David
We have a 2013 Landmark San Antonio also with the wiper seals tore on the outside and the inside of the bedroom on both sides. I have the same rivet screw you have facing towards the slide. What did you end up doing to replace the seals. All other seals are in good shape Thanks
richard Sonnier
richard19@gt.rr.com
Hi Richard. I just realized that I never followed up on this repair like I said I would. So here it is.
I ordered five feet of the
RecPro RV Slide Out Replacement Seal from Amazon, along with some
3M Primer 94. I'd used the primer previously when I mounted some LED strip lights--it helps ensure a good seal for the self-adhesive strip.
First, I used a box-cutter to trim off the old wiper seal flush with the metal plate that held it in place. I then gently peeled the thick rubber gaskets around the retract cables from the RV body, and left them on the cables. Finally, I thoroughly cleaned the outward-facing surface of the RV body, between the bulb seal and the slide-out, first with some 409, and then with rubbing alcohol, and let it dry.
I then cut the new seal to length, leaving a couple inches extra on the bottom, and test fit it, with the top of the new seal butted up against the existing top wiper. The RecPro wiper is almost an inch wider than the OEM wiper, so I was a little worried about whether that would be a problem, but it turned out not to be.
I marked the locations where the two retraction cables would need to pass through the new seal, and then carefully cut a slit in the seal at those spots, starting on the mounting edge (not the wiper edge) and going the distance to where the cables come out of the RV body. I test fit it again. Then I used a drill to slightly enlarge the holes at the end of the slits where the cables would pass through, and test-fit it once more.
I then applied the 3M Primer to the entire area where the adhesive would be. I think I used two tubes. After it dried for a couple minutes, I peeled paper backing off the adhesive strip and began applying it from the top. I did the top section, down to the first cable, initially, and made sure it was positioned properly. (With that 3M primer, you cannot reposition the adhesive strip once it's on, so be careful.) Then I peeled and applied the middle strip, down to the bottom cable. Finally, I trimmed the bottom of the wiper seal to the right length, and applied the bottom strip.
I originally thought I would replace those rubber gaskets on top of the new seal. But then I realized that the thickness of the new seal would serve the same purpose, making the gaskets unnecessary, so I just tore them off.
I waited until the next day to test it out, to make sure the adhesive had time to set--not sure if that was necessary or not. I ran the slide in and out a couple of times while I watched from outside to be sure that the new seal didn't buckle or get hung up where it slightly overlaps the window frame. It worked fine, so I decided I didn't need to trim it.
The installation has held up well since then. There's been no obvious wear on the new seal, and the adhesive is still holding strong.
Hope that helps!
David