This message is marked as Important.

Subject: Finally replace my windshield gasket, big THANKS to Ed. Author: rg0115 as rg0115 (Robert G) : member since May, 2007 : 2961 posts Posted on: 2008-02-05 15:06:26

As some of you know, I have been debating for the last 6 month whether I should take on the project of replacing my windshield gasket. I have read many posts on this all over bimmerboard and never really felt comfortable doing the job myself. Many say to do it right you have to take out the glass and place the gasket between the glass the window frame. I also believe that is the only way to do right, but considering what mine looked like, I was willing to anything to make it look better. Cost was a big issue for me. Mine was so bad, that I finally just said screw it, what do I have to lose. If I don’t do it right, well then I can always just claim it on my insurance, which would have been a $250 deductible. Here is a link to my initial post on this. I have had the gasket for almost six month now and finally grew the balls to do it myself. Hopefully some of you guys wanting to do this will have some motivation after reading my post.

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/376925

Anyway, below are some before and after pictures. I think it really turned out nice. The seal is not as flush to the surface as it would be at the glass been taken out, but visually it looks OK. I have not noticed any wind noise difference from before, which was a big concern for me as well. I guess one of you guys is going to have to let me drive their E38 so I can have something to compare it to.

Also, I have to give a big shout out to Ed. Ed took on the same project a few months ago and he was very helpful in answering some of the questions I had. He really motivated me to do the job. Here are a few links I used as a reference.


http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/286210

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/404877

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/290108/

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/403395

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/402432

Here are a few before pictures. Looks awful, doesn’t it







Here is a picture of the water channel rails taken off. They came off pretty easy. Just lay your paws of you hand on the A-Pillar of the car, push down while pulling the rail towards you. Two of the clips stayed on the rail. Just remove them off the rail and put them back on the A-pillar before you put it back together





Next, pull out the corner of the gasket using a pair of niddle nose pliars and carefully pull the gasket towards the center. I stoped at the center and the moved to the other side and worked my way in from both side. Ed mentioned that when he pull it from one side all the way across he build up so much speed that it tore out the spacer used for setting the glass. Mine on the other hand did not have any pacers.





I taped of the top of the roof so I would scratch the paint by cleaning the grove.




Here is a picture after I cleaned the gap. I used a raiser blate to get some of the glue of the glass edge and a piece of a scotch brite to get into the gap. Use soap as well The rough side twards the glass of course.




Notice, I do not have a spacer like some people did. I think this is where it would be. somewhere towards the end before the curve.


Here is a picture of the seal pushed back in. I started at the center. The gasket has a center markert for your reference. Before pushing the gasket in, I greased it up with some Petroleum Jelly. It work out really great and slid right in








Looks pretty good if you ask me.













Black Beauty

• Finally replace my windshield gasket, big THANKS to Ed. (pic) (url) - rg0115 (Robert G) 2008-02-05 15:06:26 (6599 views)
  • Nice job. You've got a perfect car now. (nt) - wiggi 2008-02-06 01:06:01 (214 views)
  • well done! What kind of beach cruisers do you have there? (nt) - 04sshd 2008-02-05 22:42:59 (191 views)
  • I'm glad that you documented this. Going on e38.org today. (nt) - DavidC 2008-02-05 20:57:39 (211 views)
  • Edwin talked me out of changing mine on Sunday in Dallas - JoeC 90 750il 89 735il 98 740il 2008-02-05 19:30:28 (278 views)
    • I had the same conversation with Edwin, but I still tried it, I had nothing - rg0115 (Robert G) 2008-02-05 19:53:34 (247 views)
      • The difference is that I was 950 miles from home. - JoeC 90 750il 89 735il 98 740il 2008-02-05 22:36:03 (214 views)
  • Looks much better in line with rest of car. - cogic740 2008-02-05 17:06:39 (186 views)
    • Thx, the car is finally coming together, new headlight lenses, new headlight - rg0115 (Robert G) 2008-02-05 18:14:50 (206 views)
  • eee gads man! that seal looked just awful.glad to see a nice, fresh one in place (nt) - ian 2008-02-05 16:50:06 (183 views)
  • Robert, man! I gotta hand it to you, it looks Great!!!! - IBHenry 2008-02-05 15:59:03 (169 views)
    • Thank. It took some serious debating whether I should do it. Now I'm glad I did (nt) - rg0115 (Robert G) 2008-02-05 18:08:23 (165 views)
  • Very nice. Night and day difference. (nt) - beechy 2008-02-05 15:57:21 (168 views)
  • Looks a kabillion times better, Robert! Nicely done! (nt) - SDmike 2008-02-05 15:40:26 (181 views)
    • Thx Mike, it was horrible, I couldn't stand it anymore. Not as flush as your - rg0115 (Robert G) 2008-02-05 15:46:32 (206 views)
  • So, do you have less wind noise at speed? (nt) - davidf 2008-02-05 15:21:53 (251 views)
    • BTW: any news on your tire presure control. Haven't heard from my friend that - rg0115 (Robert G) 2008-02-05 15:36:52 (172 views)
      • No word from seller...getting a bit nervous that I may not (nt) - davidf 2008-02-06 10:20:42 (165 views)
    • Honestly, I didn't notice any wind noise at least it didn't get worse. I've to - rg0115 (Robert G) 2008-02-05 15:34:39 (230 views)
  • Acceptable MOD (nt) - Blue740i 2008-02-05 15:18:06 (207 views)
  • Looks great Robert! E38.org material for sure! (nt) - absessler 2008-02-05 15:15:43 (176 views)