will the door rubbers in an australian '68 bug be the same as those in a US '68 bug?

As far as I know thay will be the same as the USA had the doors with the larger windows from mid 1964 and not ariving in OZ until the 1968 model

Yes, thats correct. Actually a 1968 door will also fit an Aussie 1965 beetle... so the rubbers should be the same...

You will find the doors hard to shut with new rubbers... I have had mine just on the first catch for about 2 months [car not being on the road] and now I can shut them properly.. still takes a bit of a slam though.... I suppose thats why they are air tight...

Lee Noonan

same with me.
Just got new rubbers yesterday and finding them very very hard to shut.
They are very inclined to bounce back open.
Even happened when i was driving.

have the same problem with my new door rubbers...is it possible to fix this problem?

The door should be tight but not popping open. Some rubbers (cheap ones) aren't the same profile etc and are a waste of time. Like anything i suppose , you get what you pay for. What makes have folk used?

Danny:thumb

I believe there is ONLY one branded version of door & window Rubbers..
West Coast Metric... & then there are all the different unbranded rubbers coming from different factories in Brazil... My Son put some in his beetle years ago, and when He closed the door [slammed] half the door rubber was cut off.... that is the worst I have seen.. there are good & bad & terrible VW Parts coming from Brazil, its finding which is the best..... Genuine VW parts from mexico are Rubbish... the ones I've seen anyway... If We could always get the best rubber parts from Brazil , it wouldn't be too bad... I'm sure VW parts resellers are trying to do this as they don't want a bad reputation... and Just because You Pay BIG Money for parts, doesn't necessarily mean You are getting the Best either..... its just like a lottery....

Lee Noonan 68AutoBug

I have seen "unbranded" window rubbers with a lifetime guarantee advertised by a company in the US..... so it doesn't have to be "West Coast Metric"...
like My WCM outer door handle gaskets, lasted exactly one night... Split right down the centre... I wouldn't even go to the trouble of putting them on again.... Hard plastic Brazillian Gaskets will do Me..

Lee Noonan

If Your door rubbers or anything else is opening Your door while driving [or stationary] Your door locks are NOT adjusted properly.... they are too far down... they need to be lifted up...
loosen the screws slightly- lift the lock up slightly, then leave the screws just loose enough so that they can adjust to the correct level themselves when You shut the door.... then lift the lock up 1-2mm just to be sure... it will take a bit of practise... but I've never had a door open up on Me. and I have adjusted heaps of doors...

Lee Noonan

You can loosen the door striker plate off a bit while therubbers are new.

When fitting dont use GLUE, get a wedge bit of wood and go around n around the door and push the rubber all the way home it might take a few goes to get it all the way into the groove.

Prior to fitting make sure the door seal groove is clean and all the old rubber is gone.