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stretched windshield gasket - what to do?

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Thor

Thor

Senior Member
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I see so many questions on installing a windshield I hate to post yet another one but I need some suggestions on how to approach the following problems:

1. After almost having the whole thing together I got so frustrated I stopped and took the whole thing apart because the glass/gasket seemed too far to one side and the more I attempted to shift it over the more the gasket seemed to distort.

Now the gasket seems to be stretched out about 1 inch or 2.
1a) Should I cut a section out of it so everything is snug again and seal it with silicone or something OR
2a) Just leave it and hope it will bunch up or something when I attempt to do this again?

Thanks
 
What year car?
 
My experience with rubber seals has led me to set the afflicted seal in the sun for a couple hours. The combination of heat and resting allows the rubber to reform to its original shape. Allowing you to try again, but if you still end up with extra then I would cut and superglue the ends together then silicon as necessary. During the installation process I use a solution of 1 part soap to 5 parts water to help move the rubber in place with less friction which helps on minimizing distortion.
Hope this helps you
Ɛan
 
Ok I got the new windshield and gasket to fit pretty well except in one corner and I think that has to do more with the frame then the gasket. If you go to my website pictures are near the bottom showing the gap, etc.
https://www.visn2.com/Flash%20Website/1500_Window_System.html


The frame is actually screwed tight in the picture but shows a pretty big gap between the lower section and side section. When I took the frame apart there was a fair amount of dried joint compound so I think this isn't a new issue.

The gasket on the window just above the red box is up and almost out of the frame. If I push it down I noticed there isn't even glass in that area to push outward against the frame so the gasket just pops up.

Suggestions on how to fit?
 
Or is the problem with the corner bracket?
 
Out curiosity, how did it fit before you took it apart? did it have the same issues with not fitting properly?
Next question is did the windshield glass footprint match up? were they the exact same dimensions?
 
The frame had the gap in it before I took it apart. I saw it had a fair amount of sealant between the corner bracket and gasket once I got it apart plus in between the corner frame and bottom piece.

I do wonder if its the bracket though. If I am able to screw the bracket down in that position it makes me wonder if the holes in the bracket are out of line, would the bracket being bent to that degree of distortion?

I guess the only way to find out is to take it apart for the 3rd time. Ouch!

I looked at the Moss and VB catalogs and see the bracket is a N/A item. I'll try and find a used bracket and see if that will correct the problem. It would be nice to have a better fit and not worry about that one corner being the drip gutter /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif and if another bracket doesn't do the trick I suppose its fill it with sealant and hope for the best or find a used frame that works better.
 
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