Windshield pinch weld rust

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Joined
Jun 15, 2004
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Cottage Grove, MN
:mad: Arghhh... :mad: I had my windshield replaced last night on the 80 and there were two significant rust spots (paint beginning to bubble) on the bottom pinch weld. One rust spot was the size of a dime on the lower PS window frame and one spot was quarter size on the DS.. Both completly concealed by the seal. The glass guy sanded and sealed those spots, but said it will rear it's ugly head again in three to four years time.. Looks like water was getting up in there and not getting out..

Not what I was wanting to hear...

Just venting... I have read the rusty rear hatch post (similar in that it is a pinch weld, both covered by a window gasket, etc..), so I'll follow recommendations there.
 
Zum:

The front shouldn't be too bad - while there are welds, IIRC they are fully welded (ie few open spots). The rust should only be on the surface and shouldn't have penetrated the interior of any of the panels.

The critical thing (and what I believe casued my rust and potentially some of the wet floor) is to use an original (and new) OEM window gasket. Just as important, make sure the ENTIRE procedure outlined in the FSM is followed by your installer.

While most installers will glue the gasket to the window and install, few do the final required step of priming the outside portion of the gasket and applying sealant once the window is in. Why? Because it's a PITA (masking, gluing, cleaning) and they make more $ if they skip it...sort of because you call them back to redo it like I did. When it's finished, you shouldn't be able to lift the outside of the gasket (at least mine can no longer be lifted) - before this was done I could lift it and see a small void that need to be filled.

When I originally (before it was redone) leak tested mine with a garden hose, my windshield started leaking (a very small trickle) in both bottom corners - this was 1 day after a brand new OEM gasket was used so you see how important it is. If it's not fixed water will get in and start to rust out the windshield frame. I have a diagram that shows where they used specific rust resitant sheet steel (double layered zink-iron alloy) and it doesn't look like the area around the windshield got it (although the tailgate is and it rusts like a willy!)

Good luck!

Cheers, Hugh
 
Thanks Hugh.

I have not tried to lift up the outer edge of the gasket, so I don't know if it has been sealed or not. I am guessing it has not only because I see no trace of the window or window frame having any evidence it was masked or small oozes of sealant poking out from under the gasket. Perhaps the installer was impeccable in cleaning up after himself..

If there is no sealant in that pocket, is this a :banana: job or more? Can the primer that is called for in the FSM be applied to the gasket now that it is installed? Also, will the primer and sealant destroy paint at some point if not wiped up? I'm thinking that I will do it myself so I know it is done right.

I made sure the gasket and glass was OEM. This was confirmed by a phone call to the Toyota dealership parts dept. the glass installer uses...
 
MrZumma said:
Thanks Hugh.

If there is no sealant in that pocket, is this a :banana: job or more? Can the primer that is called for in the FSM be applied to the gasket now that it is installed? Also, will the primer and sealant destroy paint at some point if not wiped up? I'm thinking that I will do it myself so I know it is done right.

I made sure the gasket and glass was OEM. This was confirmed by a phone call to the Toyota dealership parts dept. the glass installer uses...

Sorry for the delay - While I'm sure you could DIY, I would suggest that if the step has been missed that you take it back to the installer and have them do it for you (esp given that you paid for a good gasket and glass. They should be using a special sealant vs what you would find in something like Home Depot. I'm not sure about the primer, mine was glued with the gasket in, so I guess we'll see.

Fire back post letting us know if they did the outside.

Cheers, Hugh
 

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