How to install windsheild rubber

Discussion in '1947-1954' started by ol' chebby, Nov 21, 2012.

  1. ol' chebby

    ol' chebby Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2007
    Messages:
    3,164
    Location:
    Charlotte,NC
    Here goes.....
    Lay out the rubber, and install the trim in the little groove. Use lots of Windex here.
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    Now work in the glass...lay the whole assembly on the hood on a blanket.

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    Take time to pet the shop dog, Crickett.
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    Feed rope around the groove, leaving enough to leed out the ends. I like a thicker rope, it doesn't cut into the rubber.
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    Now set the whole thing up against the frame, lining up the center bar and the bottom lip should rest on the pinch mold.
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    Begin in the center on the bottom and pull the rope to draw the rubber over the pinch. Pull at different angles, generally perpendicular to the rubber.
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    After more pounding and colorful language, the glass wouldn't go in on the passenger side....the new glass, imagine that. I pulled it out and compared it to the origional broken glass, and found the cause. It is too big. I traced out the difference on the glass.
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    Now make several straight cuts to make the curve using a cheapo glass cutter, then turn pane over and cut on the EXACT line on the underside.
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    I used a set of adjustable pliers to grab and snap in small increments until both sides are broken all the way around. WEAR GOGGLES....this stuff flies.
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  2. ol' chebby

    ol' chebby Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2007
    Messages:
    3,164
    Location:
    Charlotte,NC
    Some say that you can squirt alcohol into the crack and light it to burn the plastic middle, I just used a razor blade. Cut the plastic and remove the leftovers. I highly reccommend shop vacing the whole area after this.
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    It looks rough, but you can sand into shape with a belt sander. Go slow with light pressure so no heat or vibrations break your glass.

    Now reassemble in the rubber and start over. I found that the center section need a little influencing to get centered. I used a phillips head screwdriver through the center bar metal to pry to the center. If the trim pops out of the rubber, swear at it and gently influence it back in, I used a dead blow hammer in small increments, also more windex....everywhere. I'll end up sealing behind the rubber with some window setting urethane to make shure no leaks.

    This is a little easier with a helper to press the glass in for you, but my neighbors go running when my garage door is open, guess I abused them too much for heavy lifting in the past.

    Thank god it is finished.
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  3. vwnate1

    vwnate1 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2000
    Messages:
    11,643
    Location:
    AMERICA !
    Good stuff !

    As usual Russ .

    FWIW , it's *very* important to not trim nor clean the rubber edges of the glass as doing so allows air to seep in over the next few years , this causes de lamination of the safety glass , bubbles and fogging .

    I often put a really thin line of window urethane in the rubber's slot before setting the glass into the rubber ~ some might moosh out but that's easy to clean up and you'll never get those pesky rain between the glass and rubber leaks this way .

    I also like to use very flexible elecrical wire , nylon or plastic rope works well too ~ the idea being you want something very slippery as you're pulling it out of the rubber......

    The thickness of the glass is critical so be sure to save the old , cracked glass as a sample as many Glass Shops won't give you the right stuff , new sytyle Safety Glass is thicker , they have to order in the correct stuff for you .

    DO NOT let this job intimidate you ! I was intimidated for many years but so many used cars came through my hands I finally decided to give it a try and Lo ! it wasn't so bad once I settled my fears and tried it.....
     

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