lower door seals

Is it common for a park avenue with the lower door seals to cause rust,my 99 is rusting bad as these seals hold moisture and salt.The rust is so bad that it is pushing the seals outward making it look like the seals are bad.I see the le sabre doors are all metal down to the rockers.Does this happen to most of these in northern climates where they use salt.Mine are beyond fixing.

I can relate. Being in michigan the same thing is starting on my 2001 park. I have been taking the seals off and cleaning them and the lower door ever since I bought the car. I can see in the spring I will need to repaint those lower door areas, as the rust is just surface type at this time.

I'm starting to have the same problems due to salt. When you took off the lower door seals, did you find the drainage holes? I cannot seem to locate them anywhere else on the door.

Thank you.

These lower seals on my '01 Park Avenue have been a constant headache. The original seals were in need of replacement after five years: they had split on the ends and taken on water, causing pockets of rust to develop creating visible surface lumps.

The good news is the seals are still available from GM. The bad news is the mounting screws although still available, are not the same design as the originals: the washer has been eliminated, and they're not quite as long. They'll work, but trust me, they don't seat well and look cut rate.

Great car, cheap trim.

I checked into new door seals. The price I was quoted was quite high. What was the appox. cost that you paid?

MCMLXV,

I purchased replacement screws with the washers from one of the auto chain stores in my area. The exact size comes in a package of assorted sizes.

The package has 12 screws and is made by DORMAN. The sizes are #8 and #10.

I'm sorry it has taken so long to reply.

OK, I paid $38.00 from GM Parts Direct for each lower weatherstrip. If you choose to buy from them, be careful of thier strange method of calculating shipping. Let me know if you need the part numbers.

Thank you for the tip. I've looked forever for identical replacements for these elusive screws. I'm going to have a look tomorrow at the Dorman product.

Amazingly, the GM screws that I installed just 6 weeks ago are already just beginning to turn a rust color from road salt. And I never let the salt remain on the surface more than a day of two in the winter. Unbelievable...

i am glad i found this post
i just got 99 park ave and it has rust on the passenger side door and the rest of the car is almost mint.
I was trying to figure out how the door got rusty.
Thanks

If you have the part number handy that would be great! At 38.00 it is much less than the 75.00 plus I was quoted. Thanks.

I have the same problem on my 2001. How did you make out getting the parts and final cost. I am in Canada which will probably add to the problem. Thanks

Has anyone considered repairing these?? Not sure if the steel rod inside can be slid out or not.

The part numbers for the lower door weatherstripping are:

LF: 25634571
RF: 25634570
LR: 25634573
RR: 25634572

The part number for the screws is:

15958432

Plug these numbers into the GM Parts Direct site for the latest prices.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for this information MCMLXV. Just for the information on the post, I just purchased right front at door seal for $74. canadian, plus tax from the local dealer. Quite expensive but considering Canadian dollar and shipping, it is not that much more than GMParts Direct.

I am going to try to clean up and reuse the other three. I may end up buying those in the near future as well.

Paul

You're welcome Paul. These cars are worth maintaining. Good luck.

Bob

I just bought a very clean 2005 Park, and I am concerned about the rust.

I am certain this car has never been outdoors, in Michigan, in the winter.

Is there anything I can do, short of not driving my car, to prevent rust at the bottom of the doors?

Thanks,

Pete

As with ALL weatherstrip seals, it is important to treat them so they remain soft and pliable. It they cannot seal, they allow moisture to get past them. The factory service manual used to include this information as part of the annual body cleaning and lubrication service. I'm not sure of it is still in the later years' manuals, but it should be.

This includes the window sweeps, since that's a point of entry for moisture. It also helps to keep the body drain holes open so they can let moisture out and air in.