Yk i did this quick fix, Do i feel more confident in a slight increase of weather protection, yes, Does it work 100%, no I believe that the design of these doors just were not fully prepared to deal with rain 20+ years down the road, It’s wet out right now, i plan on going in, with some caulk to fill any weak spots i have where water may flow, And making my own trough with the caulking to direct the watering that does make it to the bottom of the doors, and sealing the outer edge of the OE trim piece, Hopefully i have luck, and if i remember to, I’ll come back and tell you guys all about it, Thanks for this tip and your other videos, it’s good to see more content being created in detail for this community, i appreciate you,
Many other vids show where a lot of water can enter can enter at the bottom between the weatherstrip ends. You need to caulk (silicone) under and around that piece. One vid recommends drilling small drain holes at both ends of that part. I think that's the problem with my 'dutch doors', gotta look at it this weekend. My 03's weatherstrip seems good. Experience with other cars has taught me how to check weatherstrip sealing. Normally a close look will show a clean spot where water enters, usually it will look dirty/ dusty with a clear line where the seal is made. You can dust the seal with baby powder or something like that, then close the door very slowly to not disturb it. If the latching is tight 'bump' the door closed to latch it. Now do the water-hose test and you'll clearly see where the powder has washed away if you have a leak. Sometimes for small leaks you can find a way to shim the weatherstrip tighter as long as it's in good shape. Factory weatherstripping (when available) usually works best, as some aftermarket stuff is a compromise design intended to fit as many vehicles as possible instead of fitting what you've got perfectly. If you have a small tear in the weatherstripping you can sometimes glue things back with silicone. Clean the rubber with denatured alcohol first. Do your repair but apply car wax to the body or door where the weatherstrip hits before you close the door so it doesn't stick there when you close the door. Don't buff the wax off, just apply it, and keep the door closed for several hours till the silicone sets up. When this kind of damage happens it's because the rubber is aged, so the rest of it will be tearing apart before long so this isn't a real fix, but it will last a year or so if you did it right.
Awesome work! I just fixed all the leaks in my Astro Camper build (currently editing the video). May do this as a precautionary measure! Thanks again man!
This video came at a great time. I actually DID spend on new weatherstrip for the rear barn doors and it still freakin leaks. Going to try this method next and the water hose test. Thanks for the video!
Did you get the Steele kit? Did you notice any improvement in terms of road noise entering the cabin? My dutch door seals are pretty much toast, so I'm thinking of doing the kit anyway or just getting their door kit.
I wanted to ask you if you had any advice for replacing the barn door seals on the doors themselves? I plan on doing exactly what you've done in this video. I went to the junkyard and couldn't find any in tact seals to pull off of something else for the doors
Did the Steele Kit... Labor, was 650$'s. Will try the additional "BODY" side Seal kit. I keep shammy cloth's, along the bottom. 93 Astro Cargo, 667,400 miles. The factory, should have made the weather seal, on the body, not, on the door, like the rest, of the door's are. Contoured roof lines, should never end, before the upper door lip, as the doors, should never rely, on a rubber seal, to prevent gravity, to let water in. Old vehicles, had rain gutters, and, roof over hangs. Fashion, over function mentality or, deliberate design flaw?
The box of that exact Metro Mold says '85-'97 Astro/ Safari. I bought it anyway but haven't installed yet due to a recent snow storm that ate up my whole weekend. If I remember I'll reply again with the results but at a glance it looks like it will work. One thing I'll be doing differently though is grinding the spots where the barn door latches would (and then priming and clear coating th cuts) so I don't have to cut the weather strip.
@@rosecitywrecker Hi, did you ever install the mold on your newer Astro? Did it work? Can't afford a Steele gasket for $325 for a while (other repairs hit my budget). Thanks!
@@rosecitywrecker Thicker would be BETTER, imho. What's really needed is the latch cover rubber on the end of the Steele Rubber OEM--but I'll try cheaper alternatives for the time being. Total a/c repair this Spring and Summer has been about $1200. I mostly skimped and saved that up in advance (a/c quit LAST YEAR, so saving took awhile). I bought a door check to keep one of the doors from closing and hitting me in the butt, was going to install it today, but I spent the day sniffling and coughing from an allergy attack (did you know, blue shop towels make marvelous tissues/handkerchiefs?).
