window trim popping out

I finally got my SC rear window into place and the gasket sealed to the body all around--it required a liberal dose of dishwasher soap and a very broad-bladed Spackle knife to gently pry the rubber over the lip above the little air outlets at the rear of the roof--but in the process, about six inches of the malleable aluminum trim strip popped out of its socket in the gasket.

Has anybody had success with getting this strip back into its groove with the window in situ? Please don't tell me I have to take the freakin' thing all the way out again...

Stephan

That's what makes the job so frustrating, and not as easy as lots would have you believe.
IMO, if you ever want that piece to sit *properly* you are going to have to take the window out again and start over. You are just not going to be able to force the trim piece back down properly (I'm sure you've tried!!).
Its why I would just pay the $65 (or less) for a glass shop to install it. I think it makes sense for front and rear windscreens to be installed by the pros (its just hard to get the details right, the trim lined up perfectly, etc., a bad installation is noticeable to those with some experience).

Tried this myself once. got it in after 3 hrs of hell, and it leaked. Brought it to the local winshield repair guy. Payed him 46 bucks and the job was done right with no leaking. Sometimes it's just best to let the pros do things.

I'm not sure I recommend this, since I've never tried it. A guy who had the same type of problem a long time ago, said he was able to get the trim in by wrapping a shop rag around a flat paint stirring stick & using that over the trim to gently tap it in with a rubber mallet. I know the trim is really easy to deform though & almost impossible to get back into the correct shape.

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Marv Evans
'72 911E

Becarefull about bending the trim. The trim will form the seal, especially around the curves of the window. I had to do mine twice. The first time the bend in the corner of the trim was too tight and pulled the seal away from the top corner of the body-to-window corner. The result was a gap and leaking. I had to R&R the thing again. When it came to the rear Targa window (a real bit*h) I omitted the trim. Well worth the minimal cost to have someone else do it, but very rewarding when you do it yourself.
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Paul
78SC Targa

Did anyone here use some nylon rope?

I did this for my front windshield. After I found out the "secret", it was easy. Took about 2 1/2 hours from removal to reinstall (replaced gasket).

Basically, the trim should fold around the glass itself, no rubber. This will ensure no leaks, and a pretty trim. Then insert the rubber on the glass, insert the trim in the rubber. Soap it all up and use about 3/16 - 1/4" diameter Nylon rope. The nylon will slip easier. Insert the rope where the body frame should go in the rubber lip. Your two rope ends should end at the bottom part of the glass on the lowest part of the frame. Lay glass on car frame. Pull the string unifromly left and right sides up along the lip making sure the lip pulls over the car frame. Finish off at the top.

Have Fun!

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Nick Hromyak
'85 Carrera 7 & 9 Fuchs
Havin' Fun in
Sacramento CA