Infamous elephant ears and water ingress prevention

[TVRSJW]

Ok so my Chim has to live outside in all weathers !

I’ve spent an evening reading up on this and water ingress prevention etc so have......

Cleaned (renovo roof cleaner)
Sealed roof with Fabsil gold (brushed on) so fabric and stitching is waterproof
Checked all seals and panel gaps
Ensured windows meet top seal etc
Checked drain outlets in doors etc
Resealed boot hinges (silicone)
Resealed in engine bay inner wings items like brake res , inspection cover , various hoses and cables going into inner wing
And....the chassis plate rivets etc....

Is there anything I’ve missed ? (I know about seat bolts etc but that would matter when moving not sat on my drive)

Now for the infamous elephant ears , seemed when searching threads etc some confusion over this and I’ve established there “not” the velcro flaps but small rubber flat ends the size of end of a finger glued to the bottom of the roof corner where it meets the door

My question is mine has not got them but did have a new roof couple of years ago and read that you can simply use pieces of rubber inner tube and glue in place but can’t seem to find any decent pictures of how these look for exact size and shape and correct fitment and alignment , as when my door is shut there is a small air gap that looks like would be blocked by these “ears”

Does anyone have more information and photos of said “ears”

Just trying to ensure I do all I can to prevent water ingress

I did buy a half cover but there are mixed reports on use including using full covers that can blister paint etc

First time I’ve done this on TVR so any help and advice welcome !

[lancepar]

Are these the "ears" you are referring to?

[TVRSJW]

Lol...no there like a flappy piece of rubber like inner tube just needed to know shape size and location fitment ?

[ianwayne]

I think these are the ears referred to:



My car doesn't have them, lives outside and doesn't seem to let in water in that area.

[lancepar]

Ahso

[TVRSJW]

Ha ha I’d never heard of them until I read post after post about trying to water proof the Chim then these popped up but with no pics and lots of confusion over what they are ! Seems if new hood was fitted in its life may not be present !

Worth making tho if easy some just say to use bike inner tube and glue in place must have been there for a reason ? I just need to get idea of shape and size and how it lined up ?

[Steve_D]

I think the bits you are referring to are just wrapped around the edge of the flap you can see under ianwaynes thumb in his picture.



Steve

[TVRShak]

The elephant ears that I'm aware of in the Chim are large rubber flaps that are inside the door.
They seperate the door electrics/ motor from the window adjustment mechanism runners and the window and are supposed to prevent water ingress to those electrics.
If you remove the door speaker and look / feel inside you will come across them.
They are large grey flaps of vinyl, that kind of resemble well..elephant ears.
They often tear so I replaced mine with slightly heavier duty vinyl cut to shape.
Hope that helps to clarify..doesn't help your hood/ door gap though..
It can be tricky sometimes to plug all those gaps..often its the hood/ door aligment thats a fraction off..

[ianwayne]

Steve_D said:

I think the bits you are referring to are just wrapped around the edge of the flap you can see under ianwaynes thumb in his picture.



Steve

Those little bits are actually missing on my Chimaera, they wear and come off easily and only protect the edge of the hood material. I don't believe they contribute to dispelling water at all.

It isn't my thumb by the way, I lifted the photo from another thread on here about 'elephant ears' of which there are several.