windshield leak

[Dave WM]

while driving around yester day on a rainy day (1st time since I got the z I took out in the rain) if was able to find a leak at the rubber seal near both corners. You could see the water leak around the glass (its not a tight fit on the glass). I presume the correct fix is to remove the rubber gasket by cutting form the inside, remove the windshield, remove the stainless trim, the strip off the old rubber and replace with one of the 50$ gaskets found on line.

a few questions:

anyone in Orlando area know of a GOOD place to have this done.

is this something that I can do (I am pretty good at working with tools and have patience)

would using a sealant (buytal? based on some research done) applied to the outside joint of the rubber and glass around the perimeter stop the leak? even if temporary this would at least confirm its the gasket that is the source of the leak.

The glass looks OE but if I had to replace due to breaking it, is there good quality glass available?

Thanks

Dave

 

 

 

 

[siteunseen]

32 minutes ago, Dave WM said:

would using a sealant (buytal? based on some research done) applied to the outside joint of the rubber and glass around the perimeter stop the leak? 

This was done by the previous owner of my '77.  I don't think HE actually did it but most likely an auto glass business did.

[Dave WM]

so the sealant worked? One of my considerations was does it make removal of the glass later a problem? I assume not since the gasket will be trashed anyway.

Capt Obvious and I went for a drive around the block in the rain and I noticed a puddle of water in the center of the dash where the trim screw is located. At 1st it was WTF how did water get there, then we noticed while going around a corner water would run from the edge on top of the rubber gasket (top of gasket, part that goes on the bottom of the glass) and then drip into the center area of the dash near the windshield. You could literally pump the water under the glass by pushing on the outside bottom edge (noticeable gap) on the corner of the windshield.

Edited June 7, 2016 by Dave WM

[cbuczesk]

10 minutes ago, Dave WM said:

so the sealant worked? One of my considerations was does it make removal of the glass later a problem? I assume not since the gasket will be trashed anyway.

Capt Obvious and I went for a drive around the block in the rain and I noticed a puddle of water in the center of the dash where the trim screw is located. At 1st it was WTF how did water get there, then we noticed while going around a corner water would run from the edge on top of the rubber gasket (top of gasket, part that goes on the bottom of the glass) and then drip into the center area of the dash near the windshield. You could literally pump the water under the glass by pushing on the outside bottom edge (noticeable gap) on the corner of the windshield.

You might be able to do a temporary fix with some sealant. I'd give that a shot for now. And it won't add much if any work to the removal of the windshield later.

For removal I use a razor knife to cut out the stainless trim. Then I cut out the rubber on the outside of the windshield between the glass and rubber. You might have to cut on the inside of the windshield between the glass and gasket. Sometimes it sticks pretty good there.

Chuck

 

[Mark Maras]

 If you do need to remove the gaskets, an inexpensive (Harbor Freight) wood chisel works better than a razor knife to remove them. BTW, they also are great gasket scrapers.

[Dave WM]

56 minutes ago, cbuczesk said:

You might be able to do a temporary fix with some sealant. I'd give that a shot for now. And it won't add much if any work to the removal of the windshield later.

For removal I use a razor knife to cut out the stainless trim. Then I cut out the rubber on the outside of the windshield between the glass and rubber. You might have to cut on the inside of the windshield between the glass and gasket. Sometimes it sticks pretty good there.

Chuck

 

Oh I get it, cut from the outside so I can just lift out the glass leaving the gasket still in the frame, then with glass out pull out the gasket. I was thinking of cutting from the inside and pushing the glass/gasket out from the inside. I like your outside idea better. I assume the new gasket will be soft and work with the rope trick I have seen on youtube.

Edited June 7, 2016 by Dave WM

[black gold man]

Looking at my windshield out of car but not cleaned yet, installed by Nissan there is lots of sealer used on gasket to window .

Looks like they filed the gasket then put it on the glass. 1978 z

[cbuczesk]

5 minutes ago, Dave WM said:

Oh I get it, cut from the outside so I can just lift out the glass leaving the gasket still in the frame, then with glass out pull out the gasket. I was thinking of cutting from the inside and pushing the glass/gasket out from the inside. I like your outside idea better. I assume the new gasket will be soft and work with the rope trick I have seen on youtube.

Exactly! I wasn't sure if I explained that clearly. If you feel like you need to use a lot of pressure to get it out...don't! Get the razor knife out and cut more of the gasket until it wants to come out. I put the windshield on a stand and install the new gasket and then the stainless trim followed by the rope around the gasket. Use a lot of soapy water when you install it. It's not hard to do. Just take your time.

Chuck

 

[Dave WM]

makes since, one thing I have learned about mechanical work esp old stuff is not to push or rush.

[siteunseen]

2 hours ago, Dave WM said:

I assume the new gasket will be soft and work with the rope trick I have seen on youtube.

I've done two rear windows using that trick. It works great. I did my little pickup by myself but had to get someone to help on a bigger car window. I mowed yards for a few years and busted quite a few with my weedeater slinging rocks against glass on a hot interior car. 

white nylon rope worked best for me, 1/4 or 3/8". I can't remember which now.

[Captain Obvious]

Glad to ummm, help?  Thanks for the ride in your Z!! Sorry the weather was so rainy, but I guess that's what happens when you go driving around in a tropical storm.

ive been having more fun in Orlando since I was at your place. My internet stuff is limited, but I'll try to update my Orlando thread.

[grannyknot]

4 hours ago, siteunseen said:

I've done two rear windows using that trick. It works great. I did my little pickup by myself but had to get someone to help on a bigger car window. I mowed yards for a few years and busted quite a few with my weedeater slinging rocks against glass on a hot interior car. 

white nylon rope worked best for me, 1/4 or 3/8". I can't remember which now.

Site, funny you should mention a weedeater, I use weedeater nylon line instead of rope to do windows, it has a small diameter and smooth so it slides past the rubber very well.