My windshield is cracked so i'll have to change it. I'll be doing this myself , probably with help from some friends so i have a few questions for anybody who did this.
Does the has to come off? if so are there any tricks or very hidden bolts that i would find very hard?
How do you take of the windshield without breaking it or cuting the rubber? I want not to do that to avoit pieces of glass going into the air ducts and making a mess everywhere.
Anybody used the old rubber with succes (no leaks)? I'm asking because i can't find anywhere this part. My Rubber seams ok, in the summer is soft and has no cracks...Only the metal /plastic insert will break of when taken off and it will look nasty, but not nastier that a cracked windshield...Anybody found any suitable replacement for that?
Changing the windshield
Re: Changing the windshield
The windshield rubber can be re-used if it's still soft and flexible. You can get the trim out without breaking it but that takes some effort! So be very careful.
I would advise you to take out the covers over the A-pillars and the roofside of the window. Then you have 3/4th of the rubber available to push out.
Then you patiently push the rubber out of the metal inch by inch. The beginning is hard but it will get easier and easier. Just push the rubber hard in the beginning.
When you have 3/4th of the rubber out of the metal fixings, you can take out the complete thing. Remove the rubber from the old window and fit it around the new one.
Then put a piece of electrocable or other time of flexible but strong string in the rubber all the way around, except the underside of the window. Place the underside in the metal of the car correctly and make sure the strings are hanging inside the car.
Have someone apply even and firm pressure on the window from the outside, pushing it in place and pull the string out of the rubber so that it folds itself around the metal. Do this all the way around and your new window is in place.
I hope this makes sense. It's very easy when you have done it before but explaining it in my non-native language is a bit harder!
I would advise you to take out the covers over the A-pillars and the roofside of the window. Then you have 3/4th of the rubber available to push out.
Then you patiently push the rubber out of the metal inch by inch. The beginning is hard but it will get easier and easier. Just push the rubber hard in the beginning.
When you have 3/4th of the rubber out of the metal fixings, you can take out the complete thing. Remove the rubber from the old window and fit it around the new one.
Then put a piece of electrocable or other time of flexible but strong string in the rubber all the way around, except the underside of the window. Place the underside in the metal of the car correctly and make sure the strings are hanging inside the car.
Have someone apply even and firm pressure on the window from the outside, pushing it in place and pull the string out of the rubber so that it folds itself around the metal. Do this all the way around and your new window is in place.
I hope this makes sense. It's very easy when you have done it before but explaining it in my non-native language is a bit harder!
Re: Changing the windshield
I have done this once on the back window of my last car so i know about the string, the presure, etc. What i din's know is how to take the windshield out without cuting the rubber(i did that last time 'cose i had a new rubber) and if the dashboard had to come off for the refiting.
Thanks for the advice and i'm still waiting for an answer if someoane used the old rubber.
Thanks for the advice and i'm still waiting for an answer if someoane used the old rubber.
Re: Changing the windshield
I have used the old rubber. Works perfect if it's still soft and flexible.