sstrickstein

Has anyone replaced this seal? I purchased the seal from Mark at Sharkfest last year and have not put it in because it looks like the hatch must be completely removed to get it in. Am I missing something? Anyone who has performed this please share.

Ducman82

rear hatch seal is easy. no need to remove the hatch. a good tip is to leave the weatherstripping in the sun for a while to get nice and warm/playable.

sstrickstein

How do you get it under the trim on the rear hatch?

Ducman82

just feed it under the hatch overhang. once you start taking out the old one, you will see how it works.

Mrmerlin

to RnR the hatch seal,
first disconnect the battery,
then remove the hatch sun visors .

Then remove the hatch lamp, label the wires.

NOTE add some heat shrink to the connectors of this lamp.

Remove the upper hatch trim panel, 5 push pins hold it in place.

Then remove the old seal, mark the center location along the top edge of the seal first.
then clean along the body seal ridge .
NOTE pay attention to the upper ridge as this is where you will find the most dirt.

If your using the old seal,
wash it with some detergent and scrub it with a small brush,
rinse it off then leave it in the sun to reform for a few hours.

Get a tube of Hondabond 4 and put a bead into the first 4 feet on either side of the center point of the seal, this so you have time to install the seal .
NOTE The HB can drip out if you get too far..
Once you have the top edge installed then work either side to the hatch latch ,
add the HB then put the seal onto the body ridge.

NOTE make sure that you press the seal onto the ridge and that it stays in position .

NOTE if your using the old seal then you may have to squeeze the seal edge together so to reform the metal in the seal groove.

After the seal has been installed then get some Dow Corning 111 and smear this onto the seal,
this will keep the seal soft and thus let it seal out water for a very long time.

Reinstall your upper hatch trim the visors and the lamp.
NOTE if your lamp is melted then replace it.

Then connect the battery.

jwillman

Not sure it is necessary but I pulled the Hatch struts and supported the rear hatch open with a very stout wooden broom stick. This seemed to give me a bit more room at the top.

ajricker

+1^

Ducman82

removing stuff sure makes it easier, but is not necessary. i just always end up doing things that hard way.. LOL. but DO the sealant and the dow 111.

Mrmerlin

FWIW without removing the top trim on the hatch its next to impossible to properly clean and reseat the the top edge of the hatch seal .

Also consider removing the hatch shocks and opening the hatch further may increase the clearance but it may also pull the wire harness out of its home and possibly pinch the wires,
also if the hatch is opened too far the paint may be damaged along the edges.
If you hit the support rod you may also inadvertently close the the hatch on your head.

Ducman82

True that. I replaced mine after the paint job, so it was clean already.