Front window seal is short on corners

Porsche_911s · Porsche_911s's Garage

I need some advice. I took the car in to get the windshield replaced by Clear Lake glass here in Clear Lake Texas. They ordered a new windshield and I used a seal from Pelican and reused the metal trim from my old window. The old seal was completely busted up and it did warp the metal some. I pulled the old windshield prior to going in and cleaned up the pinch lip and mating surface. Some rust but nothing major. Anyway, I am posting some picks because the corners of the drivers side are falling into the windshield concave. He said that the seal needs to relax in the sun for a couple of weeks and it will eventually fit.

Now.. take a look at the picks give some opinions. I know the pics suck but its the best at this time. He does plan on me bringing back in two weeks so he is not trying to bail on the job, I just want to get more eyes on it.

Rouxzy · 04-02-2010, 01:07 AM

I had the same issue with mine. My installer had me go back in a week and he repositioned the window to fit. I don't know if that is what is up with yours but that is what happened with me.
Tom

Porsche_911s · Porsche_911s's Garage

Not sure, I did not have this problem with my '74 coupe. When it was done, they did it in my drive way in about 95 degrees. It was also the original window though. That one popped in with some force but it was flush and a tight fit.

Hopefully the 80 degree weather will relax the damn thing.

berettafan · 04-02-2010, 01:28 AM

Somewhat common problem. Can't help beyond that though.

Turboo934 · 04-02-2010, 02:57 AM

It's the glass , they sometimes need to be shimmed in the corners.

pantera · 04-02-2010, 03:21 AM

Unfortunately its pretty common. I had the same issue on my 82 SC using a new OEM gasket and the original windshield. The gap was in the left/right upper portion of the windshield.

Dan

Dixie · Dixie's Garage

you need to finesse the corners of the seal. Search, and you'll find the details on how to do this.

RexNoctu · 04-02-2010, 04:00 AM

You use a wood form to bend the metal trim to move the seal into shape. It isn't (as I originally thought) just there to make it look better.
There are several threads but basically you take a piece of wood radius it to the shape of the corner hold it to the inside edge of the trim and tap it to move it into position.

tof2.7 · 04-02-2010, 04:21 AM

we're lot in France , to had this probleme and after a search we have found that come bout the seal we have buying in a house who make porsche parts but re-made not original porsche. So we have buying this seal in a porsche shop and all is ok.

mthomas58 · 04-02-2010, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Carrera

you need to finesse the corners of the seal. Search, and you'll find the details on how to do this.

+1. Here is some info on how to fix the corners to close the gap. It's a pretty easy fix. Good luck. I still get some leakage in very heavy rains.....there are big gaps under that gasket and if some water gets in, its got to go somewhere. Good luck.

water leaks in footwells

Gap between Rubber Windshield Seal & Body

dtw · 04-02-2010, 06:42 AM

Good input in here. First make sure the glass is centered/square in the aperture. Then make sure they used some good glass - garbage aftermarket glass CAN cause this. If you have good glass, then you are down to 'massaging' the trim. I use a big soft rubber mallet. Tip - ensure the mallet and work surface are spotlessly clean or you will mess up the glass and trim. I keep a mallet that is used only for glasswork and carpets...just so it stays clean.

ruby911 · ruby911's Garage

As stated above, there is a good thread on this problem with the solution being a wood shim shaped to form the corner of the metal trim. Tap the metal trim lightly outward to push the rubber seal out over the gap - works like a charm. In my case, the fix would last for a couple of months, so I needed to place a small piece of scrap metal in the gap in the trim at the top center of the windshield. This prevented the metal trim from creaping back in. Did this a year a go and it is still holding strong.

Porsche_911s · Porsche_911s's Garage

Looks like the bottom corner trim is not flush with the seal either. What is the best way to shape the trim? Should I cover it with cloth and use a rolling pin to try and push the trim into the seal?

ossiblue · 04-04-2010, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche_911s

Looks like the bottom corner trim is not flush with the seal either. What is the best way to shape the trim? Should I cover it with cloth and use a rolling pin to try and push the trim into the seal?

Sounds like the trim popped out of the seal, and it is very hard to re-seat the trim with the seal installed, though some have done it on straight parts of the seal.

From reading your entire thread, here's what I'd suggest (you're probably not going to like it.) Remove the windshield, and remove the trim. Lay the trim on top of the seal and gently shape its contour to that of the seal as close as possible. Now, re-insert the trim into the seal and, most importantly, be sure there is a 3/8 to 1/2 inch gap between the trim pieces at both the top and bottom. As you've read, it's the trim that pushes the seal into the corners. Lube the seal and windshield lip well, and re-install, taking care the trim does not pop out. Once the windshield is seated, "massage" the trim, as mentioned in other posts into the corners. There will likely be a small gap remaining between the trim pieces if the seal is pushed into the corners.