacture the original FIAT design. Secondly, there must be some underlying reason for the rubbers to have been designed in such a manor. I have a feeling if we replace the original rubbers with a different design we'll run into some problems (maybe not instantly, but certainly in the long term),.

What we really should spend out time doing is thinking of ways to recondition out original rubbers, and finding an exact method to adjust the windows precisely.

agree... i have a hole in driver's rubber so small cat can go through. for now i will try method i mention in post before. also, if order new rubbers (old, or aftermarket) there is no proof that they will stop leaking 100%. few reasons like doors are not closed perfectly (1-2mm), whole hood mechanism is twisted during years of opening and closing and other reasons i can't remember right now...

maybe we are looking at this from a wrong angle, maybe the solution is in the roof, i ve noticed that some of the other convertibles the window almost goes into the hood, or the hood has wee flaps that kinda cover the top edge of the window...

About the rubbers i have no idea of how they are made but maybe if we can get an artist to make a mold of an original one then use liquid rubber and set it in there?