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Subject: Replacing worn-out rubber seals around the windows Author: DavidC (moderator) : member since December, 2003 : 11909 posts Posted on: 2004-05-17 13:20:40

The 18-year-old rubber seals around the windows of my '86 735i were disintegrating and falling apart, so I decided to replace them. The cost was around $33 per window for new rubber seals (called "window guides" in the dealer parts catalog).


The old, worn-out rubber seal around the window.


The new window seal, before installation.


First, remove the interior door panel. For details on the steps to do that, see my earlier post, Interior Wood Trim Restoration Project.


Pull off the interior trim piece from the side of the window.


Also remove the upper interior trim piece.


Don't remove the entire upper trim piece, though. Leave the part next to the tweeter in place.


Pull out the old rubber seal from the window channel.


Pull the rest of the rubber seal up and out of the door. Do the same on the front end of the door.



Raise the window slightly so that you can access the two hex nuts at the bottom of the window bracket. Remove the two nuts and push the bolts through the holes so that the glass is free.


Tilt the glass and pull it up. We don't want to remove the glass, only get it away from the window channels so that we can insert the new rubber seal.


Insert the new rubber seal into the window channel, starting at the top corner. When you near the lower edge of the window opening, push the end of the rubber seal into the channel guide and down into the door.


Use a pair of pliers to grab the end of the rubber seal inside the door and pull it all the way down. After that, use your fingers to insert the rubber into the window channel for a secure fit. Repeat the process for the front side of the window.


After the rubber seals are in both window guides, move the glass back into the guides and lower it to the window regulator bracket. Before securing the nuts to the bolts, however, take a look at the forward edge of the metal bracket. It will have a white plastic guide on the end of it. The photo above shows the incorrect position for the plastic guide.


The plastic guide should be inside the channel, as shown above. Once it's in place, line up the holes in the metal bracket with the bolts on the bottom of the glass, tighten the nuts and you're done!

David Cecil
'97 740iL, 120k miles
'86 735i, 94k miles
'77 320i, 140k miles

www.e38.org has links for everything about your BMW 7-series automobile

• Replacing worn-out rubber seals around the windows (pic) (url) - DavidC 2004-05-17 13:20:40 (8392 views)