Windshield Problem...
 

It happens in Carwash drive inn...:stickpoke

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/7957/img0016yhu.jpg

Has anyone did DYI changing the top rubber on x5 windshield.

What part number is that?;)

appreciate guys....

you need part # 51317182004. it's a common problem. bmw will tell you to replace the whole windshield in order to replace that rubber moulding. I replaced the moulding myself last year.

I uploaded some pictures showing following stages - original condition, removal in progress, post removal, and all cleaned and ready for install.

what type of adhesive did you use on the new piece? I'm glad I read this. I was ready to take it to the dealer for an estimate..

If the windshield is OEM and has never been changed, it is decently easy to replace the seal, and no sealant is needed as it has a small strip of adhesive built into it. The only time I had trouble changing one is when the windshield had already been replaced and the seal was held by the urethane.

Fantastic! Thanks for the info. I will order one tomorrow. OEM 51317182004 is that right?

Would this be why my windshield rattles in it's mount and water leaks into my cabin? I may have to give this a shot.

FLM you shouldn't have to worry much about fixing things, you are in engineer central over there in OP. :D

No no no... the windshield should be solid mounted with a continuous bead of urethane which dries to be as solid as a motor mount or bushing, and it should be completely 100% sealed. If you had the windshield replaced recently you need to bring it back and have it re-done And if the carpets got wet you need to have that taken care of by the dealer and bring the windshield place a bill.

In that case, is this rubber seal mostly for cosmetic reason only? I just noticed some tears in mine while washing it yesterday (see attached picture).
It appears to be a 2-piece construction: One small piece folded over and a 2nd larger flat piece. I'm not so worried about the larger cracked flat piece as much as the smaller folder over piece that appears to have chunks missing.

Is this a common thing on BMWs?

It's a common thing on any car that uses rubber gaskets on the windshield edges. I've had good luck replacing that gasket on most BMW models including the X5 with the windshield intact and installed. But that should only be done by experienced windshield guys as you could easily break the windshield and/or mess up the new gasket.

Thanks for the input. There's currently no leaks, so I might hold off in having it replaced (I might just buy the gasket and have a windshield shop install it).

It's weird that I've never had this issue in all of my previous cars and some of those cars were street parked 24/7. This is the first that I've seen on the X and it's been garage kept all of its life.

I agree, with the replaced (sealant) WS, you are more likely to crack the glass.

I watched it happen twice.

Help please...
 

Sorry to revive this old thread but if anyone can chime in on the procedures to this DIY I would greatly appreciate it. Safelite wanted to charge me for an entire new windshield and I told them to go f*ck a goat. I have purchased the molding, now I just need a bit more info on how to remove old one and install new one. Any insight is greatly appreciated.

I have the same issue on my 2006 X5 3.0i. Would appreciate any DIY help on replacing that top moulding of the windshield. Thanks.

It's very simple really. Use a putty knife and carefully pry out the old seal. Once out clean the glass with solvent. ( You may use a heat gun to soften the old rubber). Place the new seal over the slot and carefully push the seal in. (I used a plastic wedge, and again a heat gun may help to warm the material) There is sufficient adhesive on the new part so don't worry about applying extra glue. Just press it in and Wah Lah, you are finished. Of course then clean you windshield. And pocket the $$$ you just saved.

Would spraing a Silicone spray for rubber care take care of it? not to crack again. I think it would help rubber, not drying out and cracking.

Thanks for the tip my 06 seal is cracked too. I was kind of hoping this was covered under CPO but I guess its not.

I was able to find this video that may help. I plan to try it this coming weekend.

BMW 330i Windshield Trim Replacement how to.wmv - YouTube

Oh my God guys I was completely stressing about this, it was taking me so long to put it back together with a little screw driver, AND YOU WOULDNT BELIEVE IT!!

