Rubber Weather Seals Restoration -- Not Thrilled

[SpiderJim]

Hi Folks. Just want to let you know what I have come across replacing all my weather seals etc on my new restoration. I do not normally name a vendor but in this case I am really Peed off with the problems I have had. And yes, I know I should sort it out privately with the vendor and I normally would if it was a minor error or issue. But in this case just about everything I purchased from IAP is crap in regards to fit and installation and it cost me several hundred dollars..

Issues with:

Trunk seal is over sized and lifts the trunk and I have tried everything to adjust it out.
-- Solution put back the old one it fits and makes the trunk look better.

Quarter window seal replacement kit. Again over sized and the sealing lip is to thick so when you finally get the thing installed (1 hr of struggling with lot of Vaseline) the bloody window cannot close!! cause it catches the fat edge. Also the seals are horrid quality and full of injection flash and are not shaped to accommodate the window hinge correctly so you would have to cut and chop to get them to seat
-- Solution put the old one back in it works and looks much better quality.

Door bumper guides. Not very beefy like the originals and had to be sanded on the round edges for the door to close correctly and I do not expect them to last.

The vertical window channel felt is not even close to the correct size. It is to small and obviously sourced from another type of vehicle. I could go on with bad fitting parts but am finished venting for now. I have a ton of stuff from them and now concerned about the rest fitting when I get to them. I know a lot of stuff is no longer available from OEM but I would rather be warned ahead of time so I could make an educated decision.

I'm sure I could call them and return the parts but from Canada it would cost more than the part value for me to send them back. I also got dinged for $50 broker fee by UPS to clear customs then UPS charged me an extra $3 per item over seven items in the shipment. I had twenty something items so got charged a lot of money for crap parts. Just because they will not use USPS to canada!!! and only UPS. Needless to say I have had it with IAP and should have stuck to the supplier I normally use. I know many of you have probably got good parts from them as I have but this is ridiculous.

[So Cal Mark]

I haven't used the IAP rubber, but bought tail light gaskets and vent window gaskets from two other vendors and had the same experience. Really poor workmanship and poor fit. As you wrote, the vent gaskets don't allow the windows to close at all.
We sourced door and trunk weatherstrip directly from a mfg, and it works fine. I don't have an answer for the vent window rubber

[SpiderJim]

I haven't used the IAP rubber, but bought tail light gaskets and vent window gaskets from two other vendors and had the same experience. Really poor workmanship and poor fit. As you wrote, the vent gaskets don't allow the windows to close at all.
We sourced door and trunk weatherstrip directly from a mfg, and it works fine. I don't have an answer for the vent window rubber

Mark... Thanks for the feedback. I re-installed the old ones as they look better than the newer garbage. My trunk still sit a little high at the hinge point even when I remove the seal. Any way of lowering the hinges that I cannot see on an 81??? I certainly hope the IAP rubber did not spring my trunk lid.

[Jimb]

Can't comment on the parts, but as far as who to ship with...I NEVER use UPS. If youl argue with them they will not charge you the $50 clearance fee. That fee has no credibility whatsoever!
There is no paperwork.
Never, never, never use UPS. I don' know of any other shipper who charges this add-on.
Sorry, did I just rant on?
Have your tried buying from Spider-point in Germany?
Jim

[azygoustoyou]

I'm going to need rubber also. So who should I go with?

[SpiderJim]

Hi Jim

Yes, I did get the vertical window felt off them and it was smaller than the original. That is why I purchased a second set from IAP. In fact. Both are sourced from the same MF as they are identical in color, size quality. I just this minute installed a door seal to check the fit and the window glass scrapers look like they are the same size except with no felt just plain rubber. At least the door seal fits.

[MNspiderman]

I don't think its wrong to say if your not happy with a product and let people know where you got it. I once posted a post on an Alfa Website a few months back. Good God, it was like I was satin trying to crucify a holy man. All I said was that I was a Bit disappointed in Centerline because I ordered some radiator hoses, processed the order online, paid online and they never showed up. Well they lost the invoice or the printer jammed or something. I was cool with it. But holy moley there was a hundred post defending Centerline screaming how he is a friend, bla bla bla. How dare I call them out. Pick up the phone, bla bla bla. But that won't stop me from letting people know what I think about their products. Positive or Negative. Hey if nobody ever spoke up we would all buy bad vinyl convertible tops off of eBay, right?

[So Cal Mark]

I didn't see this as bashing a vendor, merely stating that a particular product isn't very good

[manoa matt]

Jim,

You are lucky the vendor you stated is not a member of this site, or have someone trolling the site.

This is a story that I've held my tongue on for some time, but now I feel its appropriate to tell.

A few months ago tried to warn a forum member about a potential problem with a product, since I already have the product and have gone through the experience. I bought the product, not from the vendor, but from a guy locally and it was new when I got it. In the post I never mentioned the vendor's name and neither did the other forum member.

