Basically this:



I've always wondered and have no clue how they are even named. What do they do?

based on what I can see... I would say it is a guide of some sort.... sure wish I knew what part of the vehicle I was looking at??

Its supposed to "catch" your glass if you're rolling up the window, just in case for some reason it isn't aligned where its supposed to be.

Yeah that guides the window tight at the top. You can see it from farther away here (not my car)

Thanks. Another mystery solved.

[This message has been edited by cebix (edited 05-15-2014).]

it's to keep the window from popping out(away from the seal) at speed.. wind will suck the window away from the seal if they are missing..

I've also heard they can help with theft, since the windows roll up and somewhat inward, they prevent a thief from prying the window out away from the body preventing a thief opening the door and stealing stuff.

-Mitch

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My Car - 87' GT 3800sc
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/F.../HTML/121571.html#p0

quote Originally posted by mitchjl22: I've also heard they can help with theft, since the windows roll up and somewhat inward, they prevent a thief from prying the window out away from the body preventing a thief opening the door and stealing stuff. -Mitch

It won't stop a coat hanger...

quote Originally posted by ericjon262: It won't stop a coat hanger...

Or smacking the sunroof latch

I had a '98 Olds Aurora (god I miss that 4.0 N*) and at about 110 the drivers window would start to pull away from the weather stripping, sooner if i was driving into a strong head wind. I do not know the air flow characteristics around the A-pillar, but at highway speeds I have never felt like the windows are trying to pull out. Are these window catches a common thing on cars of this era, as as I have never seen them on anything other than the Fiero. haha

Always wonders what that was my self, what I figured was exactly right.... Yayy me!!!

It is called an "anti-blowout tab".

quote Originally posted by KillerFrogg: Are these window catches a common thing on cars of this era, as as I have never seen them on anything other than the Fiero. haha

Oh yeah, my 72 Buick has them, and very common up thru the late 90s for sure.

The blow-out tab is the correct answer.

They were put on Fieros to solve a basic design flaw of the Fiero door; it has no support structure along the tops and sides other than when it seals against the door sill. The pressure that can build up at highway speeds can pull the window away from it's stationary position, and these tabs prevent that. Many two-door coupe type vehicles have some form of this tab - or a variation in it's design - implemented into the design of the upper door seal. It may not be as visible as the ones on Fieros, but the design implementation is there.