To cut or not to cut thatīs the question?

[1ricardo]

Dear Friends

I have this 1976 911 and i need to remove the front windshield and the rear as well
I was looking into some removal threads and I found some mixed emotions about to cut the rubber seal X not to cut the rubber seal
After all itīs possible and safe to remove the glass with out cutting the seal?
I really want to save mine.
If so, what are the steps needed?

Thanks

Ricardo

[bgyglfr]

Ricardo, it can be done without cutting but you have to be extremely careful. If it's been in there a while or if someone used any type of glue (it happens) you may end up ruining the seal anyway. If it's old, I doubt it would seal very well when you go to reinstall it as well.

Do you still have the aluminum trim around the windshield? If so, I would cut in order to save it. Once your aluminum is bent it is almost impossible to get it back on straight.

[MTemp]

Ricardo,
As has been said above it can be done, but if there is any glue/bonding agent between the seal and the frame the likelihood is that a) you will crack the screen getting it out, and b) the seal will be unusable anyway. So first thing I'd do it try to see if this is the case. Flip up the lip and see what you can see. Use a plastic spatula to dig about in the joint and see if any sealant comes out, especially in the top and bottom corners.
Also if you decide to go for it then do not try to remove the ally strip (if you have one). Taking it out will not make getting the screen out much easier and it will destroy the trim.
Personally I would try to get the top corners of the screen seal back over the body lip first, then try to edge it back along the top edge. You will not get access to the bottom edge, so the screen will have to be pushed out at the top corners/top edge first, then the pillars will come out, then the bottom edge. Some folk sit on a raised cushion over the handbrake and push with their feet, but if you can't get the top corners to feel loose then I wouldn't even try to push it out. You will just crack your screen.

Same for the rear, top corners, top edge, sides then base.

Personally I'd just cut the seal and buy new porsche seals. In the UK aftermarket alternatives for the front can work, but only porsche rears ever give a good tight seal.

Mick

[1ricardo]

Dear Friends,

Thanks for the help, But I have another question:
Almost everybody agrees that if i remove the aluminum trim, iīll probably ruin it, bet it and make it impossible to reinstall again
But if I cut the seal, iīll have to deal with the removal of the aluminum trim any away, donīt I?
Also if i decide to cut it out, whatīs the procedure? From outside out or from inside out?
Since iīm not removing the trim do i cut the seal on top of the trim or on the bottom side of the trim?

Thanks again

Ricardo

[bgyglfr]

Cut a V under the aluminum trim with a razor. Then you can just lift the trim off and clean the remaining rubber off.

[rattlsnak]

Cut the seal? I have put hundreds of these windshields in and out and never even heard of anybody saying you have to cut the seal? Very easily done without any cutting.. That being said, if someone has put sealant in the corners, you'll probably end up having to get a new seal as stated above.

[1ricardo]

Dear rattlsnak

Today i was looking at the windshield and even push it out a little bit and yes it does seems to go out very easily, I donīt have any glues just the rubber
I was afraid to crack the glass since i was starting to push out the upper corner and trying to move my way to the center of the glass and of course the corner was already moving but the center was not moving yet
So i wonder how much flex does this glass can take before crack?

[bgyglfr]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

Cut the seal? I have put hundreds of these windshields in and out and never even heard of anybody saying you have to cut the seal? Very easily done without any cutting.. That being said, if someone has put sealant in the corners, you'll probably end up having to get a new seal as stated above.

If you still have a nice soft seal that works fine. I have also pulled many windshields without cutting the seal. It is absolutely the easiest way to go.

The concern was bending the aluminum trim. I have also had seals that were either glued or dry rotted. In those situations cutting the trim away from the seal is the safest way to go.

[jpnovak]

Start in one upper corner. Inside the car. push on the glass and pull the corner of the seal over the lip. Work slowly across the top of the car. Then down each side. Once you get about 1/3 done it will come right out.

Once the glass/trim/seal is out of the car you can easily remove the trim from the seal.

This only works on a soft seal. If your seal is hardened from age you are better off cutting and replacing. The cutting part is to remove the trim without bending it.

[rattlsnak]

We always start in the top center. You can use something like a small spatula, or something with a flat blade about 1"-2" wide. From inside the car, position the blade about 1/4" from the end of the seal and push frontward and upward. You will see the seal go over the metal frame. When you get about 2-3" away from the corner, then use your palm and push outward and the glass will pop right out.

[1ricardo]

Hello

I just want to report the that plan was a success! LOL
I started in the middle portion with a spatula, but I could not get the lip to go to the outside
The lip is very big so I was trying an notice that the simple fact of the spatula on the lip of the rubber, brought the lip down a lot, so i put 4 spatulas that I had and the window almost jump out of the car by itself
Any way, I would like to thank you all for the help
Regards

Ricardo