I WAS DONE IN LESS THAN 3 MINUTES AND 48 SECONDS!! lol

Look, I went to purchase this at home depot and was done so fast it blew me away ahahahaha lol,

First you need a rubber hammer ($4.96) from Home Depot:

Estwing 12 Oz. Deadhead Rubber Mallet (DH-12) from The Home Depot

than a plastic knife chisel ($.98)
2 in. Plastic Joint Knife-DS20 at The Home Depot

WOW!! AHAHAH I even went to my friends body shop "before" I went to home depot, i would have paid $60 bucks...

I bought those 2 items up there and I swear, I think it took me 3 minutes!! just put tape at both ends to holp up the molding, insert plastic knife chisel in between the molding liner, and hit it witht he rubber hammer!! it snaps right in!!

there you guys owe me one! lol

After all this time of having the molding I decided to go forth with this installation today. The YouTube video helped out A LOT, but the new molding does not bring the red tape to pull and reveal the adhesive. It comes with a silicone bead embedded within the the same slot you will be sliding the glass through. Make sure you put some dish washing soap along the edge of the glass and inside the slot so that I slides right in. Sorry no pictures as I did this while on break.

Evening, old thread i know but my seal is in the same state as yours in the pic you showed, did you ever get leaks with it in that condition?

The windscreen should be sealed to the body independently of this trim piece, which does nothing the keep water out - its most likely there to reduce noise and for cosmetic reasons.

No leak til this day and I still have not replaced it yet. It looks much worse today than that picture posted 9 years ago! Since this is mostly a cosmetic piece as others have indicated - the windshield itself is sealed to the body independently of this trim piece, I may just leave it as is. My car is black and it's barely noticeable unless you know what to look for.

Helloooo ,phew good to know as mine is deteriorating fast, i an certain its the heat and use of a sun protector visor inside that covers all the windshield during summer, this protects the interior leather frm sun damage, but channels all that heat upwards too, so if it crumbles totally ya reckon i can get get way will installing sum thin weather strip in gully ?and or a plastic strip along glass ? Its a matter of time for the whole thing to crumble off

It’s a fairly easy part to replace.

Okee cokeeeee, toying with idea of some sort of weather stripping to run along glass although i reckon it will come unstuck due to heat, my x is silver so if you do take a peak it is noticeable....thanks though for feedback, good to know part is not for weather proofing

Just my .02, but I think what I would do is tape up the roof line and fill that shallow valley with black silicone. Totally waterproof and shouldn’t dry out too quickly in the sun either.

Just tape the roof line, fill the valley, wet a finger and pull along to smooth out the silicone- a nearly permanent fix, that will definitely keep water out.

It’s cheap to do it right. And silicone might be a pain in the ass if you ever have to remove. Depends on how good it sticks. But yea. I thought about that as well.

To be frank if it aint broken i won't fix it....if the strip is more cosmetic i wont touch but the silicone suggestion and even the replacing of the strip myself is something i will consider...

If the gap doesn't bother you (it hadn't bothered me), just leave it as is. Frankly, using silicone will make it stand out and look worse.

I looked at our Audi S3 the other day and it doesn't use that trim piece at all - its windshield just butts up the the top of the roof, with maybe ~1-2mm gap.

Whoops, clarification, I missed the fact we’re talking about the “beauty strip” on the front of the windshield, I was thinking this was the chunky rubberized window seal behind it. In that instance I have used black silicone behind the “beauty strip” and it’s totally invisible. I had a number of other things I was doing at the time and replacing the windshield seal wasn’t at the top, little black silicone along the top edge, again, down in the valley behind the “beauty strip” and my concern was alleviated for the time being.

You probably right, i only noticed when black bits appeared on sponge and roof while washing x5, if i start fiddling there will be no stopping till i remove all the crumbling parts, will let time & sun do thar for me...no leaks n i won't tamper....thanks for reply

K so you removed the strip and used the black silicon in the channel between the newly exposed edge of the windscreen and the metalwork of roof closest to this edge?

And back to an old post but we had rain out here and it was nothing I have seen for years, it was mud in essence everything was brown as the rain coming down kindly cleared the air of all the dust that was at huge levels....
So took a hose to it and that black trim has gone bye bye....anyhow no leak i am happy...used to frett over knocks scratches and dents but getting too old to worry about these things.....