Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) New Car

Folks,
If you go into the photos again and select the one of the cockpit. then select "Original" size. This will enlarge the photo so you can see the sponge bit very well - you can also scroll over to the door and you'll see where the other bit is on the sidescreen!

The Lotus is my son's 2003 S2 Elise -- it is a standard car.

Cheers!

Thanks Robbie

yes - I can see it now. It's actually quite thick and looks soft. Presumably it compresses well, otherwise it would force the top seal upwards and away from the windscreen frame. That area does let water in, interestingly more when parked than when moving in the case of my car.

Do you have an additional, soft rubber insert inside the front hood seal U-channel?

Nigel

Yes,
It was factory fitted. Steve Simmonds looked at it and remarked that it was a change he noted around about April last. It seems to be a ribbed sponge about1/8inch thick

Cheers!

I'll knock some up out of 4mm standard density neoprene. I've just fitted some (HD Polyethylene) 'neoprene' water deflectors down the sides of the screen frame. I'll post the pictures when I've perfected the sidescreen seals - which is a good idea Robbie. I've had rain bubbling up at the join when 'at speed'. It hits the mirror plinth and is deflected upwards by the air pressure. It then presents as a frothing pool around the front sidescreen fastener. Fascinating to watch, as it never spills over inside the car, but I should really be watching the road.
The factory makes good use of neoprene. Although 'the subject of this discussion' looks like sponge, it's almost cetainly standard density closed cell neoprene. On top of the frames it looks thicker than 4mm, so I might have to laminate two pieces together!
You'll find 3mm standard density down the inside edge of the frame where the sidescreens make contact, and the gasket between the frame ends & bulkhead looks to be the same.

Dave - do you have any ideas on how to make the top of the sidscreens fit more snugly to the windscreen supports? Mine look like they need bending in a little. It would also stop them rattling. Does this require dsimantling and then bending the s/s strips?

Nigel

Nigel,
I have the same problem. I looked at changing the angle of the supporting strips ( the ones with the recess for the knurl scews) but these strips on my car aren't s/s, more of a mild steel with a 'Hammerite' type finish. and I was worried that if I tried to bend them I'd crack the finish.

Dave,
Steve Simmonds replaced the standard sponge on the inside edges of the frame where the side-screens make contact, with the same ribbed foam as is on the inside of the channel -- I'll take a few piccies to-morrow. The factory stuff seemed much too soft and was already being squeezed apart by the side-screens. The replacement is much better(good old Steve!!!!)

Cheers!

You should be able to bend the sidescreen supports, but take great care. Lay them on the floor over a timber former and apply gentle pressure. Mine are a tight fit to the screen frame but from the side, the sidescreen leading edge diverges from the screen angle at the top. In other words the screen ought to be slightly more raked. I'm about to start a new post on my water deflectors so you might be able to see that in the pictures.

Dave,
I plan to bend mine via a timber 'former' and a small but very accurate hydraulic presser/clamp to which I have access. My major worry is cracking the finish and, if I do, then I'll either detach or isolate the strips, shot blast and re-finish.
Do you have any thoughts about the tensile strength of the strips? doesn't exactly look the best quality kit to me.

regards,
G

If the paint might crack, then there are two possibilities. Either gentle heat - hairdryer maybe, or test a small patch with 'surface leveller' which is basically thinners. The second option is more likely to soften the finish, but if it really is 'Hammerite' it will probably crack. Having said that, the inside of the curve is facing inside the car so it might just be OK. I think there will be sufficient strength to bend it enough. Don't overdo it, or the closing of the door might eventually cause a stress fracture. (Like the MGB quarterlight doorskin crack).