S3 Windscreen Moulding & Install Query

[klev]

I have a new one-piece (closed) moulding installed on my S3 F/H and am experiencing much difficulty fitting the glass. (Rear light was no problem at all.) I can't get the bottom of the glass into the slot deep enough. It seems the angle is off. Now, Dave Bean sells the moulding by the foot - that is - it is not a single (closed) piece.

Has anyone experience or knowledge of any differences in dimension or design between the two mouldings?

I'm fairly certain I have the rubber installed correctly. I think with the closed-loop type it can only fit one way since the bottom corners are mitred.

Any suggestions much appreciated as I was close to breaking the glass in frustration after several hours without success.

Thanks and Happy Motoring

[nebogipfel]

Klev,

I had the same problem a while back trying to fit the screen in my D/H.

After many attempts, frustration, swearing and wrestling with the thing it went in. I found that if I fitted the bottom of the glass first the screen would not lay back far enough to get the top in!!


The method which worked for me was lots of soapy water, fit the rubber to the aperture first and then put the screen in by putting the TOP in first and then working the bottom corners in.

It's a struggle because gravity is working against you but it worked for me

[hatman]

That sounds good - I, for one, am now reasonably confident about my ability to re-fit the windscreen into my car. My problem is that I haven't taken it out yet (to repaint the surround) - what's the recommended method for getting the screen out in one piece? Anybody done it, or should I send for the pros?

[klev]

Mine came out fairly easily once I pried away the locking strip. Just a bit of pushing around the edges.

Still no luck with the install. I will try the top 'first method' when I can get a helper to staedy the bottom. I'd rather not scratch the bodywork again.

It appears that the angle of the slot (in the moulding) the glass goes into on the bottom is too close to horizontal. Difficulty in fitting the bottom of the glass deep enough in that slot.

Thanks for the input so far.

[mac5777]

Hi, I just installed both windscreens on my 67 elan coupe. You are right Dave Bean had the rubber seals for both windows but had to be cut to fit. RD enterprises has a few one piece rubber seals for the front screen, not the back. I cut the angle into the rubber seal on the rear window and superglued it together, making a one piece seal for the back and it was strong. After doing one there is a techique that works, just a little at a time. I found soapy water works best and the back glass was easy. As you work it in a little at a time it seems to settle in with a little jiggling. I would not want to do it for a living.

mac5777
1967 elan coupe S3 LHD
36/5785

[hatman]

When fitting a screen, don't the pros put a length of string all the way round (and into) the channel in the rubber surround, push one edge of the screen into the channel then work the rest of the channel over the glass by gradually pulling the string (and the rubber 'lip') out from behind the glass? Just checking.

[nebogipfel]

Hatman, I have used the string method many times over the years but it would not work on the Elan.

After countless attempts by myself and at times two helpers the only method which worked was the one described above.

I'm not really sure why the Elan screen is such a pain. It is small and quite curved I suppose but is certainly the most difficult peice of glass I have ever fitted.

Klev, You certainly need at least two people.

Hatman, The safest way is to cut the rubber and fit a new one! Otherwise remove the fillet strip and then genly push the rubber off the edge of the aperture. The problem with laminated glass is any flaw or chip especially near the edge of the screen will often be the source of a crack when you put pressure on the glass to remove it

[klev]

At least it's good to know that it IS a difficult job. (I don't feel quite so inept.) Of course, that's the bad news as well.

OK, so I will try it again with two people. Eventually.

Thanks all.

Ken

[Matt7c]

I bought a new windscreen for my S2 from ebay - brand new and ?80. Good deal, but it gets even better! Turned out the chap selling it was a car mobile windscreen fitter, and quite a large company at that. They shipped the screen to the Gloucester branch and turned up a few days later to fit it. Charged ?18 to fit it and similar amount for the new rubber. They even gave me a locking strip for free 'cos I didn't know it was separate and hadn't ordered one.

It took 2 pros about a hour of faffing to fit it, putting the rubber on first, slotting the window into it bottom first, then fitting the locking strip. Without the lock strip, I didn't believe it would stay in - way too loose, but they sorted it in the end, although they had special tools!

Total cost ?134, fitted. But it gets better than that! The chaps gave me a complete spare rubber and locking strip. Better still, they forgot to bring the invoice! They were supposed to come back the day after, but I haven't seen them since! So far, I have a new windscreen fitted for free. But even when I pay, I think ?134 is less than the cost of a new one from a Lotus parts place. :rolleyes:

[klev]

Maybe I'll ship the car to England for installation ...

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Hi,
I had problems with my S4 windscreen. I had bought a new replacement rubber and filler strip. A friend with plenty of experience helped me. He used the usual method of fitting the rubber to the screen and then with a length of strong cord fitted into the groove in the rubber which fits over the bodywork (windscreen surround) he gradually pulled the inner lip into the inside of the car. This worked very well with the second replacement rubber. The first rubber surround had two faults which made it impossible to fit. The rubber was too big i.e. it was a sloppy fit when placed onto the windscreen. The rubber was too hard, making it very inflexible. Both of these problems made it impossible to fit the screen into the car. The same supplier provided the second rubber & could not explain why the first one had these faults. I expect that a rubber that has been in storage for a long time could display these faults.
John

[klev]

Thanks John. Please describe "sloppy fit". The moulding I am using fits in the opening, but seems to have a slight bulge remaining. I think this will be smoothed out when glass is pressed in.

My suspicion also that rubber might be hard. I just purchased it, but it could be old I'm thinking. Waiting for sample from another supplier for comparison.

Ken

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

"Sloppy fit"
When fitting the "dodgy" rubber to the windscreen before fitting it into the car it was loose and kept dropping off the bottom of the screen. i.e. The perimiter of the rubber was greater than the perimeter of the screen. This meant that this amount of excess rubber also had to be compressed when fitting into the screen aperture in the car & required excess force. It actually was impossible.
The replacement rubber was shorter & softer & had to be stretched onto the windscreen. This made life much easier.
Please think about your method of assembly. I have not seen many screens fitted, but the ones I have witnessed have always fitted the rubber first to the screen. The aperture and rubber then lubricated with Petroleum jelly, paraffin oil or something similar.
A strong cord (about 4mm dia.) is then fitted into the rubber outer groove starting & finishing at the top middle. The screen fitted with the rubber is then pushed up into the upper part of the screen aperture. Then from the inside the cord is slowly but firmly pulled out equally from left & right, this pulls the inner lip if the seal into the inner surface of the aperture. With the "dodgy" rubber this was also very difficult because the rubber was too hard & subsequntly not very flexible. During this process a second person should be pressing the windscreen into place from the outside.
Hope this is of some help.
All the best.
John

[klev]

Thank you John, for the detailed reply! I will re-evaluate the installation method recommended by just about everyone else (rubber on body/glass fit to rubber) I have asked. Also the shop manual. I will also fit the rubber to the glass to see if it is sized properly.

Never give up!

Happy Motoring,
Ken