1955 split screen, windscreen fit problems

[JulianW]

My son and I spent most of the weekend trying to fit the screen(s) back, but couldn't do it. We just can't get the new seal to fit round the metal lip of the aperture with the sheets of glass in position. Tried strings, parcel tape, boiling water, spacers, fairy liquid etc but just seems an impossible task.

We are in Horsham, Sussex. Any kind members willing to give a hand? Will pay travelling expenses etc plus a slap up meal. We need the help of someone that has done this before.

Thanks,
Julian and Sam Worskett

(I've removed personal details such as your full address details for security reasons. Best to provide these via a personal message rather than on the open forum - LouiseM)

[SUE482]

Hello J & S,
It is without doubt a most difficult job, there are posts on here which will assist you if you do a search. I needed two in the car pushing the windscreens out while I pulled the string on the rubber on the outside. Have you made a dummy center pillar to hold the 2 pieces together? I used an old one cut down to size. See the workshop manual for details.
See my effort here http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f= ... 8&start=15
You will need plenty of sealant as the modern rubbers don't give a very good fit, sealant inside the rubber before you put the glass in prior to fitting to the car is essential.
Let us know how you get on.
Regards, Ian

[taupe]

Please dont ever use washing up liquid on cars ..... it has lots of salt in it !!!!

Use waxoyle or similar as a lubricant.

Taupe

[plastic_orange]

There are plenty previous posts on this matter. It's not an easy task due to the poor quality modern replacement parts. A professional fitter may be able to assist.

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=47983

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=49380


Pete

[foofoournan]

I'm not going to lie I payed a Morris minor center to do it!

[JulianW]

Well i am sorry to say I have paid someone to do it. I've not seen the job yet, but they think that the chrome outer trim is essential to expand the seal to make a tight fit. What does anyone think and is it possible to get one?

I know they are rare, but a passer by said you could buy it on a roll but I think he is wrong, how would it go round the corners of the screen?

[SUE482]

Well I must say mine was water tight without it, as long as they have used sealant as suggested then yours should also be water tight. I don't believe that the trim has anything to do with the fit mine didn't, and they are very very difficult to get hold of and the clips.
Send a note to Bryan Gosling at club spares, that's where I got mine from, but bear in mine you will probably need to have them re-chromed if you find some.

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

As above the trim is only that, a trim it doesnt help to hold it in place at all. I sealed mine between glass and rubber and rubber to body and its reasonably good but in driving rain it will still come in a little around the centre pillar. I used 3M windscreen sealant thats the non setting variety, its a messy job putting it in but well worth doing.

[JulianW]

Thanks all. The garage have put the seal in backwards, otherwise they say the screens will just fall out. So now I am at a loss what to do. They said they spent 3 hours on the job at £60ph, but he will only charge me £60.

I guess I will have to try again myself.

What I don't understand is that the car was ok for years without this trim, had a couple of leaks near the glove boxes which I hoped to fix and now it's even worse. Should have left it alone.

Thanks for the info on 3M windscreen seal, I will see if I can get some on the internet. Also will try the club spares for the trim and clips.

[ASL642]

On the splitscreen the screen is fitted from the inside out whereas the later one piece goes in from outside inwards.

Cut off the "point" of the old outer chrome section and using this to marry to 2 pieces of glass together. Gaffa tape glass to chrome to hole it in place (- it helps as the 2 screens are angled not flat) Surround complete windscreen with rubber seal and then use plastic coated washing line - 2 ends ending centre top. It usually take 3/4 people to do this. Windscreen inside car supported by 2 who have to push v. hard, and 2 outside, one supporting and one working the line gently around. It's not a quick job so take your time.

When you've recovered the chrome insert is fitted into the gap, with the centre joiners on top.

[JulianW]

Thanks Lou. I will gather together some helpers at the weekend.

Also, I will take a load of pictures as we do it, including line placement and put them up here so that other people can see, if it was successful of course.

Julian.

[ASL642]

Sorry forgot to add that of course when the glass is in position you can replace the chrome strip with the new perfect one, and then fit the joining strip inside.

[JulianW]

Well it's done, 4 people and 3 hours later.

Ended up with four feet pushing on the inside of the screen, while on the outside two people prizing the seal round the glass and onto the aperture edge. Made some tools out of bits of perspex, tough enough to work but didn't chip the glass or damage the paintwork. A bit of soap in a saucepan of water kept handy.

The gap between the panels is a bit narrow, but prizing apart gently overnight with some rawplugs with screws gently tightened into them. Hope the sealant doesn't go off too hard before they move.

Thanks all for advice, much appreciated.
Julian.

[kennatt]

many ways of doing this do a search. The best thing I ever did(And had mine out a few times) was to insert sealant under the INNER lip to inner frame. Just lift a corner insert the tip of the applicator and go all the way round,as the rubber returns to the frame a bead of sealant is pushed out(Cut it off when cured)Did mine about 10 years ago never had a leak since.