Anyone with experience with front windshield / window seal replacement?

[aigel]

PPS: This is the time to replace the dash!

G

[Jim Smolka]

I second replacing the glass if it is old. Often windshields get 'sandblasted' after a few years. To prevent bending the metal strip when taking the old glass out, leave the metal strip in place, until the glass and seal is out of the car. Also, spring for the 'premium' glass, the fit is better. Besure to fix any rust around the windshield (Wurth paint works great) and tape around the window frame were the shinny paint is to prevent the unavoidable opps.

Side note, Some folks have gone with the 964 type seal (previous post). Sounds do able.

[KTL]

Originally posted by aigel
............This is not a hard job. Tape off your paint with masking tape around the windshield, so you won't scratch it. And pray that the PO didn't squirt silicone in there like a madman as it had happened on my car... I had to clean it out with 3M adhesive remover for hours. This is one of the jobs that you want to do yourself. A pro installer would probably scrape the channel half a$$, leave grime in there and scratch up your paint in the process, preparing everything for rust perfectly. Call me paranoid ...

Cheers, George

All of George's above info. is great advice. My car is an example of a previous hack job windshield install. Reused the old seal, scraped the heck out of the channel, left crud in there, a few small rust areas began.............. Bad bad job by the person who did it. Should be ashamed of himself.

George, you described my car's situation EXACTLY. Right down to the 3M Adhesive Remover! Check out the carnage below

[duke3282]

I have removed and reinstalled my windshield 5 or 6 times in the last couple of months when i had my car painted. I used Waynes book and that was very helpful. I would suggest instead of removing the aluminum strip and then cutting out the old windshield, use a flathead screwdriver to push the inner lip of the seal over the sheetmetal lip of the car from the inside. You just have to do the top section and most of the sides and then with a little help you can lift the windshield right out. It may however be more difficult if your seal is old and stuck to the car. This way you can cut the aluminum strips out while they are still on the windshield and avoid bending them. When i did my front windshield the first time i pried the aluminum strips off and they just never went back on right. I did the back windshield this way and it seemed to work much better.