Spyder Weatherstripping Replacement

As with alot of Spyder owners, I have been suffering with a leaky interior. The problem was the old dry-rotted weatherstripping that seals the top to the windshield frame. I finally bit the $252 bullet and bought the replacement rubber. I tried to get this piece through the dealership but it seems to be unavailable. I lucked up and found it on Ebay though. This is how I performed the process.

Tools:
-New weatherstripping
-3m Yellow weatherstrip and gasket adhesive
-Phillips head screwdriver
-Flat head screwdriver
-Small Allen wrench

The new piece:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top1.jpg

Step 1:
Drop the top
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top2.jpg

Step 2:
You are going to need to remove the upper trim panel. To do this you must first remove the A-pillars, the sunvisors, and the rear view mirror. The visors are simply held up with 2 screws.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top3.jpg

Step 3:
Remove the clips holding the rubber to the trim panel.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top4.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top5.jpg

Step 4:
Now you can simply pull the panel down and out. It is held on with 4 snap clips.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top6.jpg

Step 5:
Remove all the clips holding the weatherstrip to the car.
There is one plastic clip on each corner of the windshield frame
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top7.jpg

And two plastic clips in each door jamb (one is visible) and one is covered by the rubber
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top8.jpg

Step 6:
You can now remove the old piece. Just pick a corner and start pulling. Notice how the old weatherstripping is attached to the car.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top9.jpg

Removed
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top10.jpg

Step 7:
You must now install the new part. Again, notice how the rubber attaches to the car. There is a (chrome) piece that is slotted. The rubber is flared out on the bottom at each side. You must force the flared edge of the rubber into the slotted track until it seats.

Here is a closeup of the slotted track so that you can get an idea of how the rubber fits into place
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top15.jpg

I used a flat head screwdriver to push the weatherstripping down into the groove
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top16.jpg

Pick a side to start at, I started with the drivers side. Work the piece into place all the way up until you reach the top corner.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top11.jpg

Step 8:
At the corner of the stripping there is some adhesive installed from the factory. Also, the car still has the factory black tar looking sticky stuff in place. But for extra piece of mind, I used some 3m adhesive mentioned earlier.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top12.jpg

Step 9:
Adhere the rubber to the corner and lock in the pre-installed white push clip.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top13.jpg

Step 10:
Work the piece the rest of the way around the windshield frame


http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top14.jpg

The new weatherstripping installed
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top17.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top18.jpg

Step 11:
Reinstall the interior pieces and attach the black clip at each corner to the upper panel.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top19.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top20.jpg

Step 12:
Give the adhesive ample time to dry. Close the top and adjust the two latches. The latches are threaded and easily adjusted by turning them, but you must first loosen a small allen head set-screw.

And you're done. Enjoy your dry butt.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/nilla_pimp/top21.jpg

Moved to tech article. Looks great. Very descriptive and lots of pics. A+ rated!

awesome write up man