Bailey Channel

[Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius]

I need to replace the bailey channel in the FE, but the budget doesn't stretch to $80 per door.
Can I use the "generic" bailey channel or is the metal required for some reason?

[FC-V8]

Stinky
            I used the HQ type bailey channels( no metal) in my wagon they are available from rares & Clark rubber at about half the cost of the original type. Easy to install & I have had no problems with them shifting when winding the windows up or down.
There is 2 different sizes that you use to do a door, I will check on the samples I have at home & let you know the Item numbers that Rare spares uses.
Cheers
Glenn

[Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius]

Thanks Glenn, greatly appreciated.

[EJ_Dave]

Glen (Stinky). I used HQ bailey channels in my EJ instead of the expensive original type with the chrome edges too. They work pretty well but make winding the windows pretty hard. I thought they'd loosen up after a while but 4 years of daily use later, they're still pretty stiff.

Has anyone else noticed this? Ive been concerned about the extra strain on the winding mechanism.

Cheers,

Dave

[nicko]

gday Dave,
go and buy yourself some graphite powder from auto parts place and squirt down window channels in rubber .
cheers Nick

[fcfromscratch]

Hi guys,

I too used the HQ type channel in my FC....I used spray on silicone lubricant for the narrower section that goes in the division channel to make the winding easier....with one of those applicator tubes you can "saturate" the felt/fabric with the liquid silicone and get a good dose applied without getting it on the paint...

worked for me, could be a little less messy that graphite, but I'm sure graphite would work too....

regards....Brad

[Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius]

Got it sorted today after a few visits to local Clark Rubber stores I ended up at Restorer's Hotline (Rare Spares SA).
They told me that it's best to use the original beaded channel for the quarter window and they supplied 2 packs of LX-UC Coupe window channel. Cost me a tad under $130 to do all four doors.
The windows are still hard to wind, but at least they don't make the grinding noise they used to.
Anyone know where to get graphite powder?

[graham_fuller]

hi Glenn,
Try your local Locksmith for graphite powder.
Cheers,
Graham

[customFC]

Hey Glenn.
You should be able to get it at your Hardware store.
Regards
Alex

[Spinner]

You can also buy graphite powder at your local hobby shop.

[Martin]

Glenn,

The problem with graphite powder is that it's dirty black stuff that can end up in a mess - lead pencils are made of graphite (well, they were back in the old days).  Image pencil lead powder all over the place   :(.

I use graphite powder in door lock key holes - it's good slippery stuff (hence the above reference to a locksmiths for some).

I had very stiff window winders in my everyday car and, like fcfromscratch, use silicone lubricant (spray can from most car parts places) liberally on the channels.  Now they do up & down like a dream.  Give the channels a bloody good squirt before you install them.

Martin