Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi Folks.

I'm changing the rubber (front and back) windscreens on my 1955 split screen (Auld Mick). I'm wondering if anyone has any advice or tips on how to do this (other than don't start!!!). The original rubber has majorly perished and leaks like a seive.

Namely, what's the best practice for doing the front. I'm a bit apprehensive of the front what with it being two screens to hold in.
Also, do I need sealant and how and when do I apply it. Do I fit everything and then seal it or put the sealant into the rubber and then fit the windscreen. Do I put sealant between the rubber and the glass and between the bodywork and the rubber.

Can't someone else do it ??

Any advice appreciated cheers.
Paul. (and Auld Mick)

There is no better advice than don't start, certainly by yourself. The rear screen is a 2 man job,requiring a suction cup and for the front screens read the previous posts. If someone claims to be able to do the job then offer him a suitable financial reward on successful completion

Oh my. What a horrible job that is. I've torn 2 back rubbers and ready to set a match to the car. I'm completely stuck as I need to replace it. Not even started the front yet (and will not now).

Is there anyone out there willing and able to come over and do it for me or show me how. I'm at my wits end with the bloody thing.

Would pay any expenses and whatever fee for the work. Can't even drive it now as the MOT expired. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr

Some swearing now follows F**£ C%%^ B&&&CKS %%$%$^&^*^*&&%$^&$

I told you so!!!!!!!!!!!
MOT first then cosmetic jobs

Easy boy!!!

The back screen should be easier than the front. Ive also ripped a back screen fitting it, just near the end when you think its nearly in is when its at its tightest point and will rip. Did you use some washing up liquid or something to help it slide in? Its a 2 person job, one pulling the cord and assisting with a screw driver and another inside pushing the screen into place.

Are you a member of a local branch? Theres bound to be someone there who could give you a hand.

Hi David,

Yes, I saturated the thing in liquid hand soap. There were 2 of us at it. The first time that I ripped the rubber, it was quite bad and in 2 different places. I decided to use that damaged rubber as a practice bit and then buy a new one once I was comfortable with doing it with the practice bit.

My friend and I tried it again and again with the practice bit and eventually got it in place but (due to the rips) it leaked as badly as the old rubber that I was replacing. I ordered a new one and did exactly the same again with it. Loads and loads of soap. Washing line inside the ridge to pull it through. Softly softly approach. Mate inside the car pushing out. Line wrapped round a screwdriver to aid pulling,,, and the bugger tore again at one of the corners!!! I stopped working on it instantly this time so I'm hoping that (with one small tear) that this rubber may still be salvagable. Even before it tore, as it snagged, I was pouring more liquid soap into it.

I'm glad to say that I've calmed down a bit from my rant last night but Jeez what a horrible job that is. It's very frustrating. Wettest summer on record and car leaking like a seive from both ends. Until I bought a car cover I had to leave buckets inside the car to collect the water (and I was emptying them every day). I can't keep anything in the car and had a number of things I wanted to change to the interior of the car since I bought it but have been unable to as it would just get water damaged.

and, as for the suggestion that this is a cosmetic job and not required, I BEG TO DIFFER !!!

In the good old days of real men windscreen fitters, you had to pull parallel to the glass and move the string in a circular motion at right angles to the direction of pul,l easing the rubber out over the lip.
Does that sound as complicated as i think it does.
Try and leave the last bit to do at the top or bottom and dont push too hard from inside

If you can find the video of CKD Minors being assembled you'll be amazed at how easily the screens are fitted, a bloke just beats it in with a rubber mallet!
They did have the benefit of genuine parts, plenty of experience and a ready supply of spares though

What I meant was that it was cosmetic in that it was not required for the MOT. You should have done what was necessary to pass and then tackled the screens without the time constraint.
My front screen leaks like a sieve and there is a queue building up at a company near Chertsey who are highly recommended

I fitted my 803 rear screen myself with my wife's assistance and found it quite easy. The front screen however was something else. I ended up handing the job over to a windscreen company (who specialized in older vehicles) and it took the two of them three hours of swearing and grunting, and even then they had to come back and fit the chrome trim later as they had had quite enough for one day.

I decided not to bother attempting the front screen. Well at least for the moment anyway. I envision an angry Paul standing over a torn rubber seal and smashed windscreen. The priority was the rear because I'd already removed it.

Anyway, I'm very pleased to say that thanks to the generosity of one of the kind souls from here (you know who you are), I now have the rear installed and leak free and the front sealed.

A big thanks again to the very generous person that helped me with this and saved me from going crazy with it. Name omitted to save him from being inundated with requests for this .

Thanks to everyone for the advice on this. Hopefully something that I won't have to do again for a long time.

Cheers
Paul.