# How does the roof rail seal install into the retainer?

**URL:** https://59plymouth.net/t/how-does-the-roof-rail-seal-install-into-the-retainer/3936
**Category:** Tech Support
**Created:** [May 10, 2025, 7:31pm UTC](https://59plymouth.net/t/how-does-the-roof-rail-seal-install-into-the-retainer/3936 "2025-05-10T19:31:49Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![V8PunkRocket](https://59plymouth.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@V8PunkRocket](https://59plymouth.net/u/V8PunkRocket)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2025, 7:31pm UTC](https://59plymouth.net/t/how-does-the-roof-rail-seal-install-into-the-retainer/3936/1 "2025-05-10T19:31:49Z")

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I’m a bit confused as to how the roof rail seal slides into its retainer - if that’s what the metal piece is called.

The grooves molded in the rubber aren’t shaped in a way that would allow it to slide into retainer.

I figure it’s one of three things: 1) I’ve got the wrong roof rail seal, 2) I’ve got the wrong metal retainer piece, or 3) the answer is obvious but I’m too oblivious or low-IQ to see it (likely).

Can anyone shed some light?

 ![IMG_3952.jpeg](https://59plymouth.net/uploads/default/original/3X/5/9/59f7ee5433b6ac7028bf08a066e832bf3ec7b2f6.jpeg)

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### Author: ![Faulkner](https://59plymouth.net/user_avatar/59plymouth.net/faulkner/32/21944_2.png) [@Faulkner](https://59plymouth.net/u/Faulkner)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2025, 12:53am UTC](https://59plymouth.net/t/how-does-the-roof-rail-seal-install-into-the-retainer/3936/2 "2025-05-11T00:53:43Z")

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Are we talking about the weatherstrip that pops into the roof rail that screws into the roof, into which the windows roll up? On a previous occasion you post this pic:

 ![Parts 4-6.jpg](https://59plymouth.net/uploads/default/original/3X/f/9/f92eeba7fadcdf17b10f2879ff7ca16e3c8b06e5.jpeg)

Is #4 in this pic, the metal piece you are holding in your hand?

It doesn’t look like mine - I can try to take some pix of mine when I replace the quarter window weatherstripping (my current ones are not flocked, and the window binds when sliding into place. I got flocked ones from Quirey). Perhaps tomorrow? I’ll show you the cross section of my weatherstripping as well.

Dan

P.S. what’s your name?

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### Author: ![V8PunkRocket](https://59plymouth.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@V8PunkRocket](https://59plymouth.net/u/V8PunkRocket)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2025, 2:52pm UTC](https://59plymouth.net/t/how-does-the-roof-rail-seal-install-into-the-retainer/3936/3 "2025-05-11T14:52:26Z")

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Hello Dan,

My name is Brian.

The metal piece I had in my hand is the 1st of the three in the photo (on the right side)

I have 3 metal pieces that look like they go around the roof opening. I do have a manual which shows this image, but I can’t really gleam enough from it to figure out how this weatherstripping installs.

 ![IMG_3963.jpeg](https://59plymouth.net/uploads/default/original/3X/5/d/5d4985919c841ed062160e4900ca74b0fa096c4c.jpeg)

The image of the cross-section of the seal is one of the two styles that came in the box. I’m guessing it’s for the 1/4 window since that doesn’t open and close with a door.

Anyway, yes, any images you have would be very helpful! Thanks so much!

 ![IMG_3964.jpeg](https://59plymouth.net/uploads/default/original/3X/b/1/b1f6fcd98745673de53199c46782c634efd2d465.jpeg)

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### Author: ![Faulkner](https://59plymouth.net/user_avatar/59plymouth.net/faulkner/32/21944_2.png) [@Faulkner](https://59plymouth.net/u/Faulkner)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2025, 5:59pm UTC](https://59plymouth.net/t/how-does-the-roof-rail-seal-install-into-the-retainer/3936/4 "2025-05-11T17:59:49Z")

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Brian,

Here’s a pic of my retainer strip in the car, with the door window weatherstripping pulled out - you’ll notice that the reproduction weatherstripping is in two pieces, the front has a different shape than the rear (the originals were molded in a single piece). Where the quarter window comes in contact with the weatherstrip by moving up, the door window closes onto the weatherstripping:

 ![retainer strip out.jpg](https://59plymouth.net/uploads/default/original/3X/1/8/1818301495080747de752fb3d9176aec91303741.jpeg)  
_weatherstripping out_

 ![retainer strip in.jpg](https://59plymouth.net/uploads/default/original/3X/f/4/f41828c1fd5e3f723781f812e76eef879ce2c2fd.jpeg)  
_weatherstripping in_

Gary Goers used to make the reproduction weatherstripping; Quirey bought his operation, they now sell it - you can find their website [here](https://quireyqualitydesign.com/). In fact, I recently bought flocked quarter sections from them, something I couldn’t get from Gary - the quarter window has a tendency to bind on the weatherstripping without flocking.

Here you can see the different profile of the front and rear weatherstripping - but note that, unlike yours, both of my sections have ears that latch into the grooves of the retainer:

 ![front.jpg](https://59plymouth.net/uploads/default/original/3X/f/1/f138e498541c410f2cfcb7bb1c2fdcbbe4ddc470.jpeg)  
_door window weatherstrip profile_

 ![quarter.jpg](https://59plymouth.net/uploads/default/original/3X/d/b/db982434f702368813814fe52295863719fa97c0.jpeg)  
_quarter window weatherstrip profile_

> [@Brian](#):
>
> The image of the cross-section of the seal is one of the two styles that came in the box.

Which box - was it one that came with the car, or something you purchased? I believe they are incorrect for our application.

Dan

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### Author: ![V8PunkRocket](https://59plymouth.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@V8PunkRocket](https://59plymouth.net/u/V8PunkRocket)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2025, 7:11pm UTC](https://59plymouth.net/t/how-does-the-roof-rail-seal-install-into-the-retainer/3936/5 "2025-05-11T19:11:56Z")

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I believe you may be right. I attached a photo of the ends of both styles of weatherstrip that I have.

I bought these from Andy Bernbaum’s eBay store last November; they are listed as 1957-1959 Dodge/Plymouth 2 door hardtop roof rail weatherstrip. But they definitely differ from yours, so maybe I do have the wrong ones.

I’ll get in touch with Quirey’s this week and perhaps order new ones from them. I need to order some other odds and ends from them anyway.

 ![IMG_3967.jpeg](https://59plymouth.net/uploads/default/original/3X/e/3/e39ac49e88ec7cf69bb4975f9a65c1f5ce344f01.jpeg)
