Windscreen seal replacement

cdnp6

cdnp6

Member
OK, so I know a Rover P6 is a fairly scarce car in Canada, but a windscreen seal shouldn't be an impossible thing to do. I took my car to the local glass shop to get an estimate on replacing the front windshield seal on my 2000 TC and the shop owner told me a new seal will leak "even worse than the old one, and we will definitely break the glass taking it out." He could not tell me why a new seal would leak, Why they would break the glass, didn't want to listen to any explanation of how the windshield is held in place, or look at my workshop manual. They quoted £305.00 to do the job if "I really wanted it done". I won't bring this guy any other business again!
Who has replaced their own windshield seals? It can't be as bad as this numpty makes it out to be....
 
I've removed and re-fitted the screen using the same rubber - it's not a tricky process at all.

That said, if the $305 includes a new screen and rubber, it might not be unreasonable.

The most awkward bit of replacing the screen is removing and refitting the chrome trims around the windscreen without damaging the paint. After that, you remove the wiper arms and the metal panel below the windscreen, and then loosen a couple of bolts. After that, it just slides/pushes out fairly easily.

Refitting and removing it does require two people to make it easy - if only for the weight/awkwardness of the glass. :)
 
Just what Jim says.
Bring a friend along and don't bother with morons in glass shops.
It requires some dismantling, but otherwise it is not a difficult job.
I have managed it myself and there was no need to remove the A pillar stainless covers.
 
Standard practice in a lot of trades - we don't want to do the job, so bump up the price until the customer either goes away, or it becomes worth the trouble. Sad really.

As stated, not a difficult job at all, not like a more standard screen where you get the string in the seal etc..
 
Do you already have or can you obtain a new rubber seal? If you are replacing the seal it is quite an easy job as everyone says (I've done it just like a few others on this forum). If you have a proper fitting seal, you shouldn't even need to use sealer (but if you do, make sure you get the right type of sealer for old style rubber seals and not modern "bonded" screens).

$305 seems extremely reasonable. Can you even buy a new windscreen and seal for $305? It would be worth it if they do a proper job and don't damage your car. There is absolutely no way they should be breaking the windscreen - maybe they only have experience doing modern bonded screens that you have to break to remove or they are just saying that to cover their backs in the event that they accidentally break it.
 
Thanks for the words of encouragement guys. I have 1 new seal still covered in spots by the original perservative, and a good used seal with no cuts. I still need to paint the car but I want to get the bushes/springs done first. I was thinking I would install the used seal now for peace of mind on rainy days and install the new seal after the painting is done. The estimate of $500.00 or £305.00 is, in my mind, excessive if they are using my parts, and not replacing the glass.
The glass tech was spouting all these things about why he couldn't do it and then said "I don't even know what kind of car this is".
It's getting colder here now, and Rover season is coming to and end. I will put this on the back burner till springtime and see who I can find to give me a hand with this then.
Demetris, how did you manage this without removing the A pillar trim? I'm sure this can be done without removing the bonnet, right?
Roy
 
Roy, although the manual says that you have to remove the bonnet in order to remove the front scuttle panel, i don't really see it as an absolute requirement. With the bonnet open you can manoeuvre it and lift it towards the windscreen first and then out of the car. Then you remove the central screen bracket, slack the jacking brackets either side, and (with some persuasion if it is fitted with sealant) the windscreen will slide down enough to clear the rubber. Then you just pull the rubber out, but when you refit it take care to fit it correctly to the car and stainless trims. It has a complicated profile and and it is worth to note how it is fitted before you remove it. When you fit the glass again jack it up gently, it should not be stressed.
 
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