Door Seal Mod
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 4
From: Lakehills, TX
In the past on the recommendation of pros who wire up emergency vehicles for a living I've used Windex for feeding coated wiring through rubber grommets and such, with excellent results. I imagine a mild dish soap mix in water would probably work fine, too, and it sounds like JIM_C's experience corroborates that. I'm kind of curious what that guy in the video was using out of an aerosol can.
Fake edit: I just looked in the YouTube comments. He said, "It was a generic silicone spray. Worked great."
It looks like there's other silicone tubing out there that is black after all, but it's for vacuum tubing under the hood, and after calling up the manufacturer it appears to be a lot thicker and probably a lot stiffer than what we're looking for. 1/4" ID is more like 7/16" or thicker in OD, almost 1/2"...
Fake edit: I just looked in the YouTube comments. He said, "It was a generic silicone spray. Worked great."
It looks like there's other silicone tubing out there that is black after all, but it's for vacuum tubing under the hood, and after calling up the manufacturer it appears to be a lot thicker and probably a lot stiffer than what we're looking for. 1/4" ID is more like 7/16" or thicker in OD, almost 1/2"...
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 4
From: Lakehills, TX
Well after looking at a bunch of other options including the excellent McMaster-Carr link earlier in the thread I said screw it and ordered the 50 feet of black latex tubing from the Amazon link. Should be good down to at least 0*F and being in south Texas that's not really a problem for me. I also got a 50-foot fish tape from Klein. If figure why not give this mod a shot? I haven't really noticed massive door rattling or whistling problems, but maybe I'm just the frog slowly boiled in water. Maybe the doors will thunk shut nicely and be prevented from rattling over washboard roads like my old '07 would do...
I'll make sure to remember to post up my thoughts immediately after and then a few weeks down the road.
I'll make sure to remember to post up my thoughts immediately after and then a few weeks down the road.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Several companies make a lubricant made especially for fishing wires. It is like a jelly, I used it before. The last time I was Home Depot they had it back with the wire fishes and Klein electrical tools.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Lone Tree, Colorado
You don't have to slam the doors, hard. A little more effort in closing, though. You do get used to it. Doors do pop open when you open. The doors do sound solid when you close and the wind/road noise is greatly reduced. I think it is well worth the effort. FYI, I got the black latex from Amazon.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 415
Likes: 26
Has anyone considered using stranded nylon rope instead of the tubing here? You would probably have to play with the diameter to get it right, but those strands should squish and allow the door to shut. It would be much cheaper than the tubing.
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 471
Likes: 1
From: Pocatello, Idaho
My concern with using vinyl tubing or even nylon rope is that those materials are harder and would wear through the door seals. I think that the latex tubing is softer and would move with the seal instead of rubbing inside the seal.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,065
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From: Oshkosh Wisconsin
Just wondering if anyone has any updates? I have a 03 f150 supercab. I do not have the seal posted in the video. Just the older style single tube seal. I'm looking for 1/4" silicone hose now? I'm in cold weather climate. Does anyone know how much is needed to do the complete supercab? Also can you does this trick on the single seal on the suicide door?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 0
From: Oshkosh Wisconsin
Just curious if anyone could chime in. Does this look like it would be what I'm looking for? I have a 2003 Ford Supercab. See above post.
VERSILIC Silicone Tubing, 1/4 In OD, 50 Ft - Silicone Tubing - 2LRH6|ABX00011-GR - Grainger Industrial Supply
VERSILIC Silicone Tubing, 1/4 In OD, 50 Ft - Silicone Tubing - 2LRH6|ABX00011-GR - Grainger Industrial Supply
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
The important thing is the shore, or hardness value.
The tube you have found is shore 50, this is a soft tube and should work fine.
The Grainger price is better than McMaster Carr.
To determine the length you need, remove the door seal lay it out an measure.
One additional thing, don't use silicone spray to lube the tube when you install, it is harmful to silicone rubber.
Stop by Lowe's or HD and get some wire pulling lubricant, this is a gel that will work fine and not affect the rubber.
Also dish soap diluted about 50/50 with warm water will work.
The tube you have found is shore 50, this is a soft tube and should work fine.
The Grainger price is better than McMaster Carr.
To determine the length you need, remove the door seal lay it out an measure.
One additional thing, don't use silicone spray to lube the tube when you install, it is harmful to silicone rubber.
Stop by Lowe's or HD and get some wire pulling lubricant, this is a gel that will work fine and not affect the rubber.
Also dish soap diluted about 50/50 with warm water will work.
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