I've just replaced the driver side quarter window rubber seal on my 78' Clubby. Once the door was completely reassembled the quarter window is now very tight and hard to shut without it catching and lifting the lower part of the new seal!

Will this just wear in or have I over-tighten the lock nut at the bottom (it also had about 12 washers used as spacers)? If I loosen the lock nut will the entire quarter window rise up just a fraction?

Any and all input greatly appreciated

Was there a spring on the threaded bit under the nut? 12 washers seems a bit excessive.

Rodney

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The best part of fixing your mini is the test drive

Minis..

1976 van daily drive
1975 van
1968 deluxe in the shed
1967 deluxe high strung 1310
1959 austin healey sprite

No spring, I agree the washers didn't look right! That could be my problem - Cheers Rodney.

Cool. Well I should have all the bits you need if you wanna come get them. Free.

Rodney

_________________
The best part of fixing your mini is the test drive

Minis..

1976 van daily drive
1975 van
1968 deluxe in the shed
1967 deluxe high strung 1310
1959 austin healey sprite

Ensure that the seal is correctly home. Also, if you did (like I have done once before) used a lubricant to ease the seal in, then this lubricant will help ease the seal out as well. It has to be clean and dry.

There will be a period in which it eases in, but unfortunately this is the hottest time of the year, so it might be a little annoying till it does.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Often you find the quarter window retaining frame has pulled away from the glass at the bottom, this lets the frame catch the rubber.
I redid the rubbers, closed the quarter windows and they're staying shut..

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Cheers guys,

Insightful as always (gotta love this forum). I used a CRC 808 silicone spray lubricant and was wondering if it's slipped out again! I had also soaked the rubber in the sun for an hour to soften it prior to fitting. The window remain shut anyway as I've fitted the old Aston Martin style bullet mirrors which get in the way! I'm more worried it won't be sealed against rain, then again I don't drive it if it's gonna rain!

Thanks for the offer on parts Rodney it would be good to have it set up correctly, I'll bring a carton over sometime I think I must owe you a few beers by now with all the advise

Hey marty I might have you on a wild goose chase with the spring. I just pulled one out in the shed and it has no spring but I could have sworn when I did my van doors there where springs on them.

Can any one else clarify if there is meant to be a spring on there.

Always up for a beer and a chat about minis.

Rodney

_________________
The best part of fixing your mini is the test drive

Minis..

1976 van daily drive
1975 van
1968 deluxe in the shed
1967 deluxe high strung 1310
1959 austin healey sprite

I haven't done that many doors, but have always seen a pack of washers in there.

To adjust, it is possible to use a small 1/4 drive socket from inside the door if you pull the trim out. A flat or so in either direction is enough to get it right.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Never seen any with springs. As stated, there's usually a pack of washers which include 2 clear plastic ones, which I assume allow the nyloc nut on the spindle to be tightened to give the required resistance so the 1/4 vent doesn't flop around. As Doc says, the frame loosening at the bottom is the culprit with the seal problem. And its getting hard to find vents that are OK, esp. driver's side, for some reason.

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1967 Cooper S - new front bearings to do.
1965 Cooper S shell - Slow progress. No time or money!
1966 Deluxe- next rustoration!
Mk 2 & XJ6 Jags. Less said the better.

I'll give that ago, I can feel it with my hand so shouldn't be too difficult to loosen. Cheers

I think you will find the washers are concave (or convex).
Assemble them opposite each other and they form the spring. Tighten the nut to get the correct resistance.

Such clever British engineering, they probably came up with the idea over a cuppa tea! ha ha.....

Is there any way to refurbish the handle on the quarter window? Once the handle comes off it is a bit of a bugger to keep the damn thing shut.

In think the handle can be (normally) removed/replaced by punching out the little brass pin in the "ball joint".

The joint itself suffers a dog's life (water, nil lubrication, abuse) and will break/ fall off eventually, if not looked after.

To fix it, you would need to find handle with minimal wear along with a good ball on the vent itself. Maybe replacing the entire unit with good 2nd hand replacement is they way to go. If so, do the joint a favour and give it a little serve of grease.

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1967 Cooper S - new front bearings to do.
1965 Cooper S shell - Slow progress. No time or money!
1966 Deluxe- next rustoration!
Mk 2 & XJ6 Jags. Less said the better.