Anyone had the experience of installing a new rubber seal on a back window of a series 2 xj6?
is it a task best left to the pros or is it doable DIY but only for the strong of heart and will?
Any hints?

 

open plan

 

Definately DIY with a patient friend.

Install seal in opening.
Use blue masking tape to hold in place espectically at the top and corners.

Install one window bottom corner first. Top of window will rest on the seal. Other side will need to be held.

Now seal needs to be lipped over glass. I have had good results using a HD paint stick with the corned and edges sanded a bit. To push and slide and lever the lip over the glass. Some parts are done on the outside and at some points pushed out and over from inside the car. And remove the blue tape as you go. Its tedious.

Then I install the locking stip using soapy water. This parts is really tedious.

I have heard of using rope on this type of windows seal but i personally never can get that method to work.

 

Series 1 and II the same job.. after all this work with the rubber seal and locking strip you get the task of re-installing the two large metal trim pieces into the rubber seal grooves. Then, finally the two connectors.. at least a two person...

 

ok, a bit to take in there. seen a few examples of the rope version.
main query, do most installations use special chemical sealant or does the proscess rely for water-tightness entirely on the tension or the the rubber to the glass and steel surround, so its a matter of pressure and rubber tension>?

 

It is quite a job. Can you imagine the assembly line in the 70's. No wonder Jag went bankrupt.

 

I recall the service manual stating to use sealant on the corners. Makes sense becasue water does tend to pool there.

 

I will probably use two part epoxy primer then polyurethane sealant (e.g. Sikaflex). If ever I needed to remove I would cut the rubber seal as rubber is cheaper and easier to repair than metal.

 

the rubber has one edge that flattens oout steeply while the other edge roll down sharply, is there a pref to which edge goes to the glass and which to the car body?

 

look like this-

 

yeez.
finished the back window. it was like wrestling a glue and sealant rubber monster.
and having your fingers squeezed lifeless fitting the chrome. nothing wanted to stay in places at first... god

 

And front seal was quicker but less arduous to perform, rubber seemed too big at first but seemed to need spreading away from the glass rather than closer to the glass like the back one. It's hung in place awaiting some extra sealing up over weekend.
only now that the good weather is here, of course..