windshield gasket help

[Ian Bowers]

OE BMW ordered through Blunttech, Steve said it happened before recently. It wasn't an issue with him, I just think BMW may have had a bad batch that are circulating, or I just got unlucky.

[StereoInstaller1]

sounds like it was that last bit

[Van Westervelt]

I dont know if there is a change, but I have seen some of the gaskets that do and some that dont have the drain holes in the bottom corners.... just sayin

[bmwstephen]

I recently ordered some brand new windshield gaskets, using realOEM set to my car (91 318iS) and they were way, way fucking off. You could push the windshield through with your hand, and there was a gap all the way around. It sucked.

Take that with a grain of salt

they are a pain. I've spoke with many windshield installers who at one point worked with windshields that are similar to ours. Pretty much.. new gaskets from the factory are a pain in the ass to install. they have not preshrunk to accommodate the frame and glass. even these experts are reluctant to use new gaskets anymore because no one is experienced enough to perform these "pull in" windshields. The correct way, if you were to use a new gasket I heard is to 1) mount the gasket on the windshield first 2) wrap a thick nylon string around the gasket next 3) set the windshield ontop of the frame. 3) from the inside of the car, pull the nylon string so that the rubber gasket will stretch into the frame. it's a little hard to explain but its demonstrated in the video below.

skip to 3:00 minutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhcTSF9KVMs

alternatively, they recommend getting used windshield gaskets from the wreck yard which leads me to my last point...

last but not least people, I can careless about the fitment of the chrome or schwarz locking strip. my concern, and reason for creating this thread is because there appears to be a revision of the windshield gasket according to the bentley manual and realoem.com during 1987. I was wondering if anyone has tried to install a late model windshield RUBBER gasket on to an early model windshield frame or vice versa. aside from the updated the wheel arches and valences for the e30 during its face-lift, I'm essentially wondering if the windshield frame were revised as well

[gmyers395]

There are two different rubber moldings. One Pre 88 and one from 88 and up. The glass however is the same for all models except cabrio and M3. Pre 88: 51 31 1 913 887. 88 and up: 51 31 1 972 248. You can get them from pelican or bimmerspecialists.

[bmwstephen]

There are two different rubber moldings. One Pre 88 and one from 88 and up. The glass however is the same for all models except cabrio and M3. Pre 88: 51 31 1 913 887. 88 and up: 51 31 1 972 248. You can get them from pelican or bimmerspecialists.

forgive me because this is starting to tick me off when people post information I can careless about but yes I am aware that there is a difference between the part numbers as suggested by all my previous responses. I just want to know if those mouldings are cross compatible. It is a pain to deal with newer gaskets period so used is the only way to go. unfortunately there are a lot more pre 88 vehicles in the junk yard than there is post so I want to know if the gaskets are cross compatible between the years. specifically, have there been any chances in terms of the windshield pinch weld, A pillars etc... read my thread people!

[gmyers395]

I doubt anyone has ever tried it. I also doubt you would have troubles with a new rubber. I do glass for a living and I have never had troubles with new rubber. Most of the time it makes things easier. Also, I don't think BMW would change a part that looks no different for no reason at all so it is probably different how the molding attaches to the car.

[bmwstephen]

I'm not doubting you either because I've consulted a lot of experts, but let me ask you how frequently have you replace pull in style windshields with new rubbers? of the 6 window guys I've consulted, all of them had issue with the new rubber. Although not impossible, it is a lengthy process that only experts back in the 70s and 80s when this type of windshield was standard, are confident enough to do it. now-a-days people are used to the bonding type of windshield.

In addition, many members here who've purchased new rubbers for their gasket ran into the same issues as I did. no body shop or window guy knew the nylon string method of installing. and even if they did, I wouldn't hire their service until they have a record of doing this before.

contrary to not looking any different, the gaskets themselves do according to the Bentley manual. the later model gaskets has frame reinforcement wedges inside the rubber. the airbag cars have even more thick ones than the revised 88+ gasket to ensure the windshield doesn't pop-out in case the cabin pressure increases unexpectedly when the airbag is deployed.

considering all this, lets revisit my initial question, the windshields are the same p/n across the years, the gaskets are not the same p/n, provided BMW didn't alter the pinch welds on the A pillar, then yes the gaskets should be compatible. Question is, has anyone tried to cross fit the different gaskets? I can easily find out myself, but before I blow another $100 bucks to replace lock strips only to find out that the the gaskets are not compatible, I want to see anyone has experience with my situtation.

[Ceeker]

I'm not doubting you either because I've consulted a lot of experts, but let me ask you how frequently have you replace pull in style windshields with new rubbers? of the 6 window guys I've consulted, all of them had issue with the new rubber. Although not impossible, it is a lengthy process that only experts back in the 70s and 80s when this type of windshield was standard, are confident enough to do it. now-a-days people are used to the bonding type of windshield.

In addition, many members here who've purchased new rubbers for their gasket ran into the same issues as I did. no body shop or window guy knew the nylon string method of installing. and even if they did, I wouldn't hire their service until they have a record of doing this before.

contrary to not looking any different, the gaskets themselves do according to the Bentley manual. the later model gaskets has frame reinforcement wedges inside the rubber. the airbag cars have even more thick ones than the revised 88+ gasket to ensure the windshield doesn't pop-out in case the cabin pressure increases unexpectedly when the airbag is deployed.

considering all this, lets revisit my initial question, the windshields are the same p/n across the years, the gaskets are not the same p/n, provided BMW didn't alter the pinch welds on the A pillar, then yes the gaskets should be compatible. Question is, has anyone tried to cross fit the different gaskets? I can easily find out myself, but before I blow another $100 bucks to replace lock strips only to find out that the the gaskets are not compatible, I want to see anyone has experience with my situtation.

I just recently replaced my convertible glass with a coupe glass and it was the same. I also removed the window coupe seal and used it for the convertible. I took a lock strip from a sedan and used that but it looks like it shrank a bit as the lock strip tab doesn't cover both ends.

I have "heard" that vert and coupe windows are different size. I didn't see this being the case in my once only experience. the glass fit snug as with the seal and lock strip. sure it was tricky putting everything back when you disturb the position of things. But it worked.

the cars were close in production year so perhaps this is the reason it did work out? both cars were 87-88.

In response to the 91-318is windshield falling through the rubber seal; perhaps the windshield was changed at some point and the glass was smaller? of course one could tell simply by looking for the bmw logo at the bottom left corner to establish whether the glass is oem. I haven't had this happen to be in the 15 bmw e30's I've owned.

[lbreevesii]

I would like a bit more info and experiences with this as well. I'm considering replacing my gaskets when I do my glass.

In my case it is a 91 318is, but it no longer has the stock airbag.

Does anyone know if the cheaper, non airbag gasket will have the same fitment as the airbag version?

[jetavdk]

All,

I've been searching this site and came upon this thread. Does anyone know what the physical difference is between these three gaskets? The OP seems to have gotten frustrated with the responses and given up.

I am not looking to know about the insert changing from chrome to black, my question is on the difference of the actual rubber gaskets. The actual glass is the same between the coupe and sedan.

51 31 1 913 887 to 9/87

51 31 1 972 248 post 9/87

51 31 1 962 985 post 9/87 w/Airbag

Thanks!