ZR-1 Net Registry Forums - Windshield trim moulding/weatherstrip removal & reinstall

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Windshield trim moulding/weatherstrip removal & reinstall

Perhaps the best place to start is my understanding of sequence of assembly based on tear down.

Based on what I saw, windshield frame consists of two box sections (one each side) joined at the top by a box section header.
To this frame, windshield is glued on using black urethane caulking (I think).

First moulding to go on are "L" section powder coated side trim pieces. These trim pieces (one for each side) have black formed vinyl strips attached on the inside (I think they these vinyl strips had adhesives on both sides). Factory assembly relied on these vinyl strips to keep the water out.
These side trim pieces with vinyl strips on the inside were attached to the "A" pillar with dabs of urethane followed by drilling and sheet metal screws. This means hole locations vary from car to car.

Below is the back side of side trim piece with vinyl strip.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/u...psvlg6yoiz.jpg

Once both side trims were in place, top trim piece (with vinyl strip, or flashing attached) was located with urethane caulk dabs followed by sheet metal screws.

Below is the bottom of the top piece with vinyl strip.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/u...psx5d6ig04.jpg

This top piece consists of two powder coated aluminum pieces riveted together.

Above was followed by outer "channel" trim attached to the side trim via double sided tape, drilled and screwed to the "A" pillar.

Below is driver side trim (left) and "channel" trim (right).
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/u...psweruenqd.jpg

Once side channel trim was attached dabs of rubber glue was put on side channel trims and top channel trim to which weatherstrip was attached and squeezed into. Weather strip is further held in place at top left, top right and bottom sides (behind the door edge) with black plastic push pins shaped like roofing nails.

Below is the picture of top trim with "channel" trim.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/u...psyah7wipr.jpg

Once you understand the sequence of assembly it helps with the removal.

First step of dis-assembly is removal of weatherstrip. First remove black plastic tabs. I normally start on the driver side. grab the bottom of the weatherstrip, pul up as much as I can, find where it is glued and, using a long retractable razor, cut the rubber cement as close to the channel strip as possible. Out of 4 weatherstrips I had removed, I was able to save one. Not perfect but good enough to use again. Having gone through these removals and resulting destruction, I do not use glue when I install new weatherstrip. I found "channel" design is such that the weatherstrip stays put on the trim and maintain water-tight seal even without any glue.

Once weather strip is removed, you will see exposed sheet metal screw heads. Some are T-15 torx and some are phillips heads.

Top trim: Remove the top trim, starting from one end, pull up gently, located where urethane caulking dabs are, cut through with long razor blade and the trim is lifted. Care must be taken not to attempt to remove simply by pulling up. If you bend this trim while removing, you will be busy trying to find and buy a replacement - not fun nor cheap!

Side trims: Remove all exposed sheet metal screws on both sides. Grab the "channel" shaped out side trim at one end and using a long, flexible razor cut the double sided tape as the trim is pulled. Care must be taken not to be the trim excessively. Once outside trims are removed, you will see a few more sheet metal screws holding the "L" shaped trims to he "A" pillar. Remove screws and using a long flexible razor, locate where it's glued down with urethane caulk, and cut through, releasing the trim.

When above steps are completed, windshield is ready for removal/reinstall.

Now, for the reinstall - obviously reverse of above is the logical process. However, not having a fresh trim mouldings with brand new vinyl strips neatly attached to the inside of the trims is what makes it tricky.

If you insist on NCRS level reinstall, using 3M double stick tape, attach vinyl strips for the sides and the top onto the windshield/"A" pillar/header. Front edges of the vinyl strip should not have double stick tape. Otherwise, you will see grey tape after the install - not good!

Once vinyl strips are in place, apply double stick tape on top of vinyl strips on sides and top. Again, leave about 1/4" of the front free of double stick tape.

Now, attach side trims by attaching to exposed double stick tape followed by sheet metal screws.

Once both side trims are in place, locate, attach and screw down top trim.

Attach outside "channel" trims to the outside, side trims using double sided tape followed by sheet metal screw.

With all trim mouldings mounted, install new weatherstrip. I normally start at the middle of the top piece and work down to both sides.

One tip - I stretch the double stick tape during this install process to reduce the thickness of the tape as much as possible. This helps to keep trims as flush with the windshield as much as possible.

My last install per above was on Jim's (QB93) 95 Z. He tells me he had no issue with water infiltration. However, if water leakage is the issue, I would use masking tape on the outside edge of the trim, mask off the windshield, and go around the edge with either black silicone or urethane caulking.

Good luck!