Splitscreen window rubber replacement!?

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damian1978
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Splitscreen window rubber replacement!?

Post by damian1978 »

Hello everyone. As part of my improvement plan for my SII, I need to replace the front and rear screen rubbers as I think mine are the originals and are very tired to say the least.

I've bought the replacement rubbers from bull motif but I've been putting off the job for ages as it appears to be a bit of a pig.

Is it really something I should tackle myself on a splitscreen, or would I be better entusting it to my local friendly garage (who seem to love the car actually!)??

Thanks!
ASL642
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Post by ASL642 »

The rear is manageable with a bit of help, but having done a SII front windscreen once I'd ask the garage. It took 4 people and was a pig to do :x

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mike.perry
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Post by mike.perry »

What could be easier, just fit the rubber around the opening and slide in two bits of glass. DON'T DO IT. It is a 100% pig of a job. I had a very enthusiastic windscreen fitter do mine. He spent all morning around my house and still wasn't satisfied so he had the car in his workshop for most of the following day and fitted it to his satisfaction.
The pattern windscreen rubbers are also a lousy fit, mine is all out of shape in the bottom r/h corner and still drips despite lashings of sealant.
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callyspoy
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Post by callyspoy »

agreed, i have done it twice as i tore the first one too many times and it just didn't seal. so did it again...and only tore it a couple of times! but ridiculously hard. managed to get a knack on the one piece screen when doing dads minor, that was relatively painless.
so yes, get someone else to do it. the rubbers aren't cheap so if you do tear it beyond repair it's a bit of a pain!
DAVIDMCCULLOUGH
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Post by DAVIDMCCULLOUGH »

I agree, an awkard job. I cut about 1 1/2" off each end of an old scrap pillar and the inside strip. I then fitted the two halves of screen together and tightened up the pillar. Then fit the rubber to this and put the sting in place, dont forget to put thin string in the chrome slot at this point. This makes it possible to fit the screen in one peice similar to the 1000 screen, though obviously from the inside. Once in place the cut down pillar can be removed and the gap should be correct for refitting the proper one. I had 2 goes at this before I was happy and then sealed the edges all up with 3m sealer. Messy stuff!

Mine is also a poor fit inside but looks fine outside. I was told by one trader to glue the edges down inside....


Too many Minors so little time.....
damian1978
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Post by damian1978 »

Thanks for all the advice guys.......

I have a replacement front rubber that I got from Bull Motifa couple of years ago - does anyone know what these are like? Or is there a supplier which offers a better quality product?

I know there's a Minor specialist not far from me who's been recommended by my local garage, so I reckon I might get it done there.

Cheers!
kennatt
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Post by kennatt »

I'll tell you now(Having been there three times) the replacement rubbers are more than useless,they do not fit,the slots are too tight and they don't close up onto the car frame at the corners,and therfore don't seal properly ,its time the suppliers did something about getting a better pat
ern.Theres been several discussions(Do a search) regarding the best method. The last time I did mine I put the glasses into the rubber,fitted it to the frame from the inside without the central filler(the glasses touch so be carefull) then fitted four straps ,two on each glass through the gap at the centre and round the side frame and over a period of a week gradually tighted the straps and progressively pulled the glasses apart,untill I could fit the inner strip,then the outer.then using the stuff they use to fit bonded screens to modern car stuck the corners bottom and top of the rubber to the car,lengths of timber pushed onto the rubber and onto the garage walls works to hold it down :o still drips slightly in heavey downpours on the move,fortunately not when just standing.Once you have done this then you can fit the chrome strip.Another story and another easy :evil: :evil: :evil: job .The last time, I spoke to chris at tom roys about fitting and he said he would never do another one himself Good luck with it I think along with fitting headliners and master cylinders it list as one of the worst jobs on a splitty
mike.perry
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Post by mike.perry »

If you have the screens out try fitting the new rubber to check the shape
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IaininTenbury
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Post by IaininTenbury »

DAVIDMCCULLOUGH wrote:I agree, an awkard job. I cut about 1 1/2" off each end of an old scrap pillar and the inside strip. I then fitted the two halves of screen together and tightened up the pillar. Then fit the rubber to this and put the sting in place, dont forget to put thin string in the chrome slot at this point. This makes it possible to fit the screen in one peice similar to the 1000 screen, though obviously from the inside. Once in place the cut down pillar can be removed and the gap should be correct for refitting the proper one. I had 2 goes at this before I was happy and then sealed the edges all up with 3m sealer. Messy stuff!

Mine is also a poor fit inside but looks fine outside. I was told by one trader to glue the edges down inside....
Thats basically the technique that works for me! As described in the workshop manual, build it all up in the rubber on the bench, with a dummy centre pillar (an old one cut down is easy) so it will pass through the aperture, and then offer it up to the car from the inside witht he string in place. Locate the bottom lip on the body and go from there. Yuo will need to push very hard from inside whilst the person outside pulling the string also needs to pull hard, whilst being careful not to tear the rubber (lots of lubricant needed). I tend to have a spare rubber in hand just in case, but the last one I did we had the optimum number of folk, two on the inside (one for each glass) pushing like mad and me on the outside and it went straight in, no bother...

Had windscreen fitters do it in the past and struggle and take ages :-?
Anyone seen the clip on youtube of the dutch factory building up the CKD kits? Fitting the screens seems to involve large rubber mallets and hitting the glass vigorously to seat it in the body. Not quite plucked up courage to try that yet :o
cheers
Iain
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'49 MM, '53 convertible, '55 van, and a '64 van.

Marina p.u., '56 Morris Isis Traveller, a '59 Morris JB van, a'66 J4 van, a '54 Land Rover, Land Rover 130, Renault 5, '36Railton, '35 Hudson, a Mk1 Transit and a Sherpa Camper...

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damian1978
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Post by damian1978 »

Wow, it sounds like a right pig of a job. Still, the existing one that's on the car is in bits and leaks like a sponge so I'm going to have to bite the bullit and have a go.

It's disappointing that the suppliers can't supply decent rubbers that actually fit properly. If it happened with Ford Mondeo screen rubbers, people just wouldn't stand for it. I suppose they have us splitty owners over a barrel though with the age of the car and lack of suppliers.

Cheers everyone!
mike.perry
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Post by mike.perry »

Its a common problem with pattern spares, particularly body panels. The original patterns get worn out or destroyed and the repro ones are often poor quality. Nobody bothers to return the parts or complain because that is all that is available so they just make do and moan.
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