2004 Door Seal weatherstripping crumpled into spaghetti

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Blackwing, Oct 13, 2021.

  1. Blackwing

    Blackwing Member

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    Hi Priuschat,

    My latest issue is involving the door seal / belt molding / aka weatherstripping.

    The issue only belongs to the front driver's side window.

    It has been a problem for years with whistling, however it has finally gave in and crumpled up into wriggled spaghetti. I can no longer completely raise up and close the window.

    The 2nd photo is the passenger side and what it looks under normal circumstances.

    The 3rd photo shows me popping out the speaker cover and I cannot squish the seal back into its channel because it has been stretched and split.

    What do I need to buy and how do I fix it? Are there any dangers involved with the airbag to DIY?

    IMG_4032.jpg IMG_4033.jpg IMG_4034.jpg IMG_4035.jpg
     
    #1 Blackwing, Oct 13, 2021
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You would need a new part, the tension on that rubber molding is no longer adequate
     
    #2 JC91006, Oct 13, 2021
  3. Blackwing

    Blackwing Member

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    #3 Blackwing, Oct 13, 2021
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    #4 JC91006, Oct 13, 2021
    Blackwing likes this.
  5. Blackwing

    Blackwing Member

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    I just removed the plastic door panel and looked inside to where the inside trim molding travels down to. I've discovered that somehow the window over time has lifted up the seal up from the end of its track (Photo 1).

    This is compared to Photo 2, where the other side of the weatherstripping actually meets the end of the track successfully.

    Would I be able to pull it down with the window installed or should I remove the window first?


    problem found 1.jpg problem found 2.jpg
     
    #5 Blackwing, Oct 14, 2021
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I had a similar issue with the back hatch area, not a door. The dealer said the rubber seal cannot be reused if it's been stretched. It will not hold tension (keep it tight when windows or whatever moves it) and that it would need to be replaced. Maybe you can get advice from some auto glass repair shops, they can look and advise what you need to do
     
    #6 JC91006, Oct 14, 2021
  7. Blackwing

    Blackwing Member

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    I'm giving it a go with some clear silicone. Holding it in place with spacers and will let it cure. Unfortuntely I dropped one of the 10mm nuts for the window bracket into the bottom area.
     
    #7 Blackwing, Oct 14, 2021
  8. Blackwing

    Blackwing Member

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    I fixed it with clear silicone on each side of the molding and used 3M black weatherstrip adhesive to reseal the plastic weathershield
     
    #8 Blackwing, Oct 16, 2021
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