Urgent need for windscreen top seal
Moderators: jifflemon, coyote1980, Rachel
Urgent need for windscreen top seal
Hello all, I have a huge crack runing right through driver's side of my windscreen (original) so I thought I 'd get it replaced at the weekend as the MOT has now expired and I'd like to put it through it again. The insurance company's selected screen replacement guy turned up and almost laughed that he'd been asked to replace it himself. He said it's a 2 man 'specialist' job and it's a real pig to get it right. He's coming back this Friday but they can't get hold of the top rubber strips anymore and that they usually during removal. I'm sure loads of you have been through this before so I would appreciate any advice you could offer, but mainly I'm after a replacement rubber top strip as I'm terrified he's gonna tear the original. Please help!
Thanks.
Swanny
Thanks.
Swanny
480 Turbo S/R 'Matilda' - '89 red - Norfolk
Re: Urgent need for windscreen top seal
Im interested in this too as Id like to take my glass out and strip down the metal and then re-paint- hope someone has a plan!
Re: Urgent need for windscreen top seal
You can take it out before the windscreen fitter comes. No need to find another one if your existing one is not damaged.
From the front of the windscreen strip, ease out the rubber with your fingernail, then once you have it free, pull it upwards. It fits around the top of the glass. You will need to be careful, but it will come out.
I have removed these from several 480s in the past, they have never been bonded on an originally fitted windscreen, and I didn't need any tools to remove it, just my hands.
Kind Regards,
Stephen
From the front of the windscreen strip, ease out the rubber with your fingernail, then once you have it free, pull it upwards. It fits around the top of the glass. You will need to be careful, but it will come out.
I have removed these from several 480s in the past, they have never been bonded on an originally fitted windscreen, and I didn't need any tools to remove it, just my hands.
Kind Regards,
Stephen
1995 480 S 2.0 237,000 Miles
Re: Urgent need for windscreen top seal
Cheers Suddy,
I'm hoping the guy has no problems removing the strip, but he said he's done a few in the past and the seals usually fall apart. I'm panicking that I'm going to be left with a windscreen with no seal. I might have a go at removing it myself on your recommendation. My God these cars are stressful! Thanks.
Swanny
I'm hoping the guy has no problems removing the strip, but he said he's done a few in the past and the seals usually fall apart. I'm panicking that I'm going to be left with a windscreen with no seal. I might have a go at removing it myself on your recommendation. My God these cars are stressful! Thanks.
Swanny
480 Turbo S/R 'Matilda' - '89 red - Norfolk
Re: Urgent need for windscreen top seal
the top 'seal' isn't a seal ! it's only there to make it look tiddly, the screen is bonded in and that keeps the water out.Swanny wrote:Cheers Suddy,
I'm hoping the guy has no problems removing the strip, but he said he's done a few in the past and the seals usually fall apart. I'm panicking that I'm going to be left with a windscreen with no seal. I might have a go at removing it myself on your recommendation. My God these cars are stressful! Thanks.
Swanny
if you can attack the screen surround with an angle grinder in area where it is cracked and get it back to bare metal/ rust remover/ painted
normally screen will ONLY be cracked on outer layer due to a lump of rust under the glass THEN add the screen.
I know a tall order but I was lucky as they came to the house on Tuesday, removed out screen, I repaired Wed /Thursday and then they came back on the Friday to fit glass!
Double lucky it didn't rain NB car is under a car port so protected from vertical rain, but not horizontal
and they used the same 'seal' strip . . . .
Alan
480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1
480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1
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Re: Urgent need for windscreen top seal
Probably due to the fact he wants to do the job and get on to the next as fast as possible, in his line of work parts are normally freely available and insurace company or you are paying.Swanny wrote:I'm hoping the guy has no problems removing the strip, but he said he's done a few in the past and the seals usually fall apart.
Very good idea.Swanny wrote:I might have a go at removing it myself on your recommendation.
Current:
480 ES Auto 1989
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480 ES Auto 1989
480 Celebration 187
480 ES Auto 1991
CLK430 Conv 2001
Hyundai i10 2015
Re: Urgent need for windscreen top seal
Just wondered, there is a gap between the seal at the top of the windscreen and the actual roof, so some water must go down there, where does it drain out to?
- glasgowjim
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Re: Urgent need for windscreen top seal
typical I tossed a seal away 2 weeks ago otherwise you could have had it for free
Re: Urgent need for windscreen top seal
In conclusion to this thread, like Alan 480 said, the 'seal' isn't a seal and came out no problem. It's in one piece so no dramas... apart from the fact that the car is still sat in my garage needing primed and new screen fitted. I removed the rust, applied rust converter and filler and masked the bodywork up just as the heavens opened Fingers crossed for a sunny weekend, or it will be there till May! Auto windscreens have been very understanding though, they've been out twice now for this job and they're coming back to finish the job when I'm ready. Don't know what I've have done otherwise.
480 Turbo S/R 'Matilda' - '89 red - Norfolk
Re: Urgent need for windscreen top seal
Good stuff, at least glass will survive longer that way . . . .Swanny wrote: Auto windscreens have been very understanding though, they've been out twice now for this job and they're coming back to finish the job when I'm ready. Don't know what I've have done otherwise.
I think it was auto-windscreens I used as well.
i guess they are paid by the insurance company so not too fussed about the costs as just claim / charge it all back
Alan
480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1
480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1