Top Catwhiskers

[Surfcuda]

Hi, I purchased a set of Top Catwhisker door panel felts. I cannot seem to get them to fit on my door panels. Does anyone have any experience with Top Cat whiskers? And is there any tricks to the trade as far as mounting them? Any help would be appreciated. 🏝

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[moparlee]

Top Catwhiskers are usually pretty darn good. Do you have the clip push in type or the ones that need to be installed with a screw? Your upper door panel needs to be compatible.

 

[Surfcuda]

Hi Moparlee, they are the push/slip on clip type. They are extremely tight and don’t want to push on. Any tricks of the trade or advice getting them on?

 

[Surfcuda]

Oh wow I didn’t know there were different door panels or compatibility concerns. That may be the issue. Head Scratcher. 🏝

 

[doubleyellow]

Oh wow I didn’t know there were different door panels or compatibility concerns. That may be the issue. Head Scratcher. 🏝

The 1970 are push-on clips for the “door side”. 1971 are screw in (I found this out the hard way).

But on the door panel I kept my originals and didn’t try installing the new cat whiskers. I could see though it could be a challenge getting them on the top edge of the panel. Are your door panels repros? Maybe the repros are a little thicker than OEM. Maybe if you file a slight bevel on the edges of the door panel it might get the cat whisker started.

 

[moparlee]

Oh wow I didn’t know there were different door panels or compatibility concerns. That may be the issue. Head Scratcher. 🏝

Sorry I thought you were asking about the door side. On the plastic door panel ones I haven't replaced any of those. Good luck with yours and let us know how it goes. Maybe Surfcuda's idea might help.

 

[Surfcuda]

Yes, these are the push on felt whiskers for the plastic inner door panels on a 1970. I tried some liquid soap, didn’t work. I can somewhat get them started but as I push along the end pops off. I don’t want to bevel the edge and screw the panels up, too damn expensive to replace. These are the original power window door panels for the car. Thank you for suggestions. Any one with experience out there please give me some insight. 🏝

 

[doubleyellow]

Ya, don’t mess with those original panels. Irreplaceable.

Maybe find a washer or smooth metal piece that’s tiny bit larger than the cat whisker metal channel. Put the washer/ metal piece in a vise and then pull the whisker over the washer/metal piece slowly to open up the channel. Challenge is to not kink the whisker.

I would use a caliper to measure thickness of the door panel edge. The use a feeler gauge across the whisker channel to measure the opening.

See how much interference you have, then try to open up the whisker channel

Maybe someone has a better hack to get those on. Protect the door panel at all costs !

 

[Xcudame]

A little KY jelly! Don't laugh! It works better than you think!

 

[Surfcuda]

Okay, those are some good ideas. I’m going to try your idea Doubleyellow to include Excudame’s KY application, if I don’t get anymore input from anyone who has dealt with this issue. I will keep you posted on the outcome regardless. TY 🏝

 

[Chally]

Okay, those are some good ideas. I’m going to try your idea Doubleyellow to include Excudame’s KY application, if I don’t get anymore input from anyone who has dealt with this issue. I will keep you posted on the outcome regardless. TY 🏝

Went through this on my ‘70 Challenger a couple years ago with my original door panels. I used silicone spray as a lubricant with a hard rubber dead-blow hammer as some force was required. The whiskers must be on tight to prevent them from being pulled off when the window is rolled up. The Challenger whiskers have a slight curve on one end. I stood the panels on end and inserted the straight end of the whiskers and tapped each in place feeding it downward along the length of the panel also tapping along the whiskers while doing this to ensure it was fully seated down on the panel. Hopefully this makes sense.

 

[Surfcuda]

Hi Chally, Yes the barracuda Whiskers have a curve on one end as well. I take it that you vertically slid the whisker channel straight down along the panel standing on end by hand and tapped it securely in place? Man that had to be difficult without bending/denting the Whisker due to the tightness of the channel. I will give it a try and stop if it gets too sketchy. Appreciate the info, appears not many have done this task. I will give updates on any progress I make.

 

[Surfcuda]

Yes! Yes! Yes! Thank you all for input & ideas on mounting the door panel whiskers. Excudame, the KY helped tremendously. So here are a few photos to paint the install picture. I used the lubricant and a wooden wedge to pop them in with a rubber mallet. Also I started at the curve because there is a stop lip on the door panel on this end for placement. They went on so easily it was enjoyable! No head banging and saying WTF! The Top Catwhiskers were a bit $$, but worth every penny. These are quality Whiskers and look awesome. Again TY! 🏝

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[Chally]

Hi Chally, Yes the barracuda Whiskers have a curve on one end as well. I take it that you vertically slid the whisker channel straight down along the panel standing on end by hand and tapped it securely in place? Man that had to be difficult without bending/denting the Whisker due to the tightness of the channel. I will give it a try and stop if it gets too sketchy. Appreciate the info, appears not many have done this task. I will give updates on any progress I make.

Correct, it is a very tight fit. I was only able to slide the first inch or so in place by hand then had to tap the channel downward with the hammer along the entire length of the panel while standing on end. Also tapped along the length of the channel during the process to ensure it was fully seated. I believe the channel is stainless steel so it’s pretty stiff. At some areas I noticed the channel was removing small slivers of plastic from the panel as it created a new groove to lock into but that’s not visible and helps to secure the channel in place.

 

[terrywalker]

It looks like the top of the back edge of your panel has split. Have you decided if you are going to repair that or install as is?
Terry W.

 

[Surfcuda]

Hey Terrywalker, must look like it photos, but no splits or cracks in my door panels. They are pretty close to being perfect. A Few light scuffs on them.🏝

 

[Surfcuda]

Oh I see what you were referring to in the photo. That’s a piece of rubber that came out of the Whisker channel. It does look like a crack in the photo. Thanks for the close inspection! 🏝