dtortoise9
Well-Known Member
Are these still available from BMW or has someone come up with a replacement. This sort of cloth/rubber/wire pice fits inside window channel and acts as a glide for the glass.
Front window "U" channel
- Thread starter dtortoise9
- Start date
Around $50/meter from BMW but replacements are out there for half as much, it's 9/16" from my observations and is unbeaded, meaning no steel edge is visible. I have been meaning to order some to confirm. Same size for e3, 2002 and NK sedans.
www.tomkinsonbmwparts.com
Part number 51326654262
Part number 51326654262
pmansson
Well-Known Member
Incorrect spec from W&N
and probably BMW as well.
A few years ago, I changed this on a couple of cars. The result was that the windows were even slower in operation esp the top 25% of the distance. It did not help to use a spray, pry open with a screwdriver or simply leave the glass in place for several months. It was only when I found some of this product (enough for about 3 door windows) at my other garage that I realized what the problem was. The piece I found in my garage in Stockholm had been bought at BMW in the mid 80s and turned out to be about 15% thinner on the sides, leaving more space for the glass inside the U-shaped felt channel. It might be that the current producer in Germany has changed the spec according to my complaint to W&N, but I doubt it. So before you throw away the old ones, check very carefully against what you get when you buy new ones at whatever source you use. There is surely only one manufacturer of this product, sold in rolled form in as long lengths as you order.
and probably BMW as well.
A few years ago, I changed this on a couple of cars. The result was that the windows were even slower in operation esp the top 25% of the distance. It did not help to use a spray, pry open with a screwdriver or simply leave the glass in place for several months. It was only when I found some of this product (enough for about 3 door windows) at my other garage that I realized what the problem was. The piece I found in my garage in Stockholm had been bought at BMW in the mid 80s and turned out to be about 15% thinner on the sides, leaving more space for the glass inside the U-shaped felt channel. It might be that the current producer in Germany has changed the spec according to my complaint to W&N, but I doubt it. So before you throw away the old ones, check very carefully against what you get when you buy new ones at whatever source you use. There is surely only one manufacturer of this product, sold in rolled form in as long lengths as you order.
i bought it from walloth 6 years ago, and installed those channels in the past recent years
they fit ok and worked ok so far,...
they fit ok and worked ok so far,...
pmansson
Well-Known Member
Interesting
as I bought them from W&N at that time. I did however have interesting discussions with them regarding the size, and even sent them a small specimen of the 1988 NOS product. They said they would look into it.... Perhaps I did this 7 years ago and you were lucky to get the newer product. I still haven´t bothered to change them, with all the work involved....
as I bought them from W&N at that time. I did however have interesting discussions with them regarding the size, and even sent them a small specimen of the 1988 NOS product. They said they would look into it.... Perhaps I did this 7 years ago and you were lucky to get the newer product. I still haven´t bothered to change them, with all the work involved....
This was a test for match, but I think one for each rear window and one for a pair of fronts, so three?
probably it is around 2,5 meters, but 3 is ok for being sure, normally they damage the ends where they cut the piece
Yes, the ends are not trimmed square...
I thought this piece goes into the frame near the wing windows to guide the front window ?
yes, but it is limited in length by the path that the lower carrier has to run in the naked channel
that carrier placed in the upper window position limits the length of the rubber U strip
Rek
Well-Known Member
Just for reference if anyone is buying this.
www.woolies-trim.co.uk
£5 per metre. Quite a lot of change out of $42 per metre.
Flexible Window Channel
Single track flexible metal covered in felt/rubber. Can be squeezed to take 4.7 or 6mm (3/16" or 1/4") glass.Approx 14mm (9/16") overall width Will hold it's shape when bent but will need support.Coils for posting per metre
£5 per metre. Quite a lot of change out of $42 per metre.
Steelerubber has them for us here in the states. I do not take the credit for finding it, but will endorse that it is a perfect fit.
https://www.steelerubber.com/unbeaded-rubber-channel-70-3572-58
https://www.steelerubber.com/unbeaded-rubber-channel-70-3572-58
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I’ve used generic 9/16” x 1/2.”