I have an 84 LX convertible. I have been trying to fix leaks by the A pillar for a few years now. I used to have leaks on both sides but I fixed the passenger side. I tried to duplicate my steps on the driver side but to no avail.
First, all weatherstripping on this car has been changed and some of it changed more than once. Heres pics of the actual drips I find after every rain storm. It seems to be dripping from under the side view mirror handle plate.
For a long time I assumed it was the side view mirror handle plat that was leaking but it isnt. After sitting in the car durring a rain storm with a flashlight I saw the drops slowly leak from the connecting point where Run Chanel weatherstrip goes around the side view mirror and mesh's into the A pillar weather strip.
On the passenger side I padded under the run channel (look at first pic, you can see the puffy part where I put foam strip) on the side where it mush's into the A pillar weatherstrip with some foam weatherstrip with self stick adhesive. It worked well on the passenger side so for good measure I ordered and installed brand new run channel weather stripping. I was disappointed at how beat up they got after barely 3 years. And I ordered brand new A pillar weather stripping. this time I got NOS Motorcrafts because anything made of rubber or plastic by Daniel carpenter is guaranteed to be junk.
The passenger side held up after the new weatherstripping was installed. I kept the strip of foam between the side view mirror mount point and the run channel on the inside part of the door to keep the contacts mushing tight. Weeks later, not a drop of water on the passenger side. So I moved on the driver side. copied my steps. put in new run channel and A pillar weather stripping. Also changed the door weatherstripping on both sides too as this is part of the equation when keeping a vert free of air and water leaks. For some reason the driver side still leaks when it rains. My door panel's carton backing turned to mush around the speaker. The speaker is getting rusty all around.
The leak is in the same place its always been in. Since its not physically possible for the side view mirror to leak (I removed it, put butyl all around the contact areas.) I think the A pillar is still allowing water to pass. Look at this pic, You can see the run channel mesh perfectly with the A pillar weatherstrip. This pic was taken with me holding the door until they mushed, When closing the door till it clicks, the contact is perfect.
Now look at the pics of the inside part of the A pillar and Run channel weatherstrips. They are both bone dry on the inside parts that mush's with the window.
I'm out of ideas. Anybody have a suggestion?
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