Hatch seal

[Jordan Y.]

How do you put a rear hatch seal on? Does it need any sealant?

I bought a new one because my old one was all torn up, it wasn't the source of my water leak but I want to install it anyway (true source was a bad rear wiper grommet now cured by ripping out the wiper/motor and plugging it with a rear floorpan plug). I put it on but it was too tight at the top corners, I tried looking at the old one and from the overspray patterns it seems like the side with two small notches goes at the bottom/back of the car, and the notches go on the outside. Is that right?

[Jordan Y.]

There was a total lack of information about this in the fsm, and in several searches. I took a look at the old one and the crappy paint job's overspray patterns and for future reference, the two notches in the seal should be at the back of the car at the bottom, and the holes in the seal should all be on the inside. Just a kind of stupid "look at it before you take it off" thing, not sure it would make a difference in sealing anyway, but it fit better after I put it back on the way I have it now.