Windshield gasket chrome insert

[Tbone1209]

Has anyone figured out a replacement hack for the round pseudo chrome insert that sits in the windshield gasket? 

 

 

[Mark92131]

This.

 

Mark92131

 

 

[visionaut]

OE Chrome is $70

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E10-1602-2002-2002Tii-Front-or-Rear-Chrome-Windshield-Moulding-Genuine-NEW-/190863090268

[Mike Self]

That "chrome trim" (actually plastic) fulfills an important role in keeping the windshield flying in formation with the rest of the car.  When properly inserted, it expands the rubber windshield gasket to firmly hold the glass in place.  In the past folks have replaced the plastic trim with black spark plug wire; doing that doesn't fulfill the harder/stiffer plastic insert's duty of expanding the rubber gasket.  

 

If you want black trim, I believe the proper trim is available in black.  

 

mike

[calw]

IIRC, the black lockstrip was used on the turbo model, along with a black "connector" where the ends meet

 

According to Walloth & Nesch, The black strip, for front or back window is  51311834550,the connector in black is 51311834702

 

The connector costs more than the strip (!) on their website

[Mike Self]

2 hours ago, calw said:

The connector costs more than the strip (!) on their website

For a black connector, take a chrome one and either

• scuff the anodizing off and spray with SEM trim paint, or
• take some dull sheen electrical tape and tuck the tape ends up under the rubber gasket.

mike

[Tbone1209]

My original Tourings is the plastic chrome look. And I thought perhaps I could cut something to length as I don't believe the 2002 item will be long enough. My connector is in perfect condition thankfully. 

 

Thanks for the explanation Mike. I did read up a bit on the importance of the lock strip. Not just a pretty trim piece.. 

[esty]

 

[Tbone1209]

Want to match the original. I'll just put the original back in if nothing is available. It's just a bit tired looking 

[PatAllen]

fwiw what i posted works well and is cheap.

[Overdraft]

How long does it takes to do this task?  My plan is to do front and rear (in “chrome”) this week.  I have the tool at my disposal and if something was going not break or not come out right, I would rather own the problem rather than a kid at a glass shop who would feel terrible..

 

[AceAndrew]

Give yourself 20minutes each. You could do it in half the time, but you may want to pull it out and restart one or twice.

 

Once you start, try not to have to reset the lock strip, as that will give you waves.  

 

 

[Overdraft]

Ok - good advice thanks.  I thought it would be longer..so this is good news.

[2002iii]

3 hours ago, AceAndrew said:

Give yourself 20minutes each. You could do it in half the time, but you may want to pull it out and restart one or twice.

 

Once you start, try not to have to reset the lock strip, as that will give you waves.  

 

 

If you've never done it before it might take awhile to get the hang of it.

[jgerock]

37 minutes ago, 2002iii said:

If you've never done it before it might take awhile to get the hang of it.

I just did this last week to my 69. Prior to that, was 2015 for the same car.