rubber failing around windshield / windscreen
- Thread starter wiseguy
- Start date
It does not look normal, but I would have it replaced by all means. Water ingress under the windshield can damage your electronics, which can be pricey.
That rubber molding is only there to fill the gap between the windshield and the frame. The windshield is epoxy sealed in place and the molding is press fit into place for cosmetic reasons only. You won't get water in even if you remove the molding. Buy a new molding from BMW and you can remove the old and install the new in less than 1/2 hour...no special tools required. The hardest part was digging out the old one as mine came to bits as I was pulling it out of the groove. Use plastic tools and take care not to scratch any paint surface.
I'm having difficulty finding the part number for this rubber gasket to fit a US spec 2007 roadster SI. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I've been browsing through http://www.trademotion.com and http://www.realoem.com/bmw/. I see bsmith_tsu has a post listing the part numbers fitting his car, but it appears to be a 2003 model. Apparently those guys were also having problems finding the right part #.
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6432&p=170209&hilit=windshield+rubber#p170209
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6432&p=170209&hilit=windshield+rubber#p170209
srhutch said:
oh dear. maybe national windscreens did a s**t job on mine then as its definatley not one piece. more like a moulded corner and then stright bits. it looks quite neat but is most certainly not one piecebit s**t really as a quick kick round the web looks like its only $30-40 and 20odd quid for us.
The one found on Realoem (part number 51317017021) is the same on all models across the E85/6 range so looks like its the right 'bit'. As domsz4 $36 on real OEM so about £22 on this side of the pond. 
National Windscreens - mmmmm several critical reports on here about thier quality and a couple of 'iffy experiences myself.
National Windscreens - mmmmm several critical reports on here about thier quality and a couple of 'iffy experiences myself.
domsz4 said:
Not surprising...I took mine to an auto glass place and they told me they would have to remove the windshield to replace the molding...a quick google told me otherwise and I picked up the one piece press fit molding from the dealer and installed it myself. I'll try to avoid any chain service, glass or otherwise, with my BMW as they appear to know nothing about them. Sounds like National used the wrong molding on your car so I suggest you take it back and point out the correct molding they should have used.
Stromtech said:domsz4 said:
Not surprising...I took mine to an auto glass place and they told me they would have to remove the windshield to replace the molding...a quick google told me otherwise and I picked up the one piece press fit molding from the dealer and installed it myself. I'll try to avoid any chain service, glass or otherwise, with my BMW as they appear to know nothing about them. Sounds like National used the wrong molding on your car so I suggest you take it back and point out the correct molding they should have used.
i had no choice as it was fixed thorugh my insurance there. when they took it off they reconed the previous glass wasnt wriginal either and that it had been mounted "a bit low"
yesterday there was a whistling above 70 on the motorway which im convinced wasnt there before so now im parnoid. i cant fault the fitting its neat and tidy and doesnt look odd. its not leaked or anything so i dont think i have any claim to get it refitted so i was wondering if it would be a good idea to get one of these and fit it myself. how do they go on? are they put onto the screen before its bonded onto the car?
The screen is attached to the car with urethane and the rubber molding is press fit into the slot between the frame and the screen after the urethane dries. It is purely cosmetic. The one piece U shaped molding is available from any dealer. It cost me about $50 CDN dollars and takes about 20-30 min to install, with most of that time for removing the old one and cleaning out the channel.
just to clear a few things up..
the rubber trim is just that,a trim,it is cosmetic and not a seal.
the trim is normally fitted to the glass and then the glass is bonded in place,although with a little effort you can fit them with the glass in place.
I work at autoglass and have fitted lots of these.
hope this helps
the rubber trim is just that,a trim,it is cosmetic and not a seal.
the trim is normally fitted to the glass and then the glass is bonded in place,although with a little effort you can fit them with the glass in place.
I work at autoglass and have fitted lots of these.
hope this helps
robertfyfe
New member
The new trim is one piece, the top and two sides all as one. The three parts each have a light gauge metal U channel bounded into the rubber. The channel slips over the edges of the sides and top of the glass BEFORE the glass is bounded in place.
I managed to crack my windshield trying to get the old molding out. I am going to try safelight (in the USA) for replacement. They have quoted $300.00 which includes the rain sensor rearview mirror bracket, Taxes and disposal fee. They say about two hours is needed
I would not attempt this again and I have done a lot of auto repairs.
I managed to crack my windshield trying to get the old molding out. I am going to try safelight (in the USA) for replacement. They have quoted $300.00 which includes the rain sensor rearview mirror bracket, Taxes and disposal fee. They say about two hours is needed
I would not attempt this again and I have done a lot of auto repairs.
This is beating a dead (horse) thread, but I haven't logged in for a few months. I managed to change the rubber seal around my windshield with no damage to the windshield. It was a PITA, nevertheless, as the new one didn't want to go on very easily. It's been on for months now, and looks so much better. I'd say it was 1-1.5 hours to dig out the old pieces and get the new one in place.
After I had finished the install, I noticed the cowl below the windshield is starting to chip and break. $#&%&$*$!
BMW made a great car in the E85, but these bits should not be withering away after 5 years.
After I had finished the install, I noticed the cowl below the windshield is starting to chip and break. $#&%&$*$!
BMW made a great car in the E85, but these bits should not be withering away after 5 years.
