Wagon door glass "runner"(?) fell in

[Bonnewagon]

I was driving fast in my Bonnewagon and it sounded like my door was open. While working on the transmission today I noticed that the "U" shaped runner (?) that the glass rides up and down in had fallen down into the door. This is the vertical "U" with fuzz on the inside thing on the inside of the door frame that holds the glass in place and seals it as well. It fell about 4/5 of the way down into the door. It looked raggedy at the top like it had broken off. I was able to grab the end and yank it back up with some difficulty. Once up it seems pretty well stuck there. What is this and how is it supposed to be secured? Glue? Screws?

 

[Ribbedroof]

Run channel. There are no real one-piece repros, but there is roll stock that you can use

https://www.dkhardware.com/flexible...ls_ZC570M0P1.html?p=1&k=&st=3&f_price_price=-

There are a couple of threads on it here, Jack probably has the numbers to use at hand....I'll have to dig through the receipts for what I used.

Originally, they were molded in one piece, and were a fricton fit in the door's metal run channel guide.

On wagons, there are 3 different pieces to use, one for the front and top of the front doors and rear doors, one for the rear door division bar, and one for the rear of the front door. The one for the back of the front door is a little harder to find, not all of the weatherstrip places carry it.

http://stores.restorationspecialties.com/as1799-96/ rear of frt door

http://stores.restorationspecialties.com/as1264-96/ division bar

http://stores.restorationspecialties.com/as1720-96/ frt/rear doors

The 3 above are what I used, I bought them elsewhere for less, but the vendor has retired

 

[JAMCAR223]

Would a 4 door sedan use the same parts? 1980 Century...

 

[Longroof79]

Would a 4 door sedan use the same parts? 1980 Century...

James,
If the run channels are pliable and not brittle, I would recommend using them. Of course, the one piece OEM channels are next to impossible to find.

Mark, That might be your solution right there.

 

[Longroof79]

Run channel. There are no real one-piece repros, but there is roll stock that you can use

https://www.dkhardware.com/flexible...ls_ZC570M0P1.html?p=1&k=&st=3&f_price_price=-

There are a couple of threads on it here, Jack probably has the numbers to use at hand....I'll have to dig through the receipts for what I used.

Originally, they were molded in one piece, and were a fricton fit in the door's metal run channel guide.

On wagons, there are 3 different pieces to use, one for the front and top of the front doors and rear doors, one for the rear door division bar, and one for the rear of the front door. The one for the back of the front door is a little harder to find, not all of the weatherstrip places carry it.

http://stores.restorationspecialties.com/as1799-96/ rear of frt door

http://stores.restorationspecialties.com/as1264-96/ division bar

http://stores.restorationspecialties.com/as1720-96/ frt/rear doors

The 3 above are what I used, I bought them elsewhere for less, but the vendor has retired

Brian,
I also would buy window channel from Dan. He did mention that he wouldn't be doing this much longer. He was a good, reasonable source for this stuff.

 

[Bonnewagon]

Oh man thanks guys. So it's a "flocked rubber run channel". I can compare mine, measure, and see what I can get. So if it is a friction fit I guess some glue would keep it from falling back down for now. Does the door have to come apart to change that out?

 

[Longroof79]

Oh man thanks guys. So it's a "flocked rubber run channel". I can compare mine, measure, and see what I can get. So if it is a friction fit I guess some glue would keep it from falling back down for now. Does the door have to come apart to change that out?

Mark,
Which part of the channel is problematic? The reason I ask is because the vertical piece is not reproduced by anyone. That's generally where the problem comes in. I was able to replace the left side with an OEM NOS one pierce channel. The other side required some improvising. I was able to find a right side OEM channel, but it was kinda falling apart. I ended up using the vertical channel and an aftermarket piece and attached them at the corner joint.

If the run channels that James has in his parts car are still good, not shredded, cracking, and still flexible, I would grab them.

Like Brian said, the channel usually does not require any glue, but in some cases it doesn't hurt to put a dab here and there.

 

[Bonnewagon]

Jack it is the passenger front door rearward vertical channel. The one you grab to close the door. The one in there is not too bad really. In fact once I was able to persuade it back up into place I can't see any damage. The chewed up end is now up inside the top of the door so you can't see it. Maybe I should just glue it and call it a day. I think maybe the glass got frozen to the channel and when the window was rolled down it pulled the channel down with it. I must say this is a first for me !

 

[Longroof79]

Mark,
If the channel is still in pretty good shape, only that it pulled away from the upper channel and it butts up to where it came apart, I can't see a problem with gluing it in with a few dabs of 3M weatherstrip adhesive.

 

[Bonnewagon]

Jack that is probably what I will do. I am thinking the door has to be opened up to get at it? I don't have the time to replace it anyway as I am taking my transmission apart right now. Kudos to you and Brian for identifying this thing and even providing solutions. Leave it to the wagon guys!