How difficult of a DIY is it to replace gasket and reset chrome strip? Can it be done without pulling the windshield? I'd like to do some rust repair and want to remove it in order to do so. Search did not turn up anything
Thanks
jeff

 

As the rubber holds the windscreen in and is one piece (apart from the retaining insert and chrome) I would think that you would need to remove the windscreen as well to get to the rust.
Remove the chrome, prise out the retaining insert strip, run a knife or blade to release any sealant/ glue and prise the internal lip off gradually with a blunt screw driver and push the windscreen out from the inside carefully. If you are using a new rubber (recommended) then you can cut through the rubber to release the windscreen and minimise the risk or damaging your windscreen.

Refitting the windscreen is more difficult and it may be better left to a windscreen fitter but it is do-able with car and patience and lots of dish soap.

 

A sort of general guide here Peter?s Weekend Workshop: Window Sealing Wisdom

Doesn't cover getting the retaining/locking strip back in. I think one those wire tools Windscreen Installation Tool | Frost Auto Restoration Techniques or http://www.panther-pro.co.uk/store/w...prod_1862.html is useful.

 

What Series?

 

On a series 3 the windshield is glued in. There are 3 rubber pieces. 1 the glass sits on that, one chrome to glass and one chrome to body. I have sucessfully gotten the glass to chrome one out without damage but the outer one is held in with the glue. The chrome also has a lip that wraps around back of glass albeit a very small lip. In other words glass will need to come out to properly repair the rust. Be prepared for a whole lotta ugly under there too. The rust you can see with glass in place is just the tip of the iceberg!!!

 

it's a series three. so the glass comes out with thte chroem and rubber gasket?

 

Yes