To "old volvo owners" it need not be said, but any time we have the door panel off we should be cleaning the debris from the bottom, making sure those drains are clear such that no appreciable amount of water could be trapped inside the door for any length of time.

I was in the doors of my 79 recently to replace the rotten foam speaker surrounds on the 24-year-old originals. Found the old paper vapor barrier in one piece but so fragile it was a jigsaw puzzle by the time I had it out of the car. Made a pattern, like you, but not with my precious homeland security plastic (smile) but some heavy waterproofed kraft paper some parts supplier had used to stuff the box full. Then attached it to the door with a sparingly small amount of that homeland security brand duct tape. Shame on me, I did this a month ago before I knew how valuable these materials would be... Seriously, I figured the paper would be all right if a similar material almost made it 25 years. But those scrapers are shrinking...

A while back, I asked on the board whether anyone had found a replacement source for the extruded rubber that forms the exterior window scrapers. No one responded with any sources.

but I'm asking again because these stupid little strips are very important for longevity. They keep 95% of water that runs down the window from ever getting into the door in the first place.

Sooner or later they harden, crack, and crumble. Then it's all over for the door's innards.

I've been real careful on my 1980. They're split and shrunk, but not actually busted up--yet. Even on the 1992, they're all showing tiny cracks.

Volvo sells replacements (or did a few years ago) but you have to buy the chrome strip that attaches to them, for $62 each. I asked IPD to consider making them--all it would take is a single die cut and a contract with a rubber products fabricator to run off a batch--but they weren't interested.

Somewhere in the world is the original supplier and I bet that plain rubber extrusion is available. The trick is knowing an insider in the auto parts supply chain.

Anyone have a lead on this?

Doug Harvey

That is some good info, thanks....

Jay
84 245 221k