New Door Weatherstripping Door Won't Close/open

The dollar bill trick...

The problem with doors and hatches is getting them to close tight enough. Guessing at the right amount of clearance can be annoying and time consuming. Here's an easy way to determine if the weather seal is tight enough to keep out the weather and keep down the rattles and road noise.

Stick a dollar bill on each one of the flat sections. On a typical door that means one at the top, one at the bottom and one on the front and one at the back. Gently tug on each dollar bill; it should have some resistance, but not just slip out nor be completely stuck. When all the dollar bills require the same resistance to being pulled out, the door or hatch is aligned to evenly compress the weather seal all the way around.

Why dollar bills? They are made with paper with a high rag content and will resist tearing much better that ordinary paper. They have a consistent thickness and resistance to tearing, so you get uniform test results.

For a vert:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx2DDkqQsqk



For a coupe:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik8AOcdQLTc

Fixed the vert link, had the wrong video. See edit above.

Almost at a year with my Late Model Restoration driver side weatherstrip on my 93 hatchback! And still to present day weatherstrip has not taken shape it is too thick for doors

aftermarket parts often suck.. I had to replace some trim on ,my vert. Frikking piece was $130 from LMRS and I had to massage it to fit,

Lucky I tried massaging strip and nothing door does not shut right at all. I wish I had not thrown old ragged weatherstrip. I think I would have put back on!!!

aztecgwynn said:

Lucky I tried massaging strip and nothing door does not shut right at all. I wish I had not thrown old ragged weatherstrip. I think I would have put back on!!!

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check the classifieds and CL. There are guys always parting these out.

That's discouraging. I was hoping to n order all new rubber them this year

Are the door hinge bushings worn?

Open the door and raise it gently by hand . The lower tip of the door should not raise up more than about 3/8". If it does, have the helper lift the door while you watch the hinge bushings. You may need to replace the hinge pin bushings and then adjust the door by moving the striker bolt. The hinge pin bushings are a common hardware item at most auto parts stores - it takes one $7-$9 kit per door.

Remember to do the dollar bill trick I posted here earlier...

My hinge pins were replaced July 2015. And I thought now it will close like it used to, NOPE still not fully closed. I took weather stripping off to make sure that was not issue. Took off and door closed properly, I guess i will take to a body shop to see if there is anything they can do to help.
Try and stick with Motorcraft parts some are still available thru Rock Auto, now weatherstripping not many sell that stuff but the few that sell it don't make a very good or close to ford specs!!

Imatk said:

Just replaced the weatherstripping on my 91 Mustang GT and now the doors are very hard to open and close.

It's as if the weatherstripping is too thick.

Is there a way to fix this or do I just have to go back to the old stuff?

Thanks

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I went through the same thing as you. LMR offers two different ones. I first had the cheap ones and they were no bueno! The more expensive one they offer is a lot better quality, and my doors close a lot easier.