Yk i did this quick fix,
Do i feel more confident in a slight increase of weather protection, yes,
Does it work 100%, no
I believe that the design of these doors just were not fully prepared to deal with rain 20+ years down the road,
It’s wet out right now,
i plan on going in, with some caulk to fill any weak spots i have where water may flow,
And making my own trough with the caulking to direct the watering that does make it to the bottom of the doors,
and sealing the outer edge of the OE trim piece,
Hopefully i have luck, and if i remember to, I’ll come back and tell you guys all about it,
Thanks for this tip and your other videos, it’s good to see more content being created in detail for this community, i appreciate you,
Did it work? pls post the parts, or maybe even video or pictures Tank you
Many other vids show where a lot of water can enter can enter at the bottom between the weatherstrip ends. You need to caulk (silicone) under and around that piece. One vid recommends drilling small drain holes at both ends of that part. I think that's the problem with my 'dutch doors', gotta look at it this weekend. My 03's weatherstrip seems good.
Experience with other cars has taught me how to check weatherstrip sealing. Normally a close look will show a clean spot where water enters, usually it will look dirty/ dusty with a clear line where the seal is made. You can dust the seal with baby powder or something like that, then close the door very slowly to not disturb it. If the latching is tight 'bump' the door closed to latch it. Now do the water-hose test and you'll clearly see where the powder has washed away if you have a leak. Sometimes for small leaks you can find a way to shim the weatherstrip tighter as long as it's in good shape. Factory weatherstripping (when available) usually works best, as some aftermarket stuff is a compromise design intended to fit as many vehicles as possible instead of fitting what you've got perfectly. If you have a small tear in the weatherstripping you can sometimes glue things back with silicone. Clean the rubber with denatured alcohol first. Do your repair but apply car wax to the body or door where the weatherstrip hits before you close the door so it doesn't stick there when you close the door. Don't buff the wax off, just apply it, and keep the door closed for several hours till the silicone sets up. When this kind of damage happens it's because the rubber is aged, so the rest of it will be tearing apart before long so this isn't a real fix, but it will last a year or so if you did it right.
Just picked these up and fit perfect for the Astro Cargo rear doors. Thanks for the recommend! Stoked!
Awesome work! I just fixed all the leaks in my Astro Camper build (currently editing the video). May do this as a precautionary measure! Thanks again man!
So stoked on these Astro videos.
This video came at a great time. I actually DID spend on new weatherstrip for the rear barn doors and it still freakin leaks. Going to try this method next and the water hose test. Thanks for the video!
Did you get the Steele kit? Did you notice any improvement in terms of road noise entering the cabin? My dutch door seals are pretty much toast, so I'm thinking of doing the kit anyway or just getting their door kit.
Excellent video bro…. Do you have a link for the seals?
I definitely need to do the same. May I ask where you purchased this universal seal???
You've been absent for a while my dude. I hope all is good and eagerly await more great content.
fantastic! i didnt want to spend 400$ on some weather seal strip. i thought that was crazy.
You should include some test footage at the end to see if water comes through. Still a good instructional video though.
I wanted to ask you if you had any advice for replacing the barn door seals on the doors themselves? I plan on doing exactly what you've done in this video. I went to the junkyard and couldn't find any in tact seals to pull off of something else for the doors
Did the Steele Kit... Labor, was 650$'s. Will try the additional "BODY" side Seal kit. I keep shammy cloth's, along the bottom. 93 Astro Cargo, 667,400 miles. The factory, should have made the weather seal, on the body, not, on the door, like the rest, of the door's are. Contoured roof lines, should never end, before the upper door lip, as the doors, should never rely, on a rubber seal, to prevent gravity, to let water in. Old vehicles, had rain gutters, and, roof over hangs. Fashion, over function mentality or, deliberate design flaw?
Awesome
Didn't notice you putting any glue or adhesive in, is it not needed?
No adhesives are necessary.
Its typically a pretty tight fit around the seam.
does anyone know if this works for the drip strip and lift gate window seal?
Anyone else finding this on Amazon and it says it won’t fit your astro? I have an 04 astro
The box of that exact Metro Mold says '85-'97 Astro/ Safari. I bought it anyway but haven't installed yet due to a recent snow storm that ate up my whole weekend. If I remember I'll reply again with the results but at a glance it looks like it will work. One thing I'll be doing differently though is grinding the spots where the barn door latches would (and then priming and clear coating th cuts) so I don't have to cut the weather strip.
@@rosecitywrecker Hi, did you ever install the mold on your newer Astro? Did it work? Can't afford a Steele gasket for $325 for a while (other repairs hit my budget). Thanks!
@w1dowgal It did, I think they're a little thicker than OEM, but the doors close fine.
@@rosecitywrecker Thicker would be BETTER, imho. What's really needed is the latch cover rubber on the end of the Steele Rubber OEM--but I'll try cheaper alternatives for the time being. Total a/c repair this Spring and Summer has been about $1200. I mostly skimped and saved that up in advance (a/c quit LAST YEAR, so saving took awhile). I bought a door check to keep one of the doors from closing and hitting me in the butt, was going to install it today, but I spent the day sniffling and coughing from an allergy attack (did you know, blue shop towels make marvelous tissues/handkerchiefs?).