Rubber parts - different prices for different qualities ?

[Philippe M. Ruel]

Now that the front of my '52 is dismantled after it was involved in an accident, I am looking for many new rubber parts, because original ones cannot decently be re-used upon re-assembly.

All Cadillac specialists that I found on the Internet or that are recommended on this forum (Steele Rubber, Rubber The Right Way, Caddy Daddy, plus some eBay sellers) have similar - and very high in my opinion - prices, that lead to a 4-figure bill for what my car needs.

As an example, tiny light bucket grommets are listed at $7.50 or $7.80 each, and I need 2 pairs (headlights and fog lights).
I found the same part in Three-Five Chevrolet specialists catalogs for as low as $4 a pair (they were used on Chevies up to 1956).

Do these different prices correspond to different qualities, or is it just an effect of the high-luxury Cadillac coat of arms ? I found the same grommets listed at $7.50 each as soon as the name "Corvette" is involved (another high-end model in collectors' minds).

I am wondering if other (or even most) rubber parts are interchangeable between GM brands, and if anyone here has been satisfied by going elsewhere.

[Pat MacPhail]

Philippe,
There many different sources for the same or similar parts and I think you are on the right track. Check all the Chev,Buick and Olds sites first and they will generally have the same parts for less. Sometimes you will have to step up to the plate and buy from Steele/Rubber the right way. You can pay $4.00 a foot for weatherstripping or get something similar for .50 a foot.
Search these companies...Wefco,Clean Seal.
Cheers,Pat

[Phil Taylor]

One thing you may consider, having replaced every piece of rubber in my 38, is this.
I too was at bay at some of the cost from Steele. but there products are vary good. Not wanting to pay there price for door weather striping I ordered from Kanter for somewhat less. However, when it arrived, is was drop shipped from Steele.  I would guess its a volumn thing they can pass on to the users.

Phil

[Caddy Wizard]

I share your pain.  I spent almost $3K on the rubber for my last 49 6107 fastback.  The whole package came in a box about the size of a banker's box!  $3K for that little bit of rubber?  Someone is gouging the heck out of us.


I am definitely on the lookout for cheaper parts for my new 49 fastback and my current 56 FW.  Chevy parts are made in such high volumes that the prices are much lower.  So if you can find the same part in a Chevy application, the difference in price is more likely to be volume-related, rather than quality.  I am certainly looking for these kinds of bargains...

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

I must admit that there are only a few things that I resent paying top dollar for on our cars - rubber being the main one, it costs a fortune, why? I know that natural rubber is an expensive thing , but aren't the rubber parts on our cars made from some synthetic blend. If rubber was priced like that by its weight imagine how much a tyre would cost !!!!
Phil

[cadillacman]

Hi, when i restored my 49 Cadillac, I used Steele for everything as i was replacing most parts i was a bit cheeky and asked for a discount !

[Terry Cox #26379]

one other place the now sells weatherstripping is"restoration specialities" . i just got their new catalog in the mail a few days ago. i believe they are located in pennsylvania.  hope this helps...terry cox 26379

[speach]

I am sure that some places do up there prices just because they are for Cadillac. At the same time the quantity that the chevy places buy from their suppliers grant them the ability to sell for less. Verses the Cadillac places that sell way less because there are way less people buying Cadillac rubber than Bel air, Chevelle or Impala rubber. The competition is way more intense for the regular cars as well so they have to keep the prices as low as possible to stay competitive. Interesting way to get steele products for less by buying through Kanter. I like it.

[Terry Wenger]

Philippe:

I have restored a number of Cadillacs. Some items such as vent window rubber and  windshield rubber, there is no choice but to use Steele products, and they often have to be modified to work properly. Many other items, such as door weatherstripping, can be bought from Restoration Specialties as Terry Cox has said. Many grommets can be purchased your local hardware stores. For the pads under hinges, lights etc. old inner tube cut to the right shape works fine and is many times closer to the original as it doesn't have the edge bead on it that Steele often has. Rubber sheet and other shapes can be bought from McMaster-Carr in Chicago that can also be used.

Many of the rubber items can be made by yourself. Look at each item and decide if there is a cheaper way to do it.

Terry Wenger