Squeaky window weather strips

[YLD-16L]

This is an issue that I have never been able to resolve on my KE25. All the rubber seals, strips and bailey channels have been replaced with new items except for the two that are not available.

Now the problem is that when the windows are wound down there is an almighty and embarassingly loud screaching sounding which is created by the hardened rubber weather seal as it rubs against the window (located across the top of the door).

I have tried any product I can think of to stop this annoying sound, even lightly rubbing back the hard shiny layer of the rubber did nothing

Now I want ideas on products that might stop this noise once and for all. The only consideration I ask you to be aware of is that I don't want to use any product that will leave a dirty smear on my window as it passes over the rubber.

NB. I am happy for this thread to also list good quality rubber finishing and revival products as it is kind of related to my question.

Thanks.

[derekjay]

This is a bit of a noob question. But where would one go to get the rubber strips replaced in the first place. Or is it something you can buy over the counter and do yourself? And if so where?

[YLD-16L]

But where would one go to get the rubber strips replaced in the first place. Or is it something you can buy over the counter and do yourself? And if so where?

I bought all mine over the counter from Toyota and Rare Spares and fitted them myself, it's a very easy job.

[river]

Hi,

Hmmm... anything you put on the rubber - like silicon grease - will make smearing marks on the glass. Just about everything I can think of, in the way of a enabling lubrication of the rubbers, will leave residue on the window as it goes up and down. Hehehe... I suppose you could try KY?

Is it just one window or all of them? I'm trying to determine if it's a problem with one set of rubbers or if they all do it.

seeyuzz
river

[YLD-16L]

Is it just one window or all of them? I'm trying to determine if it's a problem with one set of rubbers or if they all do it.

RIver, it happens on both sides (2 door car). Both sides are equally as squeally

The dilemna really is finding a product that won't leave a mark

[Toobs]

Silicon spray... although initially it will leave marks on the window after a few days it will dry up / soak into the rubber.
Anything else bar new rubber will do the same or worse.

[river]

Hi,

Check this out.... http://www.540i6.com/doorseals.html

seeyuzz
river

[YLD-16L]

Silicon spray...

Tried that recently and it actually left very little marking on the window to my surprise. It only dulled the squeal for a while then it returned at full noise

Hi,

Check this out.... http://www.540i6.com/doorseals.html

seeyuzz
river

Nice find River! I have actually used that method on a couple of other seals before and had thought of it for this particular problem. The issue is that the contact point between the window and the rubber is akin to that of a windscreen wiper on a window so basically no surface area to apply the felt

[oldcorollas]

this is the rubber on the outside that wipes the glass is it goes up or down yah?

squeal sucks

windscreen wipers don't squeal because they have graphite in the rubber.
clean glass and graphite impreg rubber doesn't squeal, but once the glass gets dirty, or the wipers lose their graphite... time to replace them

i noticed on my not so old car and a few others that the window moves away from that strip.. so when on it's way down or up, it7s not actually sliding against the rubber.

i don't think that is too feasible in out case, but... it would be possible to rig something up so that when the window is up, the base is pushing against a levered seal so it seals against the window...

you could try taking the rubber off and rubbing in graphite.. see if that helps. if the glass is clean, it shouldn't smear.

i can't think of any other dry lubricants atm that don't smear... could always google for "non-smearing dry lubricant"

[river]

Hi,

Yes, you can run graphite over it. I'm sure it will mark the window if the window is a bit dirty, furthermore I'm not confident the graphite will stay in place and it will rub off or wash off (if subjected to water).

You could take off the rubber and soak them in silicone waterproofing over night. You can get cans of silicon waterproofing from camping stores - it's used to reproof tents and stuff like that.

However, this trick is usually applied to old rubbers that are hardened with age. I'm sure yours a re nice and new - however, if they're overtly hard then you can try it out. Perhaps a softer, more supple rubber will not squeal so much.

Glycerine is a wonderful product for stopping these sorts of squeals but alas it would definitely leave smear marks on your window.

seeyuzz
river

[YLD-16L]

this is the rubber on the outside that wipes the glass is it goes up or down yah?

Yah that's the one.

Thanks for the ideas, I'll give some graphite a go. Just a pencil run across it should do?

[river]

Hi,

You can buy graphite in bottles, however to try it out use a pencil - use a soft pencil like a 2, 4 ,6 or 8B pencil. ALso you can grab a graphite stick from an artists supplier.

seeyuzz
river

[YLD-16L]

I'm sure yours a re nice and new

Nope, they're old and hard. This is one of the rubber components that no one stocked as a new part

[river]

Hi,

Well, this is where I got my info for you....

http://kawtriple.com/mraxl/tips/rubbersoftener.htm

... I worked over a hot internet all day for you!

Give it a whirl and see how you go, especially since they're the old rubbers.

seeyuzz
river

[YLD-16L]

Hi,

Well, this is where I got my info for you....

http://kawtriple.com/mraxl/tips/rubbersoftener.htm

... I worked over a hot internet all day for you!

Give it a whirl and see how you go, especially since they're the old rubbers.

seeyuzz
river

That may be the best and only long term option I will be giving it a go soon and will post my results in this thread.

Thanks guys.