Definitive Splitscreen fitting guide

[heathy12]

Having read so much about how hard it is to fit a splitty windscreen (I thought it would be so easy being in two pieces!)

Has anyone found or put a guide together to cover fitting??

Failed to fit my single piece windscreen on my '57 - have a '56 screen to fit now.

[mike.perry]

The problem with fitting split screens seems to be the repro rubber which does not fit properly, curling up on the corners and leaking. The centre pillar can also leak if not fitted properly and also laminated glass is thicker than toughened and will not fit without a lot of grief. On the other hand there are a few people who can fit a screen properly but beware of the "I can do it" botchers who resort to practices such as filling the centre gap with mastic because they can't get the rubber strip to fit or cutting the ends of the centre pillar to make it fit

[kennatt]

been discussed and explained at length do a search,many different ways but(Having done mine three times,don't Ask),the best D I Y way is tofit the rubber to the frame then put both glasses into the rubber and then with straps through the centre and round the side pillars progressively pull the glasses apart(Do a bit at a time over a couple of days,use a hair dryer to warm the rubber) the glasses will separate and you can then fit the inner central rubber,remove the straps,just cut them,and then the outer strip.But be warned the new rubbers are rubish,I tried two, neither fitted,the corners just don't fit into the frame and you need to stick them in with sealant.The proper way is to put everything together and using a dummy outer stip(The proper one will not pass through the frame)insert onto the frame from the inside don't even go there unless you have three or four helpers.The really best way is to persuade a screen fitting service to do it for you if you can find one,non round my way would even look at it.Good luck

[IaininTenbury]

I've found the 'proper' way, as described in the workshop manual works quite well. Did two in one day with one helper, and only ruined one screen rubber. (It split on the corner when trying to pull the cord through). The helper has to push Very very hard from the inside but it seemed to work ok. Did another about 18months later with two different helpers ont he inside pushing one pane of glass each which seemed easy. Its probably one of those jobs which gets easier with practice, but no one gets the chance to be well practiced these days.

Somewhere on here theres the link to the film of Morris Minor assembly at the dutch factory (I think) which shows windscreens being fitted with the aid of large rubber mallets and vigorous bashing from the inside to get them to seat properly! Never been that daring myself, but hard thumping with the palm of a hand (till it hurts) works well!