Seals Under Front Fenders

[Groundhog]

What type of seals are people putting back under the front guards. 

There is the remains of some foam rubber type seals under my guards and a couple of small squares on top of the inner fender that are completely perished.
I want to replace with something that won't hold moisture and will seal

What width and thickness material have people used?

 

[MichaelT]

Baby seals are best

They are more compliant than adult ones....whose bones are much stronger.

 

 

[GongZ]

Take a look at this topic;

http://www.classiczcars.com/topic/45314-front-fender-support-panel/

"The Nissan gaskets #4 and #30 are NLA and you would not want to use them anyway as they were open-cell foam that held water and contributed to the rust problems. I used 5/16 thick X 3/4 wide closed-cell foam weatherstrip for these two spots - a perfect seal when the fender was bolted up."

 

There is also a rubber seal that runs along the top and is held in place with clips;

 

These are available from suppliers such as the Z Store;

Inner Fender Weatherstrip, 70-78 240Z-260Z-280Z US $29.95 each (2 Required)

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/34-1221

 

Inner Fender Weatherstrip Clips, 70-78 240Z-260Z-280Z US$6.10 each (12 required)

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/classic03a02/40-3972

 

[Cozza]

Is that your car GongZ?

[gilltech]

Eric you've inspired me to remove the front guards on mine to inspect beneath, first time in about 25yrs.

The foam pads on the 4 x 'table' brackets on top of the upper chassis rail are 8mm thick x 36mm wide.

The remnants of the 2 x vertical strips look to be about the same thickness.

[GongZ]

Is that your car GongZ?

 

I wish that it was, and I would like the garage included too please.

 

The photo is from "2009 240Z build";

http://forums.nicoclub.com/2009-240z-build-t403961-840.html

[gilltech]

Regarding the foam strips, I called in to Clarke Rubber today and they do a 9.5mm thick closed cell black foam strip in various widths; close enough to the 8mm I measured earlier. According to the specs it is supposed to be very weather resistant so I take that to mean that it really is 'closed cell'.

Whereas the product sold at Bunnings for door/window weatherstripping and advertised by the manufacturer as 'closed cell' is nothing of the sort as it takes up water to the point of saturation, I know as I've used it as a threshold seal on my garage door.

[CBR Jeff]

I have been doing some research while I’m recovering from knee replacements for the jobs I have on my list that I can do during the upcoming 8 week of light duties at home. The purchase, manufacturer and installation of the foam and rubber strips in this section of the car. 

My current plan is to use an armerflex product that is used in the refrigeration industry. It’s basically a closed cell foam tape with adhesive on one side. It’s durable and should replace both the horizontal strips on the splash shield, the strip on the inner fender splash shield and the stops (spacers) on the top of the body under the fender. 

I found this thread with lots of good information and as quite a few is us are at a similar build stage thoughts it was worth asking what you are all planning on doing?

 

Jeff

[AndBir]

6 hours ago, CBR Jeff said:

worth asking what you are all planning on doing?

I ended up using a D-Section seal from Clark Rubber for the splash guard to fender seal and fender to body seals.

As mentioned on the older posts the other EPDM rubber extrusions should be suitable the choice of which one may depend on what gap you have.

[KatoKid]

I didn't install the steel "baffle" as its described or any of the seals. Prefer to be able to access these areas and clean out easily as required.

 

 

[AndBir]

8 hours ago, KatoKid said:

access these areas and clean out easily as required.

Yes, unfortunately the designers left a gap at the top (between the fender and body & splash shield) and the small "mud" flap at the bottom may not remain fully sealed either over time. Both these gaps will allow accumulation of dirt etc behind the splash guard.

[CBR Jeff]

Thanks Andy and Dave

I am going to install the shields as I’m sure their prime function is to stop road pickup from damaging the actual fender section behind. I have made some new v shaped lower rubber flaps for the bottom of the shield and after this I think I’ll look at making something for the top. My shell had a lot of corrosion along the top of the upper rail from wet build up and water logging as the drain holes were blocked. I was thinking about setting all of this up so it’s not to hard to remove the fender every now and then to give it a good clean and a check. 

Ill keep you posted with what I do. 

Jeff

[CBR Jeff]

I said I would post what I ended up doing with the splash guard and the rubber strips on either side of them. The contact is only on one side so once the guard is removed the splash guard will unbolt and separate from the body easily if required. 

Jeff