Cosmetic rubber interior windshield trim, How to install? Options

[drmitch]

Good morning,

I've purchased a replacement interior cosmetic rubber seal that goes along the bottom of the windshield. I'm told that it's a simple installation, not requiring the removal of the windshield or dash, and perhaps a thirty-minute project. THAT SAID...I'd love to get a step by step account of how to do it, rather than figure it out by trial and error. Tips on getting the old, cracked seal out? Tips on getting the new seal seated and centered?

SMC's site says "It is installed by cutting the ends so the seal is slightly longer and over-centering it." I have no idea what that means.

Any shared experience would be appreciated. Thanks.

Mitch

[hndyhrr]

Good morning,

I've purchased a replacement interior cosmetic rubber seal that goes along the bottom of the windshield. I'm told that it's a simple installation, not requiring the removal of the windshield or dash, and perhaps a thirty-minute project. THAT SAID...I'd love to get a step by step account of how to do it, rather than figure it out by trial and error. Tips on getting the old, cracked seal out? Tips on getting the new seal seated and centered?

SMC's site says "It is installed by cutting the ends so the seal is slightly longer and over-centering it." I have no idea what that means.

Any shared experience would be appreciated. Thanks.

Mitch

Watch this video from Ian Karr.
https://914rubber-tk.com/doku.php?id=dashbo...on-another_take

[drmitch]

Good morning,

I've purchased a replacement interior cosmetic rubber seal that goes along the bottom of the windshield. I'm told that it's a simple installation, not requiring the removal of the windshield or dash, and perhaps a thirty-minute project. THAT SAID...I'd love to get a step by step account of how to do it, rather than figure it out by trial and error. Tips on getting the old, cracked seal out? Tips on getting the new seal seated and centered?

SMC's site says "It is installed by cutting the ends so the seal is slightly longer and over-centering it." I have no idea what that means.

Any shared experience would be appreciated. Thanks.

Mitch

Watch this video from Ian Karr.
https://914rubber-tk.com/doku.php?id=dashbo...on-another_take

Thanks. I'd already watched this. He makes no mention of this cosmetic seal.

[Chris914n6]

Removal- if yours is like mine was it's hard, will snap, and make an exploding mess.
Get a hook or something in the pass side and pull. The seal has a steel backbone so it should all come out. Using the pic get the remaining seal bits unstuck from the windshield glue.

New seal- you want an extra inch or two in length as rubber shrinks with heat and age. Start at both ends and press in til you get to the center.

[drmitch]

Removal- if yours is like mine was it's hard, will snap, and make an exploding mess.
Get a hook or something in the pass side and pull. The seal has a steel backbone so it should all come out. Using the pic get the remaining seal bits unstuck from the windshield glue.

New seal- you want an extra inch or two in length as rubber shrinks with heat and age. Start at both ends and press in til you get to the center.

Thank you! There's no glue or sealant required, correct? Just push it in? And yes, I anticipate mine will be like yours. It's cracked in multiple spots, so probably hardened and brittle.

[FlacaProductions]

When you're doing this, if you'd be so kind as to photo-document and post a follow-up here, it would help folks in the future!

[SirAndy]

There's no glue or sealant required, correct? Just push it in? And yes, I anticipate mine will be like yours. It's cracked in multiple spots, so probably hardened and brittle.

No glue on mine, just your typical rubber with a metal insert that is pushed over a metal lip.

However, for me the only way to get a clean install was during my windshield replacement. I was not able to fit a new seal until the windshield was out of the car.
I'm sure someone out there had more luck doing this with the windshield still installed, but for me that didn't work. Luckily, my windshield was already due for replacement anyways.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[drmitch]

When you're doing this, if you'd be so kind as to photo-document and post a follow-up here, it would help folks in the future!

You're assuming I'll have a successful, photo-worthy experience! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[sbsix]

The alternative is to take your dash out. I replaced mine while my dash was removed and being recovered.

[mb911]

There's no glue or sealant required, correct? Just push it in? And yes, I anticipate mine will be like yours. It's cracked in multiple spots, so probably hardened and brittle.

No glue on mine, just your typical rubber with a metal insert that is pushed over a metal lip.

