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Thread: windshield replacement

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Highland, Ca.
    Posts
    221
    My Cars
    1986 BMW 325e Auto

    Angry windshield replacement

    I hired safelite to do a windshield on my 86 325e so far they have ordered an m3 windshield and claimed that i modified my car, dropped the OEM replacement and now showed up with an aftermarket window with no gasket or lockstrip.

    The question is will an aftermarket window seal up properly?

    Do they need to replace the seal? according to them they "never" need to.

    What is the chance of them damaging the new lockstrip while installing it?

    Can I replace the lockstrip on the rear myself ? or should I have safelite do it for 100 labor. and i provide it.

    Thank You
    Last edited by skunkworks; 09-04-2012 at 10:04 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Salt Lake City, Utah
    Posts
    1,174
    My Cars
    87 Cabrio
    Use the SEARCH feature! Pinkerton or something to that effect, is one of the OEM windshields. I recently paid $165 including tax to have one installed. I have a cabrio with the "rusted" chrome lockstripping, so I pulled the black lockstripping at the pick n pull first (no intention of replacing my windshield at the time). The steel lock at the bottom can be reused, but new is better in case they bugger it up!
    Last edited by 87Cabrio89is; 09-04-2012 at 10:58 PM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
    Posts
    1,122
    My Cars
    One too many....
    The seal can be re-used if it's not torn. It probably needs to be cleaned up because of the old sealant stuck to it. Most shops couldn't be bothered to clean up an old seal properly to re-use so that's what they want to work with a new seal only.
    Lock strip can be re-used as long as it isn't dry and brittle. 20+ years old will make hard and easy to break. If your lockstrip gets damaged, you could always pull another from a wreckers to install. Or go all out and buy new.
    This can be done DIY. I pulled a good windshield at a wreckers and installed it on the car in my driveway. I was happy with both the price and workmanship (no leaks). If I can do it, anybody could do it. And I've done this on other BMWs besides the E30. Just takes time and patience.
    Mine: 1988 635CSi Euro in Diamantschwarz Metallic, 1989 ALPINA B10 3.5 in Alpineweiss II, 1981 528i in Kastanienrot-Metallic, 1958 Isetta 300 currently in rust repair
    In the family: 1958 Isetta 300 in Federweiss/Pastellblau, 1987 635CSi, 2000 M5
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  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Woodfin, NC
    Posts
    1,536
    My Cars
    (2) '83 320iS, '97 528i
    Post #8. http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ght=windshield
    Everything you need to know about installing a windshield. Same applies to backglass. There's a special tool that makes installing the lockstrip a lot easier. If your flaps doesn't have it a good auto body supply shop will.
    Last edited by e21Terry; 09-04-2012 at 11:15 PM.
    "The water was not fit to drink. To make it palatable, we had to add whisky. By dilligent effort, I learnt to like it." Sir Winston Churchill

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Santa Clarita, CA
    Posts
    10,161
    My Cars
    E30 Turbo
    Well, the M3 windshield is different but it will interchange.

    As far as an aftermarket standard E30 windshield, I see no problem with it. There's a place local to me that does them for $120 installed (brand new glass) and they will re-use the seal and lock strip.
    BimmerHeads
    Classic BMW Specialists
    Santa Clarita, CA

    www.BimmerHeads.com


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    CALIFORNIA
    Posts
    787
    My Cars
    1986 325ES STICK
    I had Safelite do mine in my driveway while I had a beer. I had purchased a new black lock strip on E Bay the week before. Took about an hour and yes, he used a special tool to slip it in. I would never expect an original lock ring to be reused simply because of its age.
    It sounds like English, but I cannot understand a damn word you're saying!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Lancaster, CA
    Posts
    25
    My Cars
    1985 E30; 1992 E36 325is
    OK. SO my 90 325is just got painted. I figured that the shop didnt need to be too careful with the old rubber when taking out the front & back windows since I was going to replace them anyway.
    Ordered new from PelicanParts. Bought the slightly more expensive BMW version hoping to save some pain. Took them to the shop when they came in and TOO BIG. Searched the part numbers and yes, I did order the correct parts. Got an RMA, and PP wasn't particularly helpful with trying to figure out what was going on. I went up to BMW of S.Atlanta's site. Entered the VIN for the car. Ordered new gaskets. WHen they came in too them over to the shop. TOO BIG.
    So now I'm not quite sure what to do. Maybe both me and the shop are idiots. I looked at the install link above too. I'm going to try to post pictures. Hopefully someone here can drop a clue as to what might be going on.
    TIA,
    Chuck
    20190208_143728.jpg20190208_143739.jpg
    Here's the old front gasket that pretty much fits inside the new one.20190208_150620.jpg

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Joliet,IL
    Posts
    1,121
    My Cars
    87 325is 96 GMC Suburban
    Did you lay it over the front to see if it is in fact the front gasket?

