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