However, for me the only way to get a clean install was during my windshield replacement. I was not able to fit a new seal until the windshield was out of the car.
I'm sure someone out there had more luck doing this with the windshield still installed, but for me that didn't work. Luckily, my windshield was already due for replacement anyways.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

Did you find a source for units that have the metal clasps in them?

[SirAndy]

Did you find a source for units that have the metal clasps in them?

I don't remember where i got it from and it was also almost 20 years ago.
Might even have been a factory replacement.

I didn't keep any records or receipts (on purpose, to protect my sanity).
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[SirAndy]

Did you find a source for units that have the metal clasps in them?

I don't remember where i got it from and it was also almost 20 years ago.
Might even have been a factory replacement.

I didn't keep any records or receipts (on purpose, to protect my sanity).
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

Found some pics but no mention of the seal itself. You can see it in the 2nd pic already installed before the windshield went in.
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&...st&p=910188
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

[drmitch]

Removal- if yours is like mine was it's hard, will snap, and make an exploding mess.
Get a hook or something in the pass side and pull. The seal has a steel backbone so it should all come out. Using the pic get the remaining seal bits unstuck from the windshield glue.

New seal- you want an extra inch or two in length as rubber shrinks with heat and age. Start at both ends and press in til you get to the center.

The metal "backbone" remains, after digging out all of the old rubber, correct? And the new rubber clips onto that backbone?

I've got all of the old rubber out and I did take pics of the process, which I'll post when finished.

[drmitch]

Removal- if yours is like mine was it's hard, will snap, and make an exploding mess.
Get a hook or something in the pass side and pull. The seal has a steel backbone so it should all come out. Using the pic get the remaining seal bits unstuck from the windshield glue.

New seal- you want an extra inch or two in length as rubber shrinks with heat and age. Start at both ends and press in til you get to the center.

Also, why start from both ends, rather than from the center out?

[SirAndy]

The metal "backbone" remains, after digging out all of the old rubber, correct? And the new rubber clips onto that backbone?

I've got all of the old rubber out and I did take pics of the process, which I'll post when finished.

The original seal should have had a metal insert embedded that clamps to the metal lip on the chassis.
After removing the old seal, all you should see a body painted metal lip the new seal will be fitted to.
The new seal should also have a metal insert embedded. It might not be visible but you should be able to feel it. If the new seal is all floppy and rubbery, it doesn't have the correct metal insert.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[FlacaProductions]

I would think that the "backbone" also comes out as the new one would have one embedded. if you try to put the new one on over the pre-existing metal, I don't think it'll fit well. But i've never done it - just read and noodled a replacement around as mine could use a spruce-up.

[drmitch]

The metal "backbone" remains, after digging out all of the old rubber, correct? And the new rubber clips onto that backbone?

I've got all of the old rubber out and I did take pics of the process, which I'll post when finished.

The original seal should have had a metal insert embedded that clamps to the metal lip on the chassis.
After removing the old seal, all you should see a body painted metal lip the new seal will be fitted to.
The new seal should also have a metal insert embedded. It might not be visible but you should be able to feel it. If the new seal is all floppy and rubbery, it doesn't have the correct metal insert.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

914Rubber's description: New reproduction of the seal that covers the gap between the windshield and dash pad vinyl. This part has been made out of a stiffer material which does not require a steel internal structure to stay in place. This can be installed without removing the windshield. 1 required per car.

[SirAndy]

914Rubber's description: New reproduction of the seal that covers the gap between the windshield and dash pad vinyl. This part has been made out of a stiffer material which does not require a steel internal structure to stay in place. This can be installed without removing the windshield. 1 required per car.

Ok. I guess?
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[FlacaProductions]

ok - so yeah. I'd make sure all of the old remnants are gone.

[drmitch]

OK, that wasn't so bad. Project is finished. It's not perfect, but I was looking for "better", not concourse, and it is definitely better.

The old rubber came out in hard chunks and crumbs. I used the pictured tool to pry it out. Once you all clarified that the metal backbone also came out, that was easy, once I got it started. Of course, more crumbs of hard rubber came out with that.

I covered the defroster vents with painters tape to keep pieces from dropping in there.

The new seal went in pretty smoothly. Will it stay, without the metal clip? We shall see.

The attached photos are meant to go from before to during to after. If you have any questions, let me know.