Easy windshield trim install

[Iowa911]

I just completed my windshield gasket replacement that I had been putting off for quite a while. I remembered how much of a pain doing this on my '66 912 was, that is probably why I wasn't super anxious to tackle the job on my '84 911. Removing the trim was pretty simple, I lifted one end of the trim just enough to get some parachute cord under it, then just pulled it all the way around the windshield, kind of like a big piece of dental floss. It popped out with no distortion of the trim at all. It happened so quickly and easlily that it didn't cross my mind in time to get photos, sorry. Placing the rubber gasket back on wasn't too difficult either, I started at a corner and as I made progress, I taped it to the glass with masking tape, just so it would want to pop off.
Next came the dreaded trim reinstall. I tried just pushing with my fingers, it was quickly apparent that this wasn't going to work. The rubber gasket has a tendency to "roll under" the glass so the grove that the trim goes into doesn't line up correctly with the "tab" that is supposed to clip into it. So it occurred to me that I needed not only more force pushing the trim down, but also needed to roll the gasket outwards to line up with the trim. I took a piece of rubber tubing and cut a couple of inch long pieces and slipped them over a pair of large channel lock pliers. As I gently squeezed down on the trim, I also pulled the gasket out away from the glass. The trim popped in with almost no effort. I would squeeze and move a couple inches and squeeze again. I also taped it in place every 6 inches or so to keep it from popping out as I worked my way around. I had the whole trim reinstalled in about 15 minutes.

[vintagecarlover]

Geez thx. Timing is perfect.

[Iowa911]

You're welcome, let me know how it goes.

[Josh D]

Looks like a good solution.

I recently did the rear window as well. I just put dish soap in a small bowl, and applied it to the trim groove with a small brush and used my fingers. Trim snapped in easy.

[carreradpt]

Iowa, how did you remove the windshield? And what then did you do with it and what working surface did you use as you reinstalled the trim and seal onto the glass?

[nene]

Ill be doing this this weekend, as the looseness of the windshield is driving me nutz!

[Iowa911]

I pretty sure if I had hit the brakes hard it would have come out on its own. I Set up a card table with a cardboard box about 12" square on it. It made a nice pedestal to work on.

[carreradpt]

Iowa911 you have a PM

[mickey356]

Reviving an old one here…….MY GOD, is that trim a major PITA to get back on!!!!!!

I was SUPER careful taking off the trim from the old rubber but….HOLY $#!% was it tough to get in. I finally gave up and went to trusty PP to see why I was having so much trouble, the above solution was heaven sent. I taped up a pair of channel locks and even though I had to do some "massaging" it went back in pretty nicely. Now I just need to get it back in the car so I NEVER have to deal with it again!
Soooooo, any of you with this on your project list, it's a keeper! Thanks Iowa911!!!

[Iowa911]

I can't tell you how happy I am to finally have a useful contribution to this group. I feel like it has been all taking and no giving for many years! Glad it worked for you.

[will hung]

This is an awesome idea. When I replaced my front and rear window seals ~6 years ago, I tried pushing the trim in with my fingers and failed. I even tried the soap trick above. So I ended up jamming 12 gauge wire into the trim groove to delete the trim.

My car is dark green, looks black from a distance. I think dark 911's look better with polished trim. I would like to polish my trim this winter, but installing the trim was making me reconsider. With this trick, I might just do it.

[Dave Kost]

How did you pre form the chrome trim parts before you put the two pieces in the seal? The face of the chrome trim isn't parallel with the rubber seal, so when you go to install the wind shield the outer part of the chrome trim piece, at the corner sits proud of the seal.

Does anyone have a tip to pre form the chrome trim to the wind shield before putting it in the rubber seal?

Thanks,

[mickey356]

Iowa911, my hands are eternally grateful to you

Dave, I know what you mean about the trim face. I assumed when the rubber seats in to the windshield space it will come forward a bit and sit more flush. As it is right now the trim and the rubber are pretty flush but I expect some tweaking when I install. I'll let you know how it all turns out.

[rbogh901]

Put the trim in the rubber before installing rubber on glass.

[mickey356]

Originally Posted by rbogh901

Put the trim in the rubber before installing rubber on glass.

Never even entered my mind. Have you tried that method? It seems like it would be more than a one man job.
Dave, I just put the rear windshield in, all went well (one tiny tear on the rubber on the lower corner from me getting careless with the pull angle on the rope), but the trim seated pretty well in to the rubber. There are a few spots where it raised a tad out of the rubber but I think I can get it back in tapping with a rubber mallet. Had to leave it as is cuz I have a full schedule the rest of the day, I'll try to get a pic tomorrow.

[fiminod]

rbogh901 is correct. Easy to do and you don't kink the trim and its easily a one man job, just need an adequate work space. The mallet will (eventually) flatten out the trim.

[Iowa911]

I pre formed the trim to the shape of the glass without the rubber in place. Worked great.

[Dave Kost]

Originally Posted by Iowa911

I pre formed the trim to the shape of the glass without the rubber in place. Worked great.

Great. I am going to it this way.

[jrsully]

assume this will work for the dreaded rear Targa glass.? trim into rubber, rubber/trim onto glass, whole thing installed into car.?

[wareaglescott]

Reviving this thread again. Thank you Iowa911!! I hope you are still here to see this. That tubing over the channel locks was a brilliant idea. I was really struggling until I saw that and then got the trim in very easily.