Wind / draught from top of front window frame
Discussion
I can't find any reference to this issue using the search feature, which surprises me because every Chimaera seems to have the small problem of a draught from the top of the window frame. I'm not talking about the window touching the rubber trim edge of the top, it's the 5mm or so gap between the top of the alloy window edge guide and the rubber trim. At anything above 50 mph, it's noisy and draughty too.
I have done a couple of ad-hoc 'bodges' as temporary measures and would like to sound out if anyone else has had a solution.
On the driver's side, I trimmed a piece of old foam and stuck it to the top of the frame with 2 part epoxy. It can removed again OK. It's a bit shabby but seems to work quite well. Perhaps a more rigid piece of foam would be better. I suppose if the metal guide were any longer, it would be either an edge hazard or would eventually rip the edge of the rubber trim.
On the passenger side, I have simply taped a piece of rubber that fills the gap when the door closes. Obviously, this could be glued in place or maybe secured using some aluminium tape. A final solution would be to secure a piece of rigid rubber with screws to the metal frame but I'm not brave enough for that step yet!
I have done a couple of ad-hoc 'bodges' as temporary measures and would like to sound out if anyone else has had a solution.
On the driver's side, I trimmed a piece of old foam and stuck it to the top of the frame with 2 part epoxy. It can removed again OK. It's a bit shabby but seems to work quite well. Perhaps a more rigid piece of foam would be better. I suppose if the metal guide were any longer, it would be either an edge hazard or would eventually rip the edge of the rubber trim.
On the passenger side, I have simply taped a piece of rubber that fills the gap when the door closes. Obviously, this could be glued in place or maybe secured using some aluminium tape. A final solution would be to secure a piece of rigid rubber with screws to the metal frame but I'm not brave enough for that step yet!
1. Start by adjusting the window height so its lifts flush to the level of the window frame.
2. Close the door and check what gap you have been targa roof rubber seal and top end of glass. I did this with slip gauges but you could use a a thin piece of rubber and keep building it up with masking tape until its a snug fit between window and targa seal.
3. Once a achieved this is the amount you need to move down the rail that holds in the targa seal.
4. I got some aluminum strip of the correct fitment and placed it underneath the targa strip rail and screwed rail down and reinserted targa rubber strip.
5. When l reclose the door the aluminium frame touches the rubber strip and window seals all the way along it.
2. Close the door and check what gap you have been targa roof rubber seal and top end of glass. I did this with slip gauges but you could use a a thin piece of rubber and keep building it up with masking tape until its a snug fit between window and targa seal.
3. Once a achieved this is the amount you need to move down the rail that holds in the targa seal.
4. I got some aluminum strip of the correct fitment and placed it underneath the targa strip rail and screwed rail down and reinserted targa rubber strip.
5. When l reclose the door the aluminium frame touches the rubber strip and window seals all the way along it.
Well done on all that but I'm not sure I can do that on mine. It's a 2000 reg and the targa edge seal runs in a channel that is part of the top. I wouldn't want to start ripping it apart.
If I adjusted the glass to come to rest flush with the top of the window frame, I'd have about a 6mm gap all the way along on both sides!
Although the amount of air coming may be less, it is actually now slightly noisier because there is such a small gap for air to get in. I can see why people live with it now.
If I adjusted the glass to come to rest flush with the top of the window frame, I'd have about a 6mm gap all the way along on both sides!
Although the amount of air coming may be less, it is actually now slightly noisier because there is such a small gap for air to get in. I can see why people live with it now.
ianwayne said:
Well done on all that but I'm not sure I can do that on mine. It's a 2000 reg and the targa edge seal runs in a channel that is part of the top. I wouldn't want to start ripping it apart.
If I adjusted the glass to come to rest flush with the top of the window frame, I'd have about a 6mm gap all the way along on both sides!
Although the amount of air coming may be less, it is actually now slightly noisier because there is such a small gap for air to get in. I can see why people live with it now.
Hi lan. Take your targa seal out and the channel will be screwed into the fibre glass roof with a little bit of silicon sealant to stop water ingress. The countersunk screws will be there for sure. Its easily to remove? If I adjusted the glass to come to rest flush with the top of the window frame, I'd have about a 6mm gap all the way along on both sides!
Although the amount of air coming may be less, it is actually now slightly noisier because there is such a small gap for air to get in. I can see why people live with it now.
Hi,
you need to adjust the window frame. The frame is bolted at the bottom of the door (via a bracket) and at the top of the door. Loosen the two bolts and you will have up and down adjustment of the frame. If you loosen the bottom bracket fixing bolt there is also some left to right adjustment. Adjust the frame so the top fits snug up against the targa seal and the outer edge does not protrude out past the windscreen seal. If you can't get the adjustment, the other options are to move the whole door up to fit or it is possible to remove the window frame and elongate the adjustment slots.
Ozstyle
you need to adjust the window frame. The frame is bolted at the bottom of the door (via a bracket) and at the top of the door. Loosen the two bolts and you will have up and down adjustment of the frame. If you loosen the bottom bracket fixing bolt there is also some left to right adjustment. Adjust the frame so the top fits snug up against the targa seal and the outer edge does not protrude out past the windscreen seal. If you can't get the adjustment, the other options are to move the whole door up to fit or it is possible to remove the window frame and elongate the adjustment slots.
Ozstyle
I had a feeling the window frame could be made to come up further, but it would mean stripping the door (we know the door card palava) and then getting hold of sikaflex to seal the frame to door gap:
I think I'll remove the targa top (when it stops raining here!) to check out the suggestion about lowering the seal rail.
I think I'll remove the targa top (when it stops raining here!) to check out the suggestion about lowering the seal rail.
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