weatherstrip question

[dbower]

I'm replacing the vertical weatherstrips at the leading edge of the rear side windows. These are the tubular strips that "seal" (I use that term loosely) the rear side glass against the door side glass. Some questions:
- it appears that the old weatherstrips were glued to the glass. Any recommendations on what adhesive to use? I assume 3M makes something specifically for rubber-to-glass.
- I'm thinking that the order of installation should be rubber to glass, then metal trim piece slid over the rubber U-channel, then the rubber bead poked into the metal channel. Other recommendations? Without talc or some liquid rubber lube, sliding the metal trim over the rubber seems more theoretical than actually possible, but will using a lube cause the metal trim piece to work loose later?
- does the metal trim strip get glued to the rubber? I did not see any old adhesive on mine, but these may have been replaced before.
- the rubber strip appears to be slightly longer than it needs to be. Before I cut it too short, do these shrink in length over time?

Let the rubber/lube/shrink jokes begin.

Don

 

[HB Chris]

I have done this a few times. No glue needed anywhere and yes you need to trim the top end to fit against the door seal. Put rubber into trim piece and then slip over glass. A little rubber lube helps to slide it on.

Chris

 

[deQuincey]

I have done this a few times. No glue needed anywhere and yes you need to trim the top end to fit against the door seal. Put rubber into trim piece and then slip over glass. A little rubber lube helps to slide it on.

Chris

+1

no glue
rubber into aluminium trim (a PITA)
then all to the glass
if possible no lube, again, if possible

 

[Arde]

Same here, I put them like Chris says with no adhesive. There were heated debates on the topic and out of respect for Murray's opinion one must try the no adhesive option first.

No jokes today, the method was pushing with thumb and screwdriver if needed.

 

[HB Chris]

Arde,

No humor today? Are you feeling OK? Any seminars scheduled down this way anytime soon? OK, that's enough questions for now.

Chris

 

[Arde]

Arde,

No humor today? Are you feeling OK? Any seminars scheduled down this way anytime soon? OK, that's enough questions for now.

Chris

May go to Manhattan Beach to celebrate wedding anniversary this week end.

 

[pmansson]

Trimming at the bottom

I too have replaced many of these. I find the top profile (of the vertical quarter light seal)very good in resting against the main doorglass to roof rubber seal. I therefore cut off a few cm at the bottom, using a pair of sharp scissors or a fresh razor blade. The trick it to cut if off, so that it just slips behind the alu profile in the lower "B-post" when lowering the window (which I don´t do very often). You don´t want to cut it too short though.

 

[dbower]

done

Just to close the loop on this little repair, and perhaps for posterity, here is how I did it:
- carefully removed rubber/aluminum strip from glass by tapping with a nylon wedge
- cleaned edge of glass thoroughly
- cleaned the metal trim carefully
- per guidance here, carefully embedded rubber bead into metal channel.
- bandaged my bleeding thumbs
- drank beer #1
- attempted to slip rubber/metal assembly onto glass edge, without lube or adhesive
- having failed at above, tried twine, floss, and tiny screwdriver to get it onto the glass
- now at hour #4, time for beer #2, renew bandages
- sit and ponder the situation, knowing that the factory did not have this much trouble
- retired to man cave to watch football
- next day, took car to old auto glass guy for his advice. His comment: "I'll do any glass on this car except the windshield. Never again." (He had tried to replace a friend's windshield with the dashboard in.)
- he immediately pulled the rubber out of the metal trim strips. I began to tear up.
- he sprays foamy auto glass cleaner onto rubber and presses them onto glass edge - no lube or adhesive
- he fits the metal trim over the rubber and taps it home with a rubber mallet
- he straightens the metal bead channel that he just deformed with the mallet
- he presses the rubber bead into the channel with his thumbs in about a minute per side
- we test the seal and realize that (a) the door windows need to be adjusted, and (b) the rear windows were not raised completely. Seal is much improved with rear windows raised. Duh.

Don

 

[Arde]

Real men never use mallets.

 

[rsporsche]

Real men never use mallets.

Arde, are you really saying that we just know how to use the BFH?

 

[Arde]

Arde, are you really saying that we just know how to use the BFH?

There are hammers and there are knuckles. Nothing in between.