Rear Window trim

[chuckr]

I've got an issue with my rear window trim not fitting correctly.
How hard is it to replace ?

can I take it off without causing any problems ?

[bbaer6676]

it is very easy to take off, it just pushes in between the seal. however, do it very slowly, a little at a time, it is like butter. Bends very easily. Not hard to bend back to the proper shape, just be careful.

[Rich76_911s]

Chances are if you try to pry it out, you will bend it worse than what it already is. In my opinion the only way to get that out successfully is to use a sharp utility knife and cut the window gasket. On the rear of the car there are wires in the gasket for the defroster so watch out for those if you decide to go that route. Be aware that if you wreck these pieces they are $150 new.

Rich

[the]

You need to take the whole window/seal/metal trim assembly off of the car.

You could probably pull the metal trim out without taking the window out, but that would be a waste of time because you will NEVER, EVER get the metal trim seated back in without taking the window out.

The window, seal, and metal trim are assembled while off the car, then installed as a unit.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Not hard to bend back to the proper shape???? It's not hard to bend, but it's almost impossible to bend back to the proper shape, which is exactly why it ends up not fitting properly and pops loose here and there.

And of course "the" is correct: the entire assembly--glass, trim and seal--need to be taken off the car and reassembled, with a new seal (you'll have cut the old one)--off the car and then installed as a unit.

Makes me wonder if some people have ever actually done this job, which is such a pain that I went to Lexan front and rear with a trimless 964 windshield seal and a removable fiberglass rear-window frame.

[chuckr]

So if I understand correctly... to do this right, I'd need a new seal
and new trim pieces and the rear glass has to be removed.
Would you recommend a glass shop do this or is it a do it
yourself kinda thing ?
Thanks,
Chuck
oh, yea... can I just pull of the trim and go trimless
till I decide what to do. What does the trim do besides
look good ?

[the]

No, you don't need a necessarily need a new seal, and likely don't need new trim pieces. But yes, the window needs to be removed.

People do it themselves, I have, but it's not a particularly easy job. You need to have a good touch, and it helps to have done it before on smaller pieces, like the coupe rear quarter windows.

The window and seal assembly can be pried up from the inside of the car, and pushed out as a whole. Then the seal and metal trim comes apart very easily.

Heavily bent trim is usually trashed, but small bends can and are fixed all the time. Even brand new trim usually has to be bent a bit to get it to fit right. The stuff gets tweaked a bit in shipping, sitting on shelves, being handled, etc. and needs to be "adjusted" to fit the car a bit. That's where experience and a light touch come into play.

You could go trimless if you wanted, but your rear window won't be quite as secure. The trim serves as a "locking" piece.

If it were my car, I'd just leave it alone until you can get someone with experience to look at it. If your rear seal is getting old/dry/cracking, now would be the time to replace it.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

If you took the trim out, it might leak a bit. It essentially expands the rubber seal just enough to do the final sealing, which is why it's impossible to install the trim with the window in place. Too tight. It definitely has a function besides "looking good." (Actually, I think it looks lousy.)

[chuckr]

Thanks guys !
I noticed on my 89 it does not have the trim, The issue I have is on
my 88. It appears to have a different seal/trim than the 89.
I think the way it is on the 89 looks better, smoother,cleaner.
The rear glass needs to be re-tinted anyway so I'll just sit tite
and do the seal/trim then re-tint when I get more money.
This looks like it could pricey and right now it is not a big
concern.
Thanks again !
Chuck

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

The '89 is a 964 rather than a 911, and Porsche decided to 86 the lousy trim strips. I know the front glass sizes are slightly different--you can't put a 911 windshield into a 964 seal--and I suspect the rear ones are too.

[ZOA NOM]

I took mine out and replaced them with a black rubber window screen seal. It's far easier to install, and it locks the window seal better than the trim pieces.

[afterburn 549]

I left mine out but installed 3/16 brass rod to help with the slack...(ACE) no problems in 3 years

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Outstanding! I think I'll do that when I put the rear quarter windows back in. Good idea.

[ZOA NOM]

Here's a pic...

[chuckr]

This is very interesting ! Zoanas, tell me more about this brass
rod. In the pic it looks more like a cable or wire, it seems to have
a twist pattern to it. By ACE you mean hardware store ?
Home Depot/Lowes have this ?
Thanks
CHuck

[Evans, Marv]

Zoanas wasn't talking about the brass rod. He was talking about buying the rubber insert that goes into the frame channel when you repair or put new screen in aluminum glass sliding windows. You can buy it at all home repair places, and it comes in a few different diameters. He inserted it (pushed) into the groove where the aluminum trim goes.

[ZOA NOM]

What he said.

[afterburn 549]

ACE hardware brass= no rust