On my 2003 S Type-R, the front passenger side front windshield molding has a few bad rust spots on it after being hit by rock salt this past winter. I'm looking to replace it and being told by my bodyshop that the entire windshield has to pulled in order to replace it, while my parts department and another auto glass shop are telling me the windshield doesn't need to be pulled. The black plastic piece and rubber molding do look to be one piece when you pull up on it.

Anyone have this problem or dealt with a similar situation???

T.I.A...

 

My 2005 STR had the windshield wipers adjusted incorrectly when I purchased the car. The wipers were hitting the driver’s side windshield trim and scratched/marked it up. I just taped the paint off around the trim piece and sanded it down and painted it satin black. Got a great match and did both sides so they match perfect. Looks much better. Maybe a little repair/repaint would fix you up?
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My 2001 S-Type had rust bubbling up on the driver’s side windscreen trim. I too masked off the area, sanded, primed and sanded again. I then sprayed with satin black paint from a 12oz aerosol can for a total cost of $20 including at least one malt beverage.

On selling the car a few months ago with 160k miles, the trim still looked great.

 

I finally found out that the piece just screws in...I removed all of the molding around the windshield to find that out...good news, as i was going to sand, prime and paint as well...

So have a new one ordered and should have it soon...