How-to fit a car front windscreen with rubber window seals?

Answer 1

These instructions are not for bonded windscreens but are for rubber seals. Firstly please think of the type of glass you are handeling, If this is toughend glass it will take a bit of banging around the edge with your hand which helps when fitting. If it is laminated be very careful as one bang in the wrong place will crack it. There are two basic types of rubber seal one type has a slot to fit the car appature and a slot for the glass to fit in, which are opposite each other. There will also be a slot for a key rubber. This rubber seal is fitted around the car appature first, it can be held in place with masking tape from the car body round the rubber and onto the trim inside. If the rubber has two ends make sure these fit together perfectly with some glazing sealant or if you can align the rubber superglue is good. Attempt to fit the bottom corner of the glass into bottom slot of the rubber and push the glass as close to the corner as possible, with a modified screwdriver (eg with all the sharp edges taken of ) begin to work the rubber over the glass carefully around the bottom corners make sure the glass is well down in the slot and then work upward on each side of the glass and then along the top, again if this is toughend glass you can help it in with a few bangs from you hand, if laminated try a little soapy water and let it go in with care. Sealant can be applied around the slots at this stage if required and then a special tool is required to insert the key rubber.

The second type of rubber has a slot that fits the glass and a flange that pulls over the car windscreen appature. This rubber is usually prejoined. This rubber must be fitted around the glass first, you can use masking tape to secure the rubber as this can be removed as you are fitting. With the rubber fitted to the glass you need some strong thinnish cord or electrical wire or string, the size of picture cord. You want enough to go around the window twice idealy. Insert the cord starting at the bottom centre of the windscreen flange feeding the cord under the flang twice round, have about 2" hanging out at the bottom. Find yourself a friend and lift the windscreen into position against the apature making sure the two string ends are inside the car. Someone needs to be in the car and begin to pull the string and this will pull the rubber flange over the car appature. Try and get the bottom seated, lightly pushing the glass from outside will help, but be carefull because the glass that uses this type of rubber could be laminated, also with the cord twice round the rubber you get two goes at pulling the rubber over the car appature. The glass should be marked in one corner wether it is toughend or laminated.