Front wheelarch seals

[Roger K]

Could some kind person post a photo or description of how the rubber seal is arranged at the rear of the front wheelarch on a GT6 Mk3, where it touches the front of the footwell box?  I'm interested in getting the clips etc. right where the seal is clipped to the metal arch.

Thanks, Roger

[Pete Lewis]

https://www.canleyclassics.com/?catalogue=triumph-gt6-mkiii&diagram=triumph-gt6-mkiii-bonnet-catch-hinge-attachment-details-and-sealing-rubbers

shows 18  so 9 per side  ...sounds a lot they  are just equi spaced 

Pete

[Roger K]

Thanks Pete - I can't tell from the diagram which way around they go - is the rubber held on the front of the wheelarch, or the back?  I'd have thought the back, as the water will be running down the metal and probably shouldn't be able to get behind the rubber...

[Colin Lindsay]

You would think they go behind the metal to prevent water getting in and the two metal panels possibly making contact but, no, they go on the inside of the wheelarch and just hang down against the bulkhead.

[Pete Lewis]

gosh trying to remember ,i would think they fit on the back of the arch , I took mine off and didnt bother with them 

sorry its a few years ago now      OE parts list for vitesse shows 20 clips 

Pete                       

[johny]

I think the wheel arch seam comes down the outside of the arch so prevents the rubber seal from being fitted on that side. It could have a notch cut in it to fit I suppose but they dont come like that so as standard have to be installed on the inner face of the arch....

[Roger K]

I think you're right.  Looking at the tattered remains of the old ones (which I really should have photographed before removing), there's no notch for the flanged seam.

[PeteH]

Took the remains of mine off the front side of the wheel arch. "logic" would dictate they should be on the rear. But hey? when did anything run on logic?. Hang them on the front to collect all the wet crap and hold it against the steel for 40+ years?.

Pete

[johny]

One thing Peter, I dont think you'll find the rubber seals available these days will last a couple of years let alone 40! I got so fed up I bought a square of EPDM stuff and cut my own (in two pieces for economy👍) which has lasted much better....

[chrishawley]

Yup, it's 9 clips. And, yes, they fit on the wheel arch side so better though of as deflectors rather than seals.

The 'ear' on the rubber should tuck on to the corner of the wheel arch. Even with the most careful fitting they're never that neat; they never were!

I have a metal template I can loan to anyone who wants to make their own. I used 2mm mess reinforced rubber - much tougher that the feeble reproductions from most suppliers.

[Roger K]

Thanks all.  2mm nylon reinforced rubber sheet now ordered on t'bay...

[johny]

I think they do reduce spray going up over the bulkhead shelf but is it painful watching the paint come off as you push those clips into place!

[PeteH]

19 minutes ago, johny said:

I think they do reduce spray going up over the bulkhead shelf but is it painful watching the paint come off as you push those clips into place!

I wonder if "bonding" with adhesive would work better?. Just thinking, (nothing better to do until lockdown ends)

Pete

[RogerH]

Hi Folks,

I have no idea of the structure (I have a 4A - quite different) but is it possible to fit RivNuts.  You need about 1/2" on the rear face clearance 

You do have to drill holes but these can be done very cleanly ad the protected.

Then all you need are the holes i the rubber.  Easy to remove for cleaning/replacing every fortnight.

I have done this on my wheel arch liners and it works well.

Roger

[Roger K]

Hi Roger, that would work. It would be best to have a steel strip over the rubber, screwed into the Rivnuts, to avoid pinching where the screw pulls into the rubber. Starting to get into overkill territory again perhaps, but the factory metal clips do make the rubber sit flat if set carefully. 

[NonMember]

1 hour ago, RogerH said:

I have no idea of the structure (I have a 4A - quite different) but is it possible to fit RivNuts.

I suspect not for putting the rubber in the factory position, as the rivnuts will protrude from the outside of the arch at a point where it swings very close to the bulkhead as the bonnet is closed (unless you have large panel gaps!) It might work for larger bits of rubber fixed higher up, and using RogerK's steel strip to stop it flapping about.

[Colin Lindsay]

1 hour ago, NonMember said:

I suspect not for putting the rubber in the factory position, as the rivnuts will protrude from the outside of the arch at a point where it swings very close to the bulkhead as the bonnet is closed 

There's actually very little room behind the arches when closed, so anything that protrudes, like a rivnut, won't fit. Even a standard rivet might hit the bulkhead when closing. Bonding with PU1 or Tigerseal would work.

[RogerH]

22 minutes ago, Colin Lindsay said:

There's actually very little room behind the arches when closed, so anything that protrudes, like a rivnut, won't fit. Even a standard rivet might hit the bulkhead when closing. Bonding with PU1 or Tigerseal would work.

Thanks for that. I suspected it may be tight. But I do not really have a clue about these cars.

 

Roger

[wimpus]

I've fitted seals like on the doors to my wheel arch.

 

Works great and lots better then those rubber 'flaps'..

 

[Pete Lewis]

yes I used a similar on the Vit6 when i had her 

if nothing else it helps whacking your head on the sharp edge if you dont duck 

Pete

[PeteH]

A short length cut from the "best" of the old door seals?. Hmm?, never considered that?.

Pete