New front windshield rubber gasket to big?

[alpinewhite318i]

I just purchased the rubber front windshield gasket for my 84 318i. I went to install it and it appears to be to big! It fits the pinch welds ok but I can't get the whole gasket in. Has anyone else run into this issue?

[lbreevesii]

Make sure you got the right part number. There is a difference in the gasket between early and late cars.

[ZM Blue Devil]

did you buy oe or aftermarket?

[bmwstephen]

early and late model gaskets doesn't matter. but when buying new, these gaskets need to be hammered into submission. there is a trick you have to do by applying the gasket onto the windshield first and lockstrips in first,

then secure a nylon rope around the grooves that sit in the pinch-weld. rest the gasket on the windshield area of the car and start pulling the rope from the inside of the car and the rubber gaskets should bite over the pinch welds. thats how they did it from the factory and this is the sole reason why I never buy these things brand new

[alpinewhite318i]

I bought a factory one from ESC Tuning, at least it is suppose to be one. I will give the nylon rope method a try. Thanks for the information!

[bmwstephen]

it;s a headache. trust me, very few people can do it right even most glass installers that don't have a 20+ year history can't do it. If I were you, I'd go to the yard and get a good used set and just resinsert it to the pinch welds since it's pre-shrunk

[agent]

I just did both seals on my car. It's not easy, but it can be done.

The seal won't be molded to shape, so get it lined up where its seam is centered along the bottom. Try and compress the seal into itself as much as you can as you work your way around - the opposite of stretching it. For me it took a LOT of coaxing, and a lot of going back to re-do (and "tighten up") sections I thought were done. I installed my front seal with the dash in, though I think it would be much easier with it out.

If you want to go Stephen's route I have both a front and rear seal for sale. They're in good shape though they have a little overspray on them from a previous paint job. And they're pre-molded. :mrgreen:

[bmwstephen]

I just did both seals on my car. It's not easy, but it can be done.

The seal won't be molded to shape, so get it lined up where its seam is centered along the bottom. Try and compress the seal into itself as much as you can as you work your way around - the opposite of stretching it. For me it took a LOT of coaxing, and a lot of going back to re-do (and "tighten up") sections I thought were done. I installed my front seal with the dash in, though I think it would be much easier with it out.

If you want to go Stephen's route I have both a front and rear seal for sale. They're in good shape though they have a little overspray on them from a previous paint job. And they're pre-molded. :mrgreen:

you should've made a video chris! I would've shown my previous glass installer before he effed up my first new paint >=(

[agent]

Yeah I looked when I was putting that last post together, though apparently I didn't even take a picture of the car with the front seal installed before the glass went in.