Trunk (seal/weatherstrip) not closing

[VikDasor]

Dear All,

I have just had my car come back from a full paint job and as I have started to put her back together and I have come across an issue with the trunk seal. I test fitted (without adhesive) seal couple of times and the seal fits perfectly well and tight and sits in the channel as it should.

The issue I am having is that the trunk lid cannot be closed and if I force it down then it sits high at the back end.

The new seal I had bought was on eBay and it was advertised as old new stock and genuine MB seal. Now I am thinking It could well be aftermarket product but the quality and the way it fits is superb.

My problem is that the trunk lid is not closing and I have had no issues prior with trunk closing with the old seal in situ.

I did read some old posts on the forum from but they are more related to which adhesive to use and how to glue the seal down.

Any suggestions please.

Thanks

[Vander]

Post a picture of how the seal is installed. A lot of time people install it upside down, it should be open side up, curved to the side.

[VikDasor]

I have tried fitting the seal both ways but the problem still persists.

[66andBlue]

Take a look at these discussions and make sure that the top part of the seal is almost horizontal.
It also helps if you install the seal without glueing it on, close the trunk and let it sit for a few days/weeks until it adjusts.
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=14415
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=26270

[Pawel66]

I went through the same struggle. I had a seal from MB (always buy rubber at Mercedes if possible). I went through all possible trunk lid adjustments and replacing parts of lock.

Someone told me it will settle over time and the lid will be easier to close. And it did.

The edge of the seal that acts against the lid is quite soft and it gave way a bit over time. But I was sure I had a proper seal and it was glued in properly.

[stickandrudderman]

Also add rubber lubricant spray to the seal.

[VikDasor]

Thanks to all that replied.

Attached are some pictures in case I’m doing something wrong 

[VikDasor]

For some reason the system is not allowing me to add multiple photos

[Vander]

It appears to be upside down, the seal is sticking up. Take the bottom left corner, and flip it 180 degrees so it is now on the bottom right. and take the passenger side and put it on the driver side. It needs to be more concave.

[VikDasor]

I had it liked that yesterday but i was still struggling. I will do this again later as suggested and report back.


I

It appears to be upside down, the seal is sticking up. Take the bottom left corner, and flip it 180 degrees so it is now on the bottom right. and take the passenger side and put it on the driver side. It needs to be more concave.

[Vander]

I am doing mine later this week, so if you don't figure it out before then I will take some pictures.

[VikDasor]

Would this be correct installation

[VikDasor]

Rear of the trunk sits quiet high when the trunk is closed with some force

[zoegrlh]

Some years ago I replaced my original trunk seal with a MB seal. It too made my trunk close very hard. I too wondered what should I do t  ok resolve this problem. The Classic Center said to place painters tape (blue) along the seal and make the seal tip to bend downward, the. The trunk would close easy. They were correct, the trunk closed as it should. Then they said to keep the trunk closed for several weeks, which I did, the. To remove the painters tape and the tip of the seal molded into to correct position for the proper seal of the trunk.

[VikDasor]

Thanks Robert, I will certainly try that trick too.

[lreppond]

My experience was identical to Pawel and Robert.  The replacement seal was purchased from MB but when first installed I had a devil of a time closing the trunk lid.  I’d have to really slam it to get it to catch.  As time passed the rubber became slightly compressed and now the lid closes perfectly when no slamming or extra force required.  It’s also water tight which was the reason to replace it.  When closed, however, even immediately after replacing it it never stood proud as you've experienced.  If your trunk lid was removed for painting perhaps it’s slightly out of alignment now?

[zoegrlh]

That’s a good point Len.

[VikDasor]

Thanks Len, the trunk was removed for painting perhaps I will try to adjust that a little. Seem to having the same issues on the door seals too and they are all new genuine MB seals.

I suppose it’s going to take its time to settle.

My experience was identical to Pawel and Robert.  The replacement seal was purchased from MB but when first installed I had a devil of a time closing the trunk lid.  I’d have to really slam it to get it to catch.  As time passed the rubber became slightly compressed and now the lid closes perfectly when no slamming or extra force required.  It’s also water tight which was the reason to replace it.  When closed, however, even immediately after replacing it it never stood proud as you've experienced.  If your trunk lid was removed for painting perhaps it’s slightly out of alignment now?

[Pawel66]

If you had your trunk lid out for painting, you may want to pay extra attention to sealing of the emblems holes. Otherwise you will end up with water in the trunk and we will have another thread „Water in the trunk”.

There are small seals there for emblems studs, you can buy them from Mercedes.

[VikDasor]

If you had your trunk lid out for painting, you may want to pay extra attention to sealing of the emblems holes. Otherwise you will end up with water in the trunk and we will have another thread „Water in the trunk”.

There are small seals there for emblems studs, you can buy them from Mercedes.

Thanks for that Pawel, I would have missed those rings. They are now on my purchase list.