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Vent w/s installation tips - from a recent experience

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by kamel, Nov 12, 2013.

  1. Nov 12, 2013
    kamel

    kamel Senior Curmudgeon

    Erlanger, Kentucky
    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2003
    Messages:
    891
    Vent windshield gasket tips.
    There are two types of vent w/s seals out there that I know of --
    Original NOS and reproduction -- available on ebay.

    The NOS seals are fairly flexible and install relatively easily, whilst the reproductions are stiff
    and require a lot of special handling -- I made good use of transmission assembly lube and a heat gun.
    I also had to remove the two sets of brackets that hold the w/s together when installing the seal.
    One can install the seal and slide it, but only a couple inches of installed seal will slide.

    For the repro seal ----
    In the area at the top of the windshield there are four welded on tabs for the windshield wiper mount.
    The seal will fit there, but cannot be installed there because the tabs interfere with installation.
    This is where the seal can be slid into place.

    The repro seal had to be cut into 6 sections..
    1) frame joint along bottom to the corresponding frame joint on the other side
    2) upper frame joint to the first wiper install tang
    3) short piece between wiper tangs ~5 or so inches
    4) piece along the top between the inside two wiper tangs
    5) same as #3
    6) same as #2

    But the big difference is that the two seals do not have the same profile. The NOS has a slight indent to
    accomodate the change (splaying) in the seal when the glass is closed and the reproduction does not have that
    indent.

    So, when installed, the reproduction seal will jam and not allow the w/s frame to sit in the closed position.
    It'll stick open about 3 - 4 inches.

    What I had to do was to trim ~1/4 inch from the edge of the seal at the top -- behind the metal hinge, so it
    wasn't visible. The glass would shut then, and needed only slight trimming around the top edge and upper
    part of the side. It is easy to see where the seal is splayed outside the inner lip of the outer frame.

    I hope this helps anyone else when installing the vent w/s shield. And if anyone has a choice between a repro seal
    and an NOS one, the NOS is a much better seal as long as it is in good condition.
     
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