S4 DHC door rain rubbers

[miked]

This is no big deal but a niggle, any advice appreciated.

The funny little rubbers strips with tiny ally strips that fit under the body near the top door hinges! I fitted mine but found that the RH one caught on the top of the door. I am reluctant to drop the door as the gap beneath is not very big. I did evrything except the fibre glass/paint and the door positions were set by the paint guy who is a pro'. Also it will mess up the line of my sprint stripes. I had to drill the rivots out and remove the right one due to catching. I figure these rubbers must act as a guide to run the rain away from the internal door rubber and onto the top of the door area and away.

Is there a better/alternate way of doing this way such as a neat line of black silicone to achieve the same thing. When I was out in summer I was in a big down pour and the only place I had water in the car was on my right trouser leg. large amount too!

Also when these are fitted are they set so they are inside of that gutter line on the top of the door or just over it.

thanks mike

[nebogipfel]

Easy solution ...................

Do as I do; Never take the Elan out in the rain

[rgh0]

Mike
I never had these on my S4 from new as far as I can tell as there is no sign of any holes where they could have ever been mounted. I have never had any problems with water getting in the door at that point.

Save the weight and leave them off like Lotus did on my car !!

I still get a wet right leg in very heavy rain but its from water dripping down the hole where the accelerator cable comes through into the footwell.

Rohan

[nebogipfel]

They were a later mod' from the factory. I'm not sure when they came in but they're not a very elegant solution to the problem. I'm pretty sure I remember seeing a factory service bulletin somewhere, if someone on the forum has a copy it may answer your question.

I think the problem of leaks at that point is made worse by the fact that Elans tend to be quite gappy at the top of the door.

Having said that it sounds like your door gap is quite small so you may just have to live with the problem.

If I remember correctly there was also a problem with water running into the door and then coming out past the door card because it didn't get away fast enough. Lotus' solution was a tube from the drain hole in the top front of the door to a drain hole in the bottom thus ducting it away. I think this was also covered in a service bulletin at the time.

[miked]

John & Rohan,

Thanks for replies. I do not go out in the rain as a rule but last year got caught twice in one of those really heavy cloud bursts we seem to have lately. So I guess the bit about the water not getting away is valid., only happens in realy heavy rain. It did actually come out from under the door card. I will have a toot and play with a watering can in better weather. I must admit it was quite chuffed as the rain hammered down I me and me and the wife were dry, until if burst onto my leg.

regards Mike

Xmas greeting to all and hope you all get you Lotus presents and tools. I am very sad, alway give list of car type items/tools to the wife incase the inlaws wonder what to buy.