The next day president of that company called me at work, and he stated: "We searched through our computer and looked through all your past orders. We have no record of you ever ordering that part from us, are you sure that you have our product?

I replied: Yes I'm sure that I have your product, and it is flawed as I described in my post.

He replied: "Well, we've sold over 500 of these items and have never had a complaint, you should not be making such claims on a public forum and we don't want you to bad mouth our products. If you had a problem with our product why did you not contact us about it?"

I replied: I don't want to bad mouth your company, and that is not what I'm set out to do, I only want to inform the other forum member that the product has a flaw and that he should expect it to not perform as you state on your website. I find it hard to believe you never had a complaint regarding that product. By the way, how are you going to rectify the problem with a product of yours that I did not directly buy from you? You will just deny the item I have is not your product.

I also tried to explain to him the definition of a "Forum" A place where people can come together and openly discuss various topics, products, and procedures without censorship or influences.

I informed him that I routinely direct other forum members to their website or products; I have placed many many orders in the past. Spent thousands of dollars, and have been very happy with the services they provide to me and the Fiat community. I went on to state that if they had researched all my past orders they would see I routinely place multiple orders of parts and for various years. I work on and help maintain 5-6 local spiders out here on the island. They would not only be losing my business, but potential business form 5-6 other fiat owners.

During our conversation I was polite but firm and only stated the facts that I know. My comments fell on deaf ears. What I took from the conversation was that he was more concerned about the company image and selling products, than listening to constructive criticism regarding the quality and longevity of the product, also a complete disregard for a long time customer, who has directed a lot of business their way.

After this transgression the vendor replies to the post admitting their product has a "minor" flaw that should be expected.

There are several other new parts vendors that have come up within the past 2 years that offer better quality parts, bigger selection, much better prices, ship via USPS, and have the best customer service of any vendor I've ever dealt with. I was starting to lean towards the new vendors anyway and he gave me the final push. And therefore, due to his actions (The president of the company) I will never order another part from that vendor, for myself, or anyone I know.

This is an open forum, and last time I checked freedom of speech was still a right I have.

[engineerted]

I purchased all of these items 5 years ago from Bruces Parts bin, no issues at all, fit and quality were excellent! But as i stated that was 5 years ago, give him a call who knows. As for IAP, I will keep my comments to myself as not to bash any one vendor.

http://www.fiatparts.com/

Ted

[Fiat88]

I bought door weatherstriping from IAP and the fit was very good.

[SpiderJim]

Well I guess it all comes down to the batch that is the best deal for the vendor. I have spent a couple of thousand with this vendor in the last four months and about the same with another who I have no complaints about. The only reason that used IAP for the rubbers is that they have pictures on the website so you can better identify with the description. I would have much preferred to go with the other one as they are a little cheaper and deliver USPS to Canada.

Checkout the mold flashing left on the part. It is all over and would have to be trimmed. The back part of the rubber that is behind the glass as a cavity not like the original so will look like garbage,



The rubber is about a 1/4" to 3/8" to long so must be compressed into the frame then you get this going on. Even when seated like this you cannot close the window due to the fat lip and this would have to be trimmed with a chamfer and may still not close so it is absolutely crap and I think it is off an Alpha or similar?



I put back my originals as they are superior in quality even after being 29 years old. I have looked at the rest of the parts and they are all slightly off but at least usable except the trunk seal and vertical channel guides. Sending me this garbage they do not even deserve the chance to make right. One issue maybe but half the order!!!

[SpiderJim]

Just installed the window scrapers and at least these are the same size. Just wish they had the felt on them like the originals. I hope the window glides easy once I get the doors assembled. Also purchased a new trunk lock and installed it. Guess what? Much longer than the original and jambs against the frame. Did not help that the lock keys fell out all over the floor!. Managed to find and figure out the combination and got the lock to work. Anyone installing locks watch out for this. Once the lock plate is off the tumbler it falls out. Finally figured that I could have dropped the lock in and placed the nut and washer on without taking it apart except I had to reverse it like I just described derrr. Minor mod's but got it working good.

[4babycar]

I am sorry to hear that anyone is having trouble with a particular part or a vendor. I would implore you to contact IAP about your current part issues. I can honestly say that they have some of the best customer service of any company that I have worked with Fiat or otherwise. I also think highly of Vicks and the former Performance Fiat (I haven't used PF since the sale, or any other vendors.... yet). IAP is not perfect and some prices are higher then others and their shipping is also higher but the customer service that I have received from them has been far greater than anything that I could have ever expected. Give them a chance to make it right.

FYI - I know that at least one member of their staff is a member here.

[ga.spyder]

I am sure all the vendors will have issues here and there.It is how they handle these problems that seperate them.I try to spread my business around,as I would hate to see any of them go away.I do agree w/ Michael about customer service from IAP.They are honorable and a pleasure to work with.I am sure they would have made good on Jim's parts but I do understand about the shipping from Canada.
Craig