MK4 Windshield body gap question

[David_L]

Hi guys! Back to my build after a couple surgerys slowed me down! It sucks getting old sometimes. lol I'm planning on finishing everything, registering and driving a few months before bodywork and paint to work out any bugs. Only a few items away!

I've read as much as I could about installing the windshield and understand about putting spacers ( on PS side if possible ) for the bracket arms.

My issue is there are small gaps on both the PS, 1.5MM and DS 2.5 mm between body and windshield gasket. The center part of windshield is bottomed on gasket I'm using a jig for windshield so it's set exactly at 47 inches and windshield is centered about perfectly. Driver side mount arm is against windshield, with the gap at ths PS that will be shimmed. Bulb seals are installed.

List of ways I think this can be addressed? Just throwing out ideas here..

1. Firewall is too high and needs to be trimmed maybe a 1/4 inch after body is removed. If this is done, I'm hoping I can mount the windshield now and have enough play in the arms to drop the windshield down maybe 1/4 inch after firewall trimming and body reinstall?

2. Body guy adds some filler in that area.

3. Add some kind of gasket to existing one to close the small gap.


Any help on this would be great!

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=210165&d=1738787723

DS gap
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=210159&d=1738787198

PS gap
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=210160&d=1738787198


https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=210158&d=1738786981

[michael everson]

You can clearly see the body is a different shape right there. I have never addressed it. The gasket eventually settles into the dip.
Mike

[David_L]

You can clearly see the body is a different shape right there. I have never addressed it. The gasket eventually settles into the dip.
Mike

Hi Michael! So are you saying it's not really an issue and the seal will eventually settle into that indention even though the middle is all the way down? If so, here I am worrying about something I didn't need to! Sounds like me! lol

[Rebostar]

What Mike said!
Mine did the same thing. I had a helper push down on the windhield while keeping it level with a small carpenters level. That took some of the gap away.Then I marked the holes for drilling. The seal settled in after a week or two and closed that gap.

210177210178

[Jeff Kleiner]

As Mike said we sometimes see a little gap there...but not always. You mentioned "...using a jig for windshield so it's set exactly at 47 inches." Don't know what you're talking about there????? 47 inches measured where? The dimension for setting the windshield angle is just over 27" measured from the rear edge of the door opening to the center of the top screw in the side arms.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=130461&d=1593036847

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=130460&d=1593036763

If you get it laid back too far; i.e., less than 27" the rubber will come up off of the body.

[rich grsc]

As Jeff says, if the windshield is laid back too far you get a gap. The easiest to do is stand the windshield up just a little more

[David_L]

As Mike said we sometimes see a little gap there...but not always. You mentioned "...using a jig for windshield so it's set exactly at 47 inches." Don't know what you're talking about there????? 47 inches measured where? The dimension for setting the windshield angle is just over 27" measured from the rear edge of the door opening to the center of the top screw in the side arms.


If you get it laid back too far; i.e., less than 27" the rubber will come up off of the body.

So sorry! I meant 27 inches! I'm using aluminum angle to the top screw. You can see it in the first picture. I'm planning on maybe adding a softtop so wanted the 27 inches. Thanks everyone for your comments! Looks like I'm good!