Installing new URO rear quarter window seals

[Brakey]

Having read the tech articles on how to install new quarter window seals on my 73 2002 I figured it wasn't going to be easy but this is ridiculous!!

I have a mix of new BMW and URO seals, unfortunately I only have URO rear quarter window seals. Having heard of dimensional problems with their seals I was a bit taken back how out of proportion these seals were. On my 73 it was literally impossible to set the seal in the opening and push the inner part of the seal in the rest of the way to set it in place. The seal is too wide in that area. The gap in the sheet metal is not wide enough to accept that part of the seal regardless of force used. I had to trim about 1/8" off of the lip with snips and then had to grind the lip down until almost 1/4" was taken off. 

[Mike Self]

Dunno if it'll help, but I assisted a friend installing those seals on his '75, and did a column about our travails.  PM me and I'll send you a copy...

 

mike

[Brakey]

Thanks Mike but the seals are already in ( see photo ).

Based on this experience I would say URO seals are less than good representations of the original.

Or they SUCK!

[NYNick]

I used OEM per Steve at Blunt's suggestion and I dare say it was one of the most difficult jobs I did on the car, along with...

 

freeing up the rear brake adjusters

removing an e-brake cable

removing the right rear carrier bushing

installing the windshield lock strips...

 

...well I guess there were a few tough jobs looking back.

[URO Parts Support]

Hi Brakey, how long ago did you purchase those seals?  The manufacturing code on the bags in your photo shows that pair is almost five years old, and from 13 production runs ago. 

 

Our engineers grabbed some of current 51 36 7 441 112 seals from stock (51 36 7 441 113 is out of stock) and compared them to OEM, and found no significant dimensional differences.    We'd be happy to get you a pair of the current seals once 51 36 7 441 113 is available again.  We've been selling more than 300 pair annually with no returns or complaints, so a pair of current seals should work better for you.  Just send us a PM with your shipping info, thanks.

[esty]

i just installed 2 pairs of the same seals, in a 72 and a 74 and didn't have any problem...i did trim a bit off the inside of the rubber at the lower kink at the back of the opening

 

[URO Parts Support]

^ Like this?

 

[esty]

yes, i followed the advise of the post above after that section popped out a few times...there is a lot of pressure in the kink and removing just a sliver of rubber relieved it so the gasket would stay in

 

 

[chargin]

On 7/18/2021 at 4:57 AM, NYNick said:

I used OEM per Steve at Blunt's suggestion and I dare say it was one of the most difficult jobs I did on the car, along with...

 

freeing up the rear brake adjusters

removing an e-brake cable

removing the right rear carrier bushing

installing the windshield lock strips..

yes some 2002 jobs seem unnecessarily tough but just wait until you attempt the Door  Wing Vent seal, for me that was the hardest of ALL the seals by far, so much so I only did one 

[pd_55]

Funny enough, that was the very first job I did when I picked my car up last year. It was extremely difficult with the Uro seals, but got done with some trimming, silicone spray, many pry tools and a couple layers of skin over a couple days. I thought that if this was going to be how all the work would be on a vintage BMW, it may need to stay as is. Luckily, everything after seemed like a breeze in comparison. Although I need to do the wing vent seals eventually, so thanks for that @chargin.

[TobyB]

Nothing on a 2002 is hard after you've done the roof on an e46 'vert.

 

t

ayup

[Brakey]

This reply is to the URO rep.

I probably purchased these rear vent window seals about 3 years ago. I usually purchase parts prior to starting restorations. Having worked with seal suppliers on US vehicles, I see no reason for the seal aging 3 or 4 years to be a reason for concern. I have seals for my British sports cars that are probably over 10 years old and see no degradation as far as increased durometer or surface imperfections.

The flat section of these seals as the fit into the groove at the window opening is clearly too wide to fit into the groove. They had to be modified to be installed. I had no problems fitting the URO door opening seals which attach in much the same way. I doubt that the seal groove is any different than other E10 BMW's.

I think you need to check the masters at your manufacturing facility to see if these seals are correct. I believe aging is not the factor but there is a dimensional issue.

[URO Parts Support]

Hi Brakey, the issue certainly isn't age, it's that the manufacturing code on the bags in your photo shows your pair is almost five years old and from thirteen production runs ago.   Our production lines regularly make running changes to improve our products, so a seal from thirteen runs ago could easily be a little different than our current design.

 

We'd be happy to get you a pair of the current seals, once part number 51 36 7 441 113 (currently out of stock) is available again.  We've been selling more than 300 pair annually with no returns or complaints, so a pair of our current seals should work better for you. 

 

Just send us a PM with your shipping info, thanks!

[Brakey]

Thanks for the offer.

 

 

Edited August 10, 2021 by Brakey

[sgaffman]

You should probably not post your name and address on a public internet forum. A better way would be to send a private message (PM) to the URO Parts Support person.

 

Fwiw this level of support is rad, kuddos URO!!