Hi
I bought a rear window seal for my type 3 from wolfsburg automotive.. i think its the empi brand ones.. in preperation for the work being done on it.
Now that the works all done, we've come to replace the seal and put the window back in, but it seems to fat, it just won't fit in and we're too scared to put too much force on it..
We're running the string around the gap.. using soapy water.. but it just doesn't want to fit!!
Any body else had experience with these rubbers? Thanks!
68AutoBug ·
Hi Jo,
No, I haven't used their products but they seem to be doing the right thing and making or selling only quality parts....
My rubbers were from the US, [made in the US] looked a bit thick to Me, but My Son,who has installed many windows in VWs and hits the glass with the palm of his hand...
The rear windows are usually the hardest to fit...
but, I've read, the hardest to break...
and the original glass is toughened..
so it will take a pounding...
Even after its in, it will probably need a push with Your hand to get it all seated... properly...
Maybe, get a friend, to help, telling them they don't have to pay for the glass, if it breaks!!
I couldn't have gotten My new rear rubber in either....
its push and hit hard wiith the palm of Your hand...
Just keep trying, is all I can say...
and hit it where its not going in, You really have to compress the rubber as You go... so its push hard or hit hard...
Best of Luck Jo
Lee
jo_tas ·
Yeah, that's exactly what we did.. for an hour or so.. two big guys and me.. lol
Oh well, looks like its off to a glass specialists tommorow.. to say.. FIX IT!!
I wanna be back on the road!!
Volkswagenboy ·
Gaffa tape it in!
-Staggers.
68AutoBug ·
Bad Luck Jo...
I presume You did the others OK...
but two biguns should usually do it...
the glass people may have little tricks...??
You'll have to find what they are...
I did hear of a fellow who used ARMORALL on the rubbers to help put them in, instead of soapy water...
Worked Excellent..
When He closed a door, the two side windows popped out..
and broke..
as ARMORALL is very slippery and can take a long time to dry.. especially if its sealed in behind the rubber..
Cheers Jo
Lee
bajachris88 ·
empi u say? hmm....
I heard nuffin but bad rep for that company in regards to their merchandise today... (apparently they WERE good some time ago)... how many people on here have complained about their empi brand crank pulleys not fittin... 👎 I personally havne't heard anything positive about today's empi.. thats just me though.
Hopefully the brand isn't failing in the rubbers division... but if it ain't fitting... then, hopefully it is just something simple and not manufacture fault... (fingers crossed).
jo_tas ·
Yeah well, i was thinking the same thing.. i didn't actually realise they were empi brand until after i bought them.. but they sound like they should be good!
Gonna try a couple more tricks tommorow.. one being heating up the seal...
butidontunderstand ·
I hope you get them in well tommorow!!
then maybe a few photos of gwen looking extra-pretty?? :bounce :bounce
vw54 ·
The Type 3 Fastback rear windows would have to be one of the hardest seal in any volkswagen to replace
Ive done 2 or 3 with guys that have been fitting rubbers for years
so LOTS of luck and keep pushing theres NO easy way to do this Type 3 rubber
koolkarmakombi ·
Jo,
try thick cord, personal water based lubricant :P ,
then a heat gun from the outside, from a 1/2 meter or so.
They are a right bitch to get in even with practise..
kkk
dangerous ·
The Empi brand from Wolfsburg Automotive is NOT the crap one.
He purchased the original name and is trying to educate people
that his one and the original from the '60s and '70s are a quality brand.
I have found that the "string theory" is a hassle and it uses up space if the string is big enough, and cuts the rubber if it is too small.
You will need someone on the outside putting pressure on, but not so much hitting.
My bro always helps me, and we use a "pick" that has wooden handle, to lift the rubber lip up over the steel, whilst keeping pressure on from the outside.
Lots of soapy water or waterbased lube😉.
There is another trick he does but will be hard to describe without a pic.
He cuts some short strips of tin, about 20mm wide and about 50mm long,
and puts a 90 degree bend about 8mm from the end.
These are placed around the steel lip, with the long part facing inside the car.
As you use the "pick" to lift the rubber over the VW steel, the tin pieces
stop the rubber creasing and tearing, making for a more gradual progression.
The pros all have the pick tool, and use a big suction cup on the inside, to do the job single handed.
[ Edited on 20-8-2006 by dangerous ]
68AutoBug ·
Hi,
I was going to mention the same thing Dave, about the EMPI parts that are made by Wolfsburg Automotive, are OK ...
If I were them, I wouldn't have bothered with the EMPI name as its got such a BAD Reputation Now, with all the poor reproduction EMPI branded parts and accessories that are flooding the market currently....
Most of the TAIWAN EMPI parts look really great, its just a shame they don't fit, or were made badly....
Chris, there are Now Two EMPI Brands... One is OK made by Wolfsburg Automotive {Victoria]
or EMPI [made in Taiwan] which people are having many problems with... some break, some don't fit, some fall off..
and You don't want part of Your engine coming off....
Lee
jo_tas ·
Thanks guys for clearing up the details about the empi brand..
Makes me feel better knowing i haven't bought rubbish! They certainly feel good.. nice and soft but not too soft..
Haven't quite got it in yet.. taking it to a friend tommorow hopefully, who has replaced alot of VW windows in his time!
Thanks,
Josie
vw54 ·
Let us know how you go
i assure you it will be hard to fit there a B i t ch so as to put it.
you can try KY jelly as its much slippery that soap ive used it on windows before
I think u will probally need 5 people one to hold each corner and one to pull the rubber into place
Tazz ·
:alien
Erm Dave? How do you know KY is... Erm.... Ok i dont want to know...
I await the outcome... I am replacing rooflining so rear window, Front and both rear popouts....( Carefull with those rubbers i hear you say)
Tazz
68AutoBug ·
Hi
I'm not saying that this will help... [maybe]
but I have been using venitian blind cord to put VW Windows in...
its small, and will Not break etc...
But I used PVC covered electrical wire for the windows in My beetle,
and because the pvc is smooth and shiney, it doesn't dig in or cut the rubber, when the pressure is on...
I think it was 4mm [or maybe 5mm]...
worked very well...it was the wire sold at dick