Can I replace the outside windshield moulding without removing the windshield? (1 Viewer)

[Moridinbg]

At some point the PO really did cheap out on a windshield replacement and did not replace the outside moulding at all - just cut the top part?!. Strange, considering expenses generally weren't spared on the rest of the car...

Believe it or not, I did not notice this for the first few months, until I started looking into wind noises at speed.

Recently water started getting in somewhere around the handle inside. I have now ordered the Outside and Outside No2. mouldings.

Looking at the FSM, it starts by ungluing the top part of the moulding, which I already do not have.

It then cuts the outside upper moulding - is this the horizontal strip that I already have on the photo above?

Now the question is - is this a windshield out job? Can I dig out the remains of the old moulding? Do I have to also replace the top moulding?

 

[NoVaGator]

you don't appear to have the side part of the outside molding either. (can't tell for sure) Did you already remove it?

the outside upper molding is the horizontal strip that you do have.

given what has been done so far, I would make no assumption about the prior install and the cause of the leaking. The horizontal molding itself is not going to keep water out, nor is the side molding.

 

[KillerBox]

I just had brand new molding (outer and inner) pieces and new rivets replaced on my 2001 LX. I did this because another windshield place 1/2 assed the installation and I had wind noise but, no leaks. So yes, you can replace without removing the windshield.

 

[Moridinbg]

Well, looks like windshield off then. Is it 100% necessary to cut the top moulding, as per the FSM? It might take a while to have a new one shipped...

 

[NATacoCruiser]

Looks like you need (2) 7554360020, 7553360031 MOULDING, WINDSHIELD, OUTSIDE RH and 7553460021 MOULDING, WINDSHIELD, OUTSIDE LH.

 

[NoVaGator]

Well, looks like windshield off then. Is it 100% necessary to cut the top moulding, as per the FSM? It might take a while to have a new one shipped...

I'm sure you could get the top molding OUT without removing the windshield. But I think it would be very difficult to get a new top molding in place with all of the old urethane in there though.

 

[Mark WV]

You do not need to remove the top molding to install new side moldings. (Unless you suspect a leak on the top of the windshield)

Most likely your leak comes from the holes in the pillar where the trim was previously attached. They may have left these holes open or used silicone which has come loose.

You will need the special plastic capped rivets to install the side moldings. Note the holes in the pillar may have been accidentally enlarged from when they drilled out the old rivets. Good practice to have a selection of larger rivets on hand along with some black weatherstrip adhesive it you end up using the larger un-sealed rivets. (I add weatherstrip adhesive to the sealed rivets and under the trim as well for additional insurance)

It helps to have a long nose rivet gun to install the rivets as they are deep in the u-channel of the side trim. Alternatively you can add 4 or 5 small washers to the top of the rivet to extend the nose of the gun. Protect the windshield with cardboard or such as the “pop” of the rivet could shatter the windshield if the gun is in contact with it.

 

[DirtDawg]

What @Mark WV Said.

Buy new moldings. Lay them in place. Rivet them in. Use supplied tape or double sided 3M on the top portion. No windshield removal.

 

[kickitrootdown]

I've got a related-but-not-quite-the-same issue that I hope to get solved here instead of starting a new thread - I started hearing vibrations while driving, kind of like when a strap is vibrating, and found the moulding above the driver door has peeled quite a bit. Hasn't made its way to the windshield yet, but I want to get it sorted out before water starts finding its way in. I've been fortunate that SLC hasn't gotten much precip lately (well, lucky for my car, unlucky for the water budget). Any ideas how the best way might be to adhere it again? Also found that the top windshield moulding is pulling off a bit on the passenger side - replace the whole thing or just try to re-adhere it?

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Use strong two way tape to stick on the over the door molding. And some glue for the top molding

 

[kickitrootdown]

Use strong two way tape to stick on the over the door molding. And some glue for the top molding

Any advice for the top molding?

 

[LX470Texas]

I just had brand new molding (outer and inner) pieces and new rivets replaced on my 2001 LX. I did this because another windshield place 1/2 assed the installation and I had wind noise but, no leaks. So yes, you can replace without removing the windshield.

@KillerBox curious if this resolved your wind noise? I am having the same issue and I put in new molding, still getting the wind noise. Anything else you can recommend?

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Any advice for the top molding?

Try black RTV sealant and put masking tape on it to hold it down. A few hours later pull off the tape and voila!