Front Windshield seal issues

[NewPorsche91132]

Recently replaced my front windshield with new glass, new seal and new chrome. All parts were purchased from Sierra Madre.

My shop spent the better part of a day trying to get the glass to sit right and it wouldn't work.

When they finally got it in, there are gaps in the upper corner between the outside metal and the glass. Pictures are below. Anyone know how to solve the issue?

[Speed metal]

I had endless grief with mine too.. Went in after multiple attempts. My top corners look a little better than yours, but they still have the small gaps. All factory parts and a PGW shield.
Not taking mine out to redo, cuz it was such a PITA, but would love to know the solution too.

[proporsche]

hi boys.i have done my recently to good results but.....it took me years to figure it out.
In my case i have 1985 which takes the alu trimming but i had in my 911 since 2004 windshiled from 19990 C2. So the rubber seal has no trim.In LA i did not care about any water leaks..so i lived with the imperfection...Now in Europe i got my self again 1990`s windshield and was about the solve my or all problem with the corners.i have installed it with a with a seal from SSF autoparts which i bought back in the usa...but this seal was again not good.So i went to the Porsche seal and to my surprise it was already pre-shaped in the corners.
Also on my right bottom corner i have noticed the metal lip looked different the the left bottom .So i used hammer and a wood to make it look like the other side.
The technique i have located is to push the seal before installing to all the corners.Install the bottom part first.that is the string you are pulling for has to cross at the bottom.
I only used ZEP silicone for the rubber to install.And here are the results.
There is also technique inserting a string inside the corners...
before


after

after


Ivan

[SkiVT]

Several theads suggest using a piece of wood and a hammer to push the alluminum corner up further into the corner. The aluminum pulls the seal into place as you tap the piece of wood. The piece of wood should have a rounded end similar to the curve of the aluminum.

Gap between Rubber Windshield Seal & Body

[trond]

based on my experience there are more glass shops that can't do it than there are that can. Also it has been my observation that ALL of them can when they take on the job

I must have paid for installing windshield 5 times in 5 years. With porsche seal. Still leaks and still looks like a drunk did it. What were they thinking when they designed this ?

[stormin48061]

I had this issue on my 74 when i bought the car. Leaked like a sieve. Couldn't tell you how many tubs of silicon seal I used to fill the corner gaps up on those corners, and still leaked like a sieve. My car mats would be wet after a rain. The PO replaced the windshield with an aftermarket glass and the curves on the aftermarket windshield was not the correct radius so the seal would not seal properly when roped in. Replaced glass with oem and new seal solved the prob.

[Jesse16]

The method of using a piece of wood and tapping with in my case a plastic dead blow hammer has worked for me. Shape the tip of the wood to match the inside curve of the aluminum trim piece and start tapping carefully. You're just stretching the rubber out a little and the trim goes with it. With multiple windshields this had always worked for me. Just need maybe 1/8" or so to get the rubber to lay on the opening nicely and it usually stays there awhile. For me always the drivers side upper corner. I've probably been through 3 windshields in 10 years of ownership via several hits and breakage, lots of miles driven. There are lots of photos of the method in other threads. Maybe us a toothpick or plastic trim tool to lift the rubber edge out as you go. I've always used the OE seals so this detail can happen with all.

[darrin]

Newporsche -- Did you purchase factory porsche seal parts for your 911 or repro/"OEM" parts. I understand that, for the windshield, it's important to start with factory (porsche) seals and not copies.

[proporsche]

Hi Darrin in my case...
Yes ,i went to a Porsche dealer here in Europe and purchased the seal. It was not cheap but it did the work as none of the seals i have ever used, did. ...2-3 different suppliers - this one was like i have mentioned even pre-made for the corners.The others not ...i payed 140 euros for it
Ivan

[76FJ55]

can you post a picture of the seal along the bottom of the windshield? I would guess that the bottom isn't installed correctly and that has let the glass drift down slightly.

[UROParts]

Originally Posted by trond

based on my experience there are more glass shops that can't do it than there are that can. Also it has been my observation that ALL of them can when they take on the job

I must have paid for installing windshield 5 times in 5 years. With porsche seal. Still leaks and still looks like a drunk did it. What were they thinking when they designed this ?

Absolutely right trond. Installation can take hours for even a pair of professional glass installers, with decades of experience working on Porsches. Very challenging, especially DIY.

And even if you push out the top corners of the seal using the wood block technique so it looks good, you're moving the gap from between-the-seal-and-the-body to between-the-seal-and-the-glass. Theoretically if water gets under the rubber lip, it could flow through the hidden gap at the back of the glass slot and into the car.

Coincidentally, URO recently redesigned its seal 911 541 225 03 to address this exact problem. Our new seal has a body lip that is 3mm wider than OEM, for better coverage against the sheet metal - especially at the top corners. The new seal is also softer than our prior version, which should make it easier to install. The new seal began shipping to our customers about a month ago, and we're looking forward to user reviews.

Here's a snapshot of the new seal profile during redesign, prior to the final change of extending the lip (see red arrow) by 3mm.

[proporsche]

Hi uro...i am just a mechanic and no specialist on glass but i took me less then half an hour to install my windshield....

Ivan
i do like the idea of modification to the seal as you said..

[UROParts]

Originally Posted by proporsche

Hi uro...i am just a mechanic and no specialist on glass but i took me less then half an hour to install my windshield....

Ivan
i do like the idea of modification to the seal as you said..

You have serious skill lol, well done.

[NewPorsche91132]

These replies are amazing. Thank you. Will post photos of the bottom tonight.

Love this community. Thank you, everyone.

[proporsche]

Hi uro...i have to admit i have been working -and watching glass peeps too- for over 33 years;-)started not far from you ..In Calabasas;-)

thanx

Ivan

Newporsche yup lets see the bottom meeting place

[trond]

mr Uro. I did not think much of the previous version of your window seal. In fact I believe they ended in the dumpster after a frustrating session trying to install them. Lucky my heart did not stop.... Now after previous experiences I am almost ready to try your new version

[ertech]

Mr Uro did you redesign the 1990 seal with no insert?not the 88 and early 89

[SalParadise]

Originally Posted by UROParts

Absolutely right trond. Installation can take hours for even a pair of professional glass installers, with decades of experience working on Porsches. Very challenging, especially DIY.

And even if you push out the top corners of the seal using the wood block technique so it looks good, you're moving the gap from between-the-seal-and-the-body to between-the-seal-and-the-glass. Theoretically if water gets under the rubber lip, it could flow through the hidden gap at the back of the glass slot and into the car.

Coincidentally, URO recently redesigned its seal 911 541 225 03 to address this exact problem. Our new seal has a body lip that is 3mm wider than OEM, for better coverage against the sheet metal - especially at the top corners. The new seal is also softer than our prior version, which should make it easier to install. The new seal began shipping to our customers about a month ago, and we're looking forward to user reviews.

Here's a snapshot of the new seal profile during redesign, prior to the final change of extending the lip (see red arrow) by 3mm.

This is a positive surprise coming from URO. Factory parts can and will benefit from redesign. This was a smart move on your part. I hope it works well because you will sell many of them if it does.

[pampadori]

my buddy that helped me install mine works for a pro glass installer. When we got the glass installed we also noticed that the seal wasn't completely covering the top corners. His solution was to put a couple of suction cup handles on the glass and pull with a good amount of brute force on the handles to pull the glass and seal higher up. This worked and only took about 10 seconds.
So maybe try to source some of those suction cup handles and give that a try? I'd be keen to use the new URO seal too since it looks like they've put more thought into it.

[NewPorsche91132]

Here are a few photos of the bottom of the seal...