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    13,674
    My Cars
    2005 325Xi
    Quote Originally Posted by digital1 View Post
    OK. SO my 90 325is just got painted. I figured that the shop didnt need to be too careful with the old rubber when taking out the front & back windows since I was going to replace them anyway.
    Ordered new from PelicanParts. Bought the slightly more expensive BMW version hoping to save some pain. Took them to the shop when they came in and TOO BIG. Searched the part numbers and yes, I did order the correct parts. Got an RMA, and PP wasn't particularly helpful with trying to figure out what was going on. I went up to BMW of S.Atlanta's site. Entered the VIN for the car. Ordered new gaskets. WHen they came in too them over to the shop. TOO BIG.
    So now I'm not quite sure what to do. Maybe both me and the shop are idiots. I looked at the install link above too. I'm going to try to post pictures. Hopefully someone here can drop a clue as to what might be going on.
    TIA,
    Chuck
    20190208_143728.jpg20190208_143739.jpg
    Here's the old front gasket that pretty much fits inside the new one.20190208_150620.jpg
    It looks like you're pulling them too tight when installing them. If you start with the lower right corner, you should be pushing the seal down onto the body and toward that lower left corner as you install it. It may seem like you're causing it to "bunch up" as you're putting it in, but it will shrink over time (years), so excess is better.
    Last edited by Critter7r; 02-09-2019 at 01:33 PM.
    Quote Originally Posted by B4SH View Post
    If anyone knows, it's this guy who knows literally nothing about everything.
    Quote Originally Posted by fcvapor05 View Post
    Do you even OT? The mean 401k around here is probably about $6, what with all the shiny cars and $1,000 watches and donations to get other members' Volvos running.


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Wake Forest
    Posts
    353
    My Cars
    2004 525i, 1985 325E
    I agree with pulling them to tight. It will test your patience, particularly trying to get the corners right and center the seam. I installed the gasket and had a local shop come out and install the windshield and seal. Glad I did, was worth paying someone who had the right tool and knew how to use it.
    2004 525i Sport, Manual - 1985 325E Coupe Manual

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    13,674
    My Cars
    2005 325Xi
    Quote Originally Posted by tomstin View Post
    I agree with pulling them to tight. It will test your patience, particularly trying to get the corners right and center the seam. I installed the gasket and had a local shop come out and install the windshield and seal. Glad I did, was worth paying someone who had the right tool and knew how to use it.
    That's what.

    -She


    +1 on starting with the placement of the center seam. I forgot about that part.
    Quote Originally Posted by B4SH View Post
    If anyone knows, it's this guy who knows literally nothing about everything.
    Quote Originally Posted by fcvapor05 View Post
    Do you even OT? The mean 401k around here is probably about $6, what with all the shiny cars and $1,000 watches and donations to get other members' Volvos running.


  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Lancaster, CA
    Posts
    25
    My Cars
    1985 E30; 1992 E36 325is
    The rear gasket has very defined right angle bends at the lower corners.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Lancaster, CA
    Posts
    25
    My Cars
    1985 E30; 1992 E36 325is
    Just an update on this. BMW of South Atlanta, once informed (same pic as posted here) sent another set of gaskets and informed/asked BMW about this.
    I also talked to RhineWest in San Antonio. They said that this is one of those things. Some fit better than others and keep trying until you get a set that fits better.
    With that in mind I went looking for new, old stock. 4 new gaskets showed up today, so game on.
    I'll keep you all posted.

    History on this car. It was up on Car Domain; originally a TX car with all receipts, but we got it from a guy in PA. My nephew, who owns a shop up in PA was going to do an M30 swap. That was over 2 years ago.
    I finally had it and went and got the car, now just a shell and parts. Dwight at Zionsville saw it and wanted to know what he could trade to get it. The body shop, once they had it sanded said it was a very good car.
    SO... Rod's Custom is going to do the upholstery next. I picked up some electric Vader seats. We bought an aluminum block S52 that Metric Mechanic is turning into a 3.0L for us. Suspension starts with Ground control coil overs for the 5-lug. The rest are a mix of Ireland Engineering, Garagistic, TMS, et al.
    I have pic, but this probably isn't the right thread to post.

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