The drivers side front door weather stripping down by the mirror has squished out of shape. Now it doesnt give a very good seal. anything over 60mph I get a loud wind noise and a cold draft. It is more annoying then anything else, so i dont want to replace the rubber around the whole door. Im hoping there is a way to get it back to shape. I'm thinking of trying a hair dryer to heat it up any experiences or other ideas?

 

Vehicle: 2000 Imp. OB. Sport.

The mirror isn't bent down is it? No other things causing it to allow air in? I had an annoying whistle that was fixed by very carefully pulling up on the mirror slightly to bend the mirror mount back to where the door properly sealed. How much is a new seal? If it's not too expensive, just replace it. If it's beyond your budget this is my ghetto method:

 

Get black silicone rtv and thick plastic sheeting (I used zip-lock bags cut to size). Liberally spread the silicone on the problem seal. Put one layer of plastic on the sticky silicone. Shut the door. Wait overnight, open the door, and carefully pull off the plastic. Sprinkle a little bit of talcum powder on the silicone and drive it to see if you fixed it. This method lets the silicone mold to the irregular shape of the door and frame. It worked on an old Volvo of mine and if you don't go nuts with the silicone, the fix is almost invisible.

i like the idea. I am sure it is the molding. this vehicle does not have an upper door so the glass closes right against the rubber seal. as you know the seal has a specific hollow shape, sort of like the letter D on its back. in this specific spot it appears as if the the hollow has colapsed and the whole thing has sort of squashed to th einside of the cabin so its not a tight seal. Im not sure how or why this happened. but the rubber is now what appears to be permanently in that shape. i cant just press it back with my hands. so i was wondering if heating up might let me re form it. But i dont want to try it if it will cause further dammage.

 

I have not priced out a whole door seal. but in my experience with replacing one on my '78 nova, it is very difficult to get it all in evenly and in the proper place.

I'm not sure of the exact nature of your moulding ("hollow D shape"), but on my 97, I'd call it more of a "U" shape (in the mirror area). In the past, people have played around with slipping "something" into the U to 'puff' it back up. A strip of wire has been used. You might try some small rubber hose (like vacuum line hose, etc) that would have some give. Maybe a strip of the adheasive foam one can buy in strip rolls of various sizes for various purposes. Etc.

 

Even if is is an enclosed shape, you might be able to make a small hole and shove something in. Riskier though.

 

Commuter