My First Garage

Now that you’ve been introduced to Elise, a 1974 BMW 2002, (my current project), it’s time to get down to work.  The first order of business is replacing the windshield seal and trim.

BMW 2002 Windhsield trim

Tools needed:

• tarpor sheet to cover hood
• old pillow to set windshield on
• Screwdriver to remove windshield wipers
• rope to pull seal into place
• windshield install tool to put in plastic trim
• Windex to lubricate the seal and clean the glass
• bucket of HOT water

To get you up to speed, the windshield on the BMW 2002 is held in by a tight fitting piece of rubber, and a plastic trim piece that locks everything together.    Over the last 35 years, the rubber seal, which should be soft, flexible, and rubbery, became hard, brittle, and cracked.  The plastic trim was broken in several places, and there was even a section that would flap in the wind near the driver’s window when I drove her.

Not only did it look ugly, but it if it rained it wasn’t waterproof, and it was also a safety hazard.  The last thing you want in your car is a loose windshield.

So it had to be replaced.  This was the first time for me. I had no idea how to remove a windshield, but how hard could it be?  The first thing I did was cover the hood with an old flannel bed sheet to protect the paint.  Then using a screwdriver I removed the windshield wipers.Very carefully, to avoid cracking or chipping the glass, I began to pull out the trim and hard rubber.  It didn’t take much to pull away all the old black crud, and have the glass completely removed.

I ordered a new seal and trim (about $100)from www.bmwpartsstore.com, a few days before, so I had everything I needed to put in a new windshield, or so I thought…

First I put a pillow on the hood and then set the windshield on that.  This was to elevate and protect the glass.  I wanted unrestricted access to all 4 sides so I could slide the trim on.  The black rubber trim went on really easy.  I just started at one corner, and slowly worked around the perimeter.  It was easy to stretch the last little bit on, too.

Then I inserted a 1/4 rope into the groove on the outside of the trim.  This is totally needed because once you put the windshield in place, you need to pull the rubber lip over the metal frame of the opening.  And the rope makes this job super simple.  I made sure to have the rope start and end in the center of the bottom section, right above the dashboard, too.  By the way, if you have any loose headliner or vinyl trim, you might want to use some spray adhesive to seal it down, otherwise you will have a hard time pushing it under the rubber once everything is in place.  I wasn’t too worried about this step, as I plan on replacing all the interior in the coming weeks.

Now I carefully lifted the windshield into the opening, and centered it top to bottom, and left to right.  Then, working through the open driver’s and passenger side windows, I carefully pulled the rope, and simultaneously pressed on the outside of the glass with my hand to press the glass into place while the rubber lip rolled over the metal edge.  It took about 5 minutes to work around the entire windshield, and was super easy.

But then came the hard part.  I spent the next 2 hours trying to fit in the plastic trim into the outside groove.  I didn’t have the special tool, so I was trying to do in with my hands and tons of windex only, and it ended up being impossible.  After searching on-line for some tricks and tips, I learned you need this Windshield Locking Strip Tool, and it helps to soak the plastic trim in super hot water first to make it flexible. So I went on-line and ordered the tool (with expedited shipping).

After 2 days, I got the right tool for the job, and set outside to finish the job. I submerged the trim into a bucket of hot water, and magically it became super flexible, which made the job really, really easy. To install the windhsield trim I first sprayed windex all over the rubber trim, then starting at the bottom center of the windshield carefully fit in the tool, and trim together. The tool works in two ways at the same time. The first part slides into the opening, and spreads the rubber open. Then the trim slides in, and the back part of the tool pushes it into the open section. I used a combination of pushing and pulling to work around the entire wind screen.

Honestly, It took me a couple of attempts. I’d start and then notice that my technique wasn’t correct and a section didn’t seal correctly.  Or I would try to go around one of the corners and the trim got twisted, so it didn’t lay down just right.  But I’d simply pull the trim out  of the groove, and start all over.  In addition to the three tricks I’ve already mentioned(tool, windex, and hot water), I’ll add that you need to make sure the trim isn’t twisted, and work quickly so it stays warm and flexible.  By  twisted I mean that the  trim has a tendency to curl around on itself, and if that happens, its won’t go into the groove properly.

Once I had the proper technique for installing windshield trim, the total job took about 8 minutes.  When I was finished I had an extra 10 inches or so that I just trimmed even and  then I put on the  little bright metal cap at the bottom to cover the open edges using my fingers.

Have you tried to install a windshield on your own?  How did it turn out?  Share your comments below!