E46 windshield weather strip

[zippy320]

Hi Guys

The windshield weather strip on my car has come loose at the top, Its been on the car since new . Does not have any cracking or chips or anything of the sort, it isn't that hard either ,so not much sun damage, my car is garaged most of the time unless its in use.

I purchased a new weather strip from BMW , Part number 51318196162

How do I replace this part? Iv heard and read in many places that this part cant be replaced without taking the windshield off, Is this true?

It does not seem to be any glue holding it in place, it looks like it clips onto the windshield glass surround.

Can I pull the old piece off and slip the new piece in or does the windshield have to come off ?

Thanks for all assistance, I really appreciate it.

 

[zippy320]

Update: So I took the car to Pg Auto-glass this afternoon , the guy had told me that it does not glue onto the vehicle, it clips onto the windscreen . But the windscreen still needs to be removed in order for them to clip it on and theirs a chance that the windscreen can crack.
I find it hard to believe that the screen needs to be removed if it clips on.

Has anyone done this? All forums online show this , but for other bmws like the E39 and E90 .
This isn't a gasket or sealing item for the windscreen , its more a trim piece.

Anyone?

 

[DieselFan]

Thought I replied to this. I'm assuming the windscreen has been replaced at some point. And if the rubber popped out at the top. Then there is an even bigger chance it was not installed correctly.

They are probably right saying the windscreen has to come out

 

[zippy320]

Hi Guys,

Well I couldn't wait , and I didn't really believe that I would have to remove the windshield just to add a clip on trim piece so with a little digging through the TIS , I found instructions on replacing this piece. Windshield on my car is original . So I didnt want to remove it just for this.

Step 1 : Remove old rubber by folding the edges in towards the windshield.
Step 2 : Remove rubber
Step 3 : Clean up the area ( the gap between car metal and glass)
Step 4 : Lubricate that area as well as the new rubber piece with soapy water
Step 5 : Slide new rubber onto windshield glass
Step 6 : Check if everything's fitting tight and the ( Aluminum grips are holding onto the glass edge .

Took me around 30 minutes.

Done

I have attached a pictures of the completed job (sorry if its to large , I don't know how to resize it)

Will take the car for a spin tomorrow and see how it goes.

The part wasn't that pricing, around R350 for the piece from BMW .

 

[zippy320]

Update :
So I drove the car today,High speed (not that high) , parked it in the hot sun , and shade , as well as washed it .
Happy to say , No leaks , no wind noises , no issues . Piece stays in place and is very secure.

So in future if anyone says that in order to replace the windscreen trim on an E46 , you need to remove the windscreen, Don't do it , Removing the screen (unless you wish to replace it) is a risky , inconvenient and unnecessary , costly task , and you never know if the screen guys are going to reinstall your screen again properly or crack it and ask that you fit a new one.

Hope this helps someone.
Regards

 

[DieselFan]

Happy to hear you got it sorted. Well done

 

[Gizmo]

That windshield trim is usually replaced each time they replace the windshield and in this day and age it's very seldom to find a car with its original windshield still in place.
Every single windshield I have lost over the years has been from bloody SUVs shooting up stones with their knobbly tyres.

 

[wezza320d]

Howzit,

I worked at the Rosslyn plant till after the E90 launch. You do not need to remove the windscreen to fit that finisher. We used to replace them quite often due to the fact that they needed to line up 100% the same on left and right hand sides. You remove it starting on one of the lower corners, carefully lifting it up and out. To fit the new one, you start by fitting the top cross section first using some soapy water to help slide it in and also tap it in with the heel of your hand. Then after lining it up the same distances on both sides, you insert, using the water, any of the sides, carefully tapping it in. They do clip in, but you do not need to remove the windscreen to fit the finisher.

FYI. The windscreens use to be fitted by 2 fitment technicians by hand. Later , before E90, they had a robotic arm fitting the windscreen perfectly. The technician's only job was to set up the windscreen on a stand. The robot even applied the sealant. Hope this helps!

 

[zippy320]

Thanks for all the assistance guys! really appreciate it,

I don't think my windshield has been replaced, we had the car from new , and i don't remember replacing it , The windshield is original BMW pilkington. , I taught maybe with age , the rubber probably shrunk or has became hard. The Windshield on our E30 is still original as well,has a few chips and nicks , as well as that sandblasted sort of look, but we have never changed it, Had that car from new as well. Its rubber has started to do the same thing, around one corner, I haven't gotten around to replacing it , thought I might as well replace it when the time comes to replace the windscreen , though the cars hardly used now.

Thus far though

the new rubber works really well.
Its become a lot more firm and tight in place. No wind noise either.

@ Gizmo , I cant agree with you more! My dads two week old sonata just had its windscreen cracked by a stone kicked off a truck. Very annoying. I try and keep my distance from cars on the road especially on highways, but sometimes things just happen.

Thanks again for all the assistance!