Rear Quarter Window Weatherstrip - I Have the Fix!!!

[t6dpilot]

I needed to replace the rubber trim on my rear quarter windows as they were the original pieces and looked terrible. I read a lot of threads started by guys who were saying it was an absolutely aweful job to do and it took forever. One guy even gave up and took them to a window glass expert who had the correct tools. After reading all this, I was really bummed about how long and difficult this was going to be, but I was determined to at least try it myself.

Well I took the windows out and removed the old weatherstipping. Boy was it in bad shape. Now was the moment of truth. I soaked the window and weatherstrip in hot water for about 5 or 10 minutes and sat down to get started. Well, guess how long it took me to do that first window... drum roll please... about 40 minutes, tops! The second window only took about 20 minutes.

Boy was I pumped. I want to share my success with everyone here, so we can end the days of struggling with these. Wanna know what the secret is? I used a paint can opener that the hardware store gives you when you buy a gallon of paint. It is perfectly set up with a loop on the handle end for stability and a flat area with a 90 degree bend on the "business end." That configuration fit perfectly for tucking in the weatherstipping.

Did I discover the Pot 'O Gold or is this an "old hat" solution that you guys have known about for years? I still got a few cuts, but what a piece of cake!

Cheers!

[Tim Hancock]

Post a pic of the tool please. I got so p!ssed when I did my quarter windows, that I ended up cheating and installing about a 3/16 dia black cord in there instead. The front and rear are still the original but refinished trim strips, but my patience was lost after about the second attempted install of the trimmed assy into the window opening. I would just get it in, then the trim would pop out slightly somewhere!

[the]

Aren't you guys using the "rope trick" to install the rear quarter windows?!?

Put a cord in the seal groove, get the seal started, then as you pull out the cord, it pulls the seal over the lip on the chassis.

Horrible description, I know. Maybe search for "rope trick," also, I think they show it in the Haynes manual.

It's a 5 minute job to get the rear quarters back in on a 911 coupe.

[cbeers]

+1 for rope, though I have never done a window replacement on a Pcar


-Chris

[t6dpilot]

Hey guys, I will post a picture of the tool tonight. Now, maybe my solution only applies to cars with the pop-out rear quarter windows on the long-hood cars. I am not sure whether it works on a later model. You later model guys will have to enlighten me on that. Hopefully, my method helps everyone.

[Kemo]

i used the "rope" technique..it took me and a buddy no less than an hr with him on the outside pressing in and me on the inside. I still ended up damaging part of the seal. Boy was that a PITA.

Glad you found a good alternative to the rope

[CHILI]

Originally posted by t6dpilot
Hey guys, I will post a picture of the tool tonight. Now, maybe my solution only applies to cars with the pop-out rear quarter windows on the long-hood cars. I am not sure whether it works on a later model. You later model guys will have to enlighten me on that. Hopefully, my method helps everyone.

Yea, and a picture of your Texan, too (I'm assuming T6 is a Texan). Cool plane.

[Tim Hancock]

In my post above, I thought he was talking about the metal trim strip that gets re-inserted before roping the assembly back into the car.

The roping it in part is easy as pie. I use 12 or 14 ga. scrap electric wire and have not had any trouble at all inserting the glass and seal into the car. That d@mn aluminum trim is what I had a few problems with.

[the]

LOL, and I thought he was talking about a fixed window coupe, looks like he's talking about a vent window.

The aluminum trim usually is very easy to get back in - if it's new!

The problem is if it gets tweaked a bit, it gets unruly!

[t6dpilot]

Just to be 100% clear. I am refering to the REAR quarter window trim that is attached to the exterior of the window frame and seals against the body.

Chili, yes it is a Texan and here is an off topic photo. As Tim Hancock knows, you don't have to twist my arm too hard to post an airplane pic.

[Tim Hancock]

Scott, you are talking about the rubber seal that surrounds the glass and engages the body's window opening......Or are you talking about the aluminum trim strip that inserts into a channel in the above mentioned rubber seal?

PS, if our paths cross someday I am begging here in advance for a trip around the patch for a bit of stick time!

[t6dpilot]

Tim, the weatherstrip to which I am refering is the former item in your post, not the latter. It is the rubber that goes on the outside of the window frame and seals the complete assembly to the body of the car. It is the rubber on the outside of the completed window assembly.

Also, I am sure our paths will cross and when they do, a hop around the patch will definitely be in order.

[Jack Olsen]

Is this what we're talking about?

[1982911SCTarga]

Scott, good thinking on adapting the paint can opener for the rear quarter seals. Since I have a Targa, I've got my own set of challenges (but no rear quarter windows). Anyway, I should think your tool or something similar would be handy for re-inserting the aluminum trim when replacing front and rear windshield seals. I know when I put the trim back on my front windshield seal before roping the works in, I had developed two nice hitchhiker thumbs from squeezing and pressing that trim.

I still have to replace my rear window seal. I've got the new seal, but I just haven't been motivated to tear into that project, which includes repainting my Targa bar. Maybe I'll get to it when the first snow hits and the salt goes down.

Brian

[t6dpilot]

Jack, that is it! Thanks for posting a picture for me. Have you used that for the same purpose?

[Ron.G]

Here is what worked very well for my fixed quarter window seals. This works for all the window trim on the car.
.
To install the aluminum trim on to the rubber seal I used string. Spray the seal with soary water, Insert the string into the seal slot. Put the trim over the slot and press firmly while you pull the string toward you. It has to be toward you in order to pull the rubber outward. Go slowly.

It will pull the rubber over the bead on the back side of the trim.


Two people is even better for this .

Hope this is helpful to the next guy.

[darthracing]

> It will pull the rubber over the bead on the back side of the trim.

What happens if the aluminum trim is partly in/partly out? my "leading edge" and lower corner need to get back in - is it best to pull all the trim and try this or is having some in place better than none?

Would/should a "window guy" know how to do this properly?

Thanks for helping "the next guy", I've been going insane over this.

Todd

[Tim Hancock]

Darthracing, I don't think you are going to have much luck in getting the aluminum trim pc re-inserted while the glass/seal assembly is still installed in the car body. Your best bet might be to pop the whole assembly out, re-install the trim, then rope the assembly back in place. Soapy water is your friend.

Good luck, the fact that the trim is partially out now, might mean that it will not want to stay put even after doing the above.

I had the same situation when I first got my SC. I ended up pulling the trim out for awhile, then when I pulled all my glass for a new headliner and interior refurbish, I bought all new seals and refinished my trim. The trim would not stay in place on one rear quarter window upon re-assy and frustration caused me to just give up and install 3/16 dia satin black cord in the slot instead on both rear quarters. With all black trim, this looks fine but if a guy has silver trim, it is not a good option.

I don't know why my trim gave me so much trouble but just to quantify my problem.....my new perfectly installed headliner was EASY compared to my d@mn rear quarter glass (the front and rear glass went relatively smoothly however).

[beamonk]

The 993 quarter window trim works great in early fixed window cars. I will never go back to the trim pieces!

[Jim Richards]

I replaced the seals for my opening quarter windows tonight. In lieu of Scott's novel paint can opener approach, I used a tapered wood stick like this...



I used the thick end to pop the seal into the track like this, listening for the seal to "pop" into the track...



and, I used the thin end to push in the outer (side facing outside) edge, as necessary. Usually, that wasn't necessary, except when I was working around the corners and at the rounded end (end of window facing rear of car).



Looks better than the dried cracking, sagging seals I used to have...


Replacing the seals took me a bit over an hour (to do both windows), which doesn't include removal and reinstallation of the windows into the car.