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Thread: DIY: Replacing the windshield cowl

  1. #51
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Dayton, OH
    Posts
    3
    My Cars
    08 titanium 335i

    thanks!

    did this on my '02 M3 today. the only part that wasn't straightforward was pulling the wiring harness housing off, but i think i over did it (took the whole housing off rather than just the cover)... oops... i'm not great at following directions sometimes but it still was a quick install. car looks brand new!


    great writeup, made it breeze!

    matt

  2. #52
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Barksdale, AFB
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    2004 BMW 325xi
    Awesome post dude.. Thank you! I didn't know it was named a Cowl. I'm going to replace mine this week.

  3. #53
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Norman, Ok
    Posts
    20
    My Cars
    2000 323i
    Very informative and thorough. Great write up for me because this will need to be done on mine shortly.

  4. #54
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Antioch, CA
    Posts
    3
    My Cars
    2001 330i Sedan
    Just did this, here's a tip for getting the wiper arms off:

    If they don't come right off, and you're having no luck with the "just wiggle them" technique, press DOWN repeatedly on the wiper arm hinge, right where it hinges. The problem is that with it applying upward pressure, it's holding fast... by pressing DOWN on the hinging section (that part you can "fold upward" when cleaning the windshield), it releases that tension. By pressing down 5 or 6 times, it should allow the pressure nut thing to come loose (that's what she said).

    GL, mine looks amazing again, it was a crumbling mess before today.

    <3

  5. #55
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    NWA
    Posts
    5,802
    My Cars
    2006 330i
    Quote Originally Posted by ixobelle View Post
    Just did this, here's a tip for getting the wiper arms off:

    If they don't come right off, and you're having no luck with the "just wiggle them" technique, press DOWN repeatedly on the wiper arm hinge, right where it hinges. The problem is that with it applying upward pressure, it's holding fast... by pressing DOWN on the hinging section (that part you can "fold upward" when cleaning the windshield), it releases that tension. By pressing down 5 or 6 times, it should allow the pressure nut thing to come loose (that's what she said).
    Excellent followup. I've done the windshield cowl on several E46's and pushing down always gets that pressure nut to release the tension!

  6. #56
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    8
    My Cars
    2003 E46 M3 Convertible
    no one mentioned cleaning off the windshield or using any spray or mild adhesive on the windshield. Is this necessary ??

  7. #57
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    San Francisco
    Posts
    4
    My Cars
    '01 325it Manual
    Thanks guys just got my manual '01 325it and mine is in dire need of this, definitely will come in handy

  8. #58
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Southlake, TX
    Posts
    108
    My Cars
    330Ci
    Great directions! Piece of cake! Took me 30 minutes.

  9. #59
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    CA, USA
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    2003 330i
    The original post is excellent and still relevant. I changed the windshield cover on my
    2003 330i today and would like to pass on a few tips.

    * Taking out the wiper arms could be tricky. I sprayed a little bit of wd-40 and tried
    to wiggle them out, but that did not work. So I got a cheap battery terminal remover
    tool from the neighborhood O'Reilly and that made things much easier.

    * While you are changing the windshield cover you should consider changing a few other
    plastic parts in the same area. The part numbers are:


    Windshield Cover - 51718208483
    Covering Left - 51718208479
    Covering Right - 51718208480
    Apron Cover Left - 51718232633
    Apron Cover Right - 51718232633


    * Also, some people suggest that removing the micro-filter and housing is not needed. It is true, but
    removing them makes it easier. Also, it would give you a chance to vacuum that area really well
    and clean up the accumulated dirt and grime.

    * Be careful to position the wipers correctly when you are putting them back. Use the wiper
    switch to bring the wiper bolt to resting position. Then insert the wipers and position them
    in rest position, push the locking nut, and tighten the hex nut.

    Happy DIY.


  10. #60
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Portugal
    Posts
    12
    My Cars
    e46
    hey guys, just replaced my E46 cowl this weekend so i thought i'd record the process and post it on the interWebz!

    15 minute job, easiest DIY to date

    [youtube]q6JLerw719Y[/youtube]

    - - - Updated - - -

    hey guys, just replaced my E46 cowl this weekend so i thought i'd record the process and post it on the interWebz!

    15 minute job, easiest DIY to date


  11. #61
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Wake Forest, NC
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    2002 330i, 1988 MR2 s/c
    My only deference to this DIY is the suggestion of using ArmorAll. Some years ago, at a shop, someone ran a test on it. We sprayed half a tire and left it outside in the sun. Six months later, the armorall side of the tire was all cracked and dry rotted. They may have improved their product since then. (YMMV), but I rely on Formula 303, which is used in the boating industry.

  12. #62
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    3
    My Cars
    2001 BMW 325ci
    My wiper arms would not come off by shaking the arm nor by tapping with a screw driver and mallet as recommended in the videos. Had to delay the job until I got a decent wiper arm puller. By the time you need to replace the cowl, you can be sure the wipers are on tight by minor chemical reaction between the metals and the wiper puller is needed. These are not expensive and hassle free and it worked great and a lot cheaper than having the job done at a garage. When reinstalling the wipers, I found on line that the wiper position is 24 mm from the tip to the cowl seal for the right (passenger side) wiper and 44 mm for the left (drivers side) wiper. Cleaning out the dirt that had had collected under the old cowl was the biggest part of the job. While at cleaning, you may as well remove the flexible shields just below the ends of the windshield and get the dirt out from under there as well. I used the OEM cowl from BMW. Amazingly, it had only been manufactured 5 months before according to a sticker I found on it. Looks great.

  13. #63
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    3
    My Cars
    2001 BMW 325ci

    Wiper cowl replacement on 2001 325ci

    My wiper arms would not come off by shaking the arm nor by tapping with a screw driver and mallet as recommended in the videos. Had to delay the job until I got a decent wiper arm puller. By the time you need to replace the cowl, you can be sure the wipers are on tight by minor chemical reaction between the metals and the wiper puller is needed. These are not expensive, hassle free, parts don't go flying and it worked great and a lot cheaper than having the job done at a garage. When reinstalling the wipers, I found on line that the wiper position is 24 mm from the tip to the cowl seal for the right (passenger side) wiper and 44 mm for the left (drivers side) wiper. Cleaning out the dirt that had had collected under the old cowl was the biggest part of the job. While at cleaning, you may as well remove the flexible shields just below the ends of the windshield and get the dirt out from under there as well. I used the OEM cowl from BMW. Everything is on the cowl, no need to buy clips, washers or grommets. Amazingly, it had only been manufactured 5 months before according to a sticker I found on it. Looks great.

    20210929_091723c.jpg20210929_091420.jpg20210929_091446.jpg20210929_091513.jpg20210929_091806.jpg



  14. #64
    Join Date
    Nov 2021
    Location
    Deltaville, va. usa
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    2000 323i
    Great info. I retired recently and semi retired my 2000 323i, with 320,000 miles. She is mechanically sound and well maintained. Now, what to do with her?
    The cowl needs to be replaced as well as the rubber seal around the windshield. And a headliner and paint job.
    Maybe someone can advise: Does the windshield need to be removed to replace the rubber seal? Where to order the light tan headliner material?
    Thanks.

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