Windshield seal help needed! Photos added.

[KMOSES]

I just replaced the windshield, windshield seal and lock strip on my '87 325 restoration project. I used 51-31-1-913-887 manufactured by URO. After getting everything installed, I found that the windshield seal now touches the plastic grills below the windshield. On my other E30s there is a 1/8" gap between the plastic grills and the windshield seal. Has anyone else had this problem and if so what did you do to correct it? Do the seals shrink over time?

[Chuck C]

I just replaced the glass in a 318 with a Pilkington, and like every other time, had to push the glass toward the interior of the car to settle it into the seal a little bit. I just checked the gap between seal and grill--it's 1/8 inch. Maybe the new seal isn't completely seated?

[yahh]

URO products are known to be inferior. I would recommend changing it out if possible.

[KMOSES]

The new windshield I installed was also a Pilkington, and the size was spot on other than the lower corners not having a smooth radius. Are you pushing the windshield in befor or after the retaining strip is installed?

[bmwstephen]

uro gasket. that is the problem.

but on a side note, even oem gaskets brand new have fitment issues. the correct way to install a brand new seal is to fit it around the windshield glass first. YES this is done with the windshield off the car. then insert a vinyl cord around the mouth of the new seal and pull the windshield in from the inside. hard to describe but you can see how they do it on this 2002 from the factory

see the 3 minute mark

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

very difficult to do and very few glass professionals can even do this without scratching the paint up. your best bet is to find a good used windshield gasket (that has been preshrunk) and do it with your original method to save you some headaches.

[TobyB]

Seems like every time I put glass in with too little lube, that happens.

Then it settles in after a while.

I'd let it set for a while, and see what happens.

And I disagree about installation- the design of the 2002 gasket's very different than
the E30.

t

[Swanny]

I just have a pain in the ass with the lock strip. Such a bitch.

[KMOSES]

I took some photos showing the variance in gasket width.
Photo#1 = 1988 325is factory gasket (1.050" wide)


Photo#2 = 1987 325e gasket 3 years old (1.260" wide)


Photo#3 = 1987 325e new gasket by URO (1.430" wide)


The variance is 3/8". I guess it's back to BMW and a OEM windshield gasket!

[Ceeker]

windshield seal is evidently the problem. just go with factory.

[Ceeker]

I just have a pain in the ass with the lock strip. Such a bitch.

Trick to installing the lock strip without the special bmw tool. use lots of silicon spray, tuck one side of the strip you're working with in and a very small flat head screw driver. Takes about an hour.

[Swanny]

Trick to installing the lock strip without the special bmw tool. use lots of silicon spray, tuck one side of the strip you're working with in and a very small flat head screw driver. Takes about an hour.

I have the lock strip tool, i've used dish detergent as the lubricant in the past, its probably one of those things that if I did more than 1 every other year I would be adjusted to the speed i can pull on the tool without it popping out or kicking the other side of the lock strip out.

OP - that is some wild difference in gasket thickness! Hard to imagine they would change the design that many times for what seems to be a universal part.

[agent]

When it comes to rubber gaskets/seals, always use Genuine BMW.

[KMOSES]

Windshield seal on order from BMW.
The windshield lockstrip insertion tool I use was purchased from Bav Auto. I had to modify it to get it to stay in the slot but after a little grinding, sanding and polishing it works great! As purchased if you did not keep pressure on the tool it would pop out of the slot, now you can even let the tool go and it will stay in the slot. I will post a photo of the modifications in the morning.

Why are true "Learning Moments" always the result of a real screw up?

[KMOSES]

Bav. Auto windshield lockstrip insertion tool modification photo.
This keeps the tool from being pushed out of the lockstrip channel.

[dogsbark26]

Not having one of these tools on hand to compare it to, I can't tell what your modification was.

What did you modify about it?