Thread: Rain water is running down into my doors. What do I do?

like leaks between the door seal and car body into the car? if so you need new weather stripping on the door.

the stripping has little rubber pins that push into little holes in the door frame, remove the old, install the new. pretty simple.

Originally Posted by Centauri

I don't think so, it seems like all of the water I pour is making its way to the ground eventually.

I've just never seen this before because the strips don't even look that bad.

it can leak into the door frame hinge side if it leaking out the bottom of the door when you hose just the door frame.

the sun roof drains are also in the door hinge side, look by the lower hinge theres a rubber tube sticking out.

where in the door? inside the car like the window switches get wet? or down the out side of the glass? and leaks out the bottom of the door its self?

im confused.

it happens. but thats the out side window molding, theres not much of a seal there once the rubber part that rides the window is worn out cracked or un flexible.

if you open the door at the handle side end is a cap, under the cap is a screw, loosen the side view mirror lift the back up a bit, and pull back and it will unhook.

pretty sure the dealer may sell them new. or try to find a used set if its bothering you enough.

I'm late to the party but have the answer- gimmie a minute to write it... just found this

Originally Posted by Centauri

Is this just something normal that I should ignore? I just don't want this jacking up my speakers/other-electrical.

I'm just looking at my Taurus, which is even older and beaten up, and not a drop of water can get down into the door from the outside because of the way the seals are designed.

your speakers are in a plastic shield that covers them on the back side.

nice gap like mine? lol these are so dried up they are pointless. the plastic paint on them also cracked and peeled, so i took it all off and painted all 4. after the painting pic.

Originally Posted by Centauri

Is this just something normal that I should ignore?

Yes. The bottom exterior molding of a car door's moveable glass is commonly referred to as a belt molding or reveal molding. Designs differ widely but in everything I have worked on, rain and wash water drainage is designed in this method:

Light and medium rainfall should not enter the interior, however pressure washing and hard rain with the car parked at an angle are not warranty-able leakage scenarios.

That being said, no belt molding is intended to stop all water. Just most of it. Some might call it a window sweep, and thats an appropriate term and description as well.

Drains exist at the bottom of the door shell. In many cases, these are holes in the metal with a rubber insert to keep dusy from ascending into the door while at the same time allowing any standing water in the door shell to drain. These drains must be clear, sound like your are but periodically check them like maybe twice a year as maintainence.

The "weather liner" is the final barrier. The plastic or coated papaer sheet behind the door panel that lots of folks toss out. It must be water-tightly sealed at the sides and bottom, to the door shell. Careful examination of the door shell will reveal the water flow path intended within the liner.

Everything outboard of the weather liner is designed to operate in an environment where moisture is present. From there inboard, it is not. Dismissed, do your homework!

I re-read that and well, it could be more clear and have less typos but the main fact is that the interior technically doesn't start until you're in past the door trim panel. So inside the door qualifies as exterior if that makes sense. Not an issue unless drains become clogged

Thanks very much for the thorough explanation. 😎

So it's not something to freak out about immediately but I may want to replace the 'belt molding' at some point anyways, especially for the drivers door.

Any place else I can get it than the Sears link above? RockAuto is coming up blank.

dealer may sell them, not gonna be cheap tho. morads may have them in good shape used. or a good old junk yard finds are out there.