Windscreen rubber

Post by **plastic_orange** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 9:41 pm

I tried sealing all window rubbers on my latest Minor (Bessie) due to it leaking like a sieve. This resulted in the expected little success due to little elasticity left in the rubbers. The problem is partly due to it being kept indoors for years, and now living outside (age obviously has nothing to do with it

), plus the typical British weather.
My question is - the car is a 1957 model with the original chrome winscreen insert, and popular opinion says that replacing this is problematic. I have the newer style rubber and trim to hand, so what should I do - the easy job, or the hard.
Incidentally I couldn't get the old style rubber years ago, so just fitted what was available, and it worked fine, but nowadays both are available - dilemma.

Pete.

Post by **minor_hickup** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 12:01 am

Well if you have a decent metal trim surely just go for that with the correct early 1000 rubber. You can always e-bay or return the new rubber and trim.

Post by **polo2k** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 12:23 am

this is a job im doing soon, whats involved in the fitting, last time I used string but got cuts in the rubbers. what am I doing wrong?

Post by **Peetee** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:59 am

It's a devil of a job to be sure. Bog-standard string isn't strong enough. I used braided nylon rope about 4mm in dia and lubed it with candlewax. I opted for the rubber that takes the chrome-plastic insert and fitted this with the help of a nylon bicycle tyre lever.

Post by **Onne** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:38 am

Another good tip, have a bucket of hot water so the rubber is nice and flexible

Post by **aupickup** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:49 am

even better get someone else to do it

Post by **plastic_orange** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 11:07 am

aupickup wrote:even better get someone else to do it

I'll be getting assistance to do it - same guy as gave me a hand 25 years ago. Window fitting really needs 2 to get it right. I think I'll just go with the window rubbers I have.

Pete

Post by **MGFmad** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:00 pm

polo2k wrote:this is a job im doing soon, whats involved in the fitting, last time I used string but got cuts in the rubbers. what am I doing wrong?

I fitted a new screen rubber to my traveller a couple of weeks ago, I used the plastic chrome insert.

I fitted the rubber using strong string with help on the outside to push the screen into the aperture, it was surprisingly easy to do.

I was able to borrow the proper insert fitting tool so this helped alot. I was told to put fairy liquid into the groove before fitting the insert, this makes it much easier to insert but its a bit messy.

Post by **Peetee** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:44 pm

I'll be getting assistance to do it - same guy as gave me a hand 25 years ago

You might have to start by putting him in a bucket of warm water too.

Post by **jonali** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:18 pm

Always found a length of thin electric cable ideal instead of string. There is a tool for insert. It looks a bit like an oversized sail needle the insert slides thru the eye.

J

Post by **plastic_orange** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 3:49 pm

I've no problem fitting the newer style seal - just wanted opinions on the older front screen rubber with metal inserts.

Pete

Post by **DAVIDMCCULLOUGH** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 3:57 pm

The older one is definately more awkard to fit, I ended up giving up and buying the new type with the plastic insert and had it fitted in about 30mins!

Post by **plastic_orange** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 4:07 pm

Cheers - that's what I thought, hence my question.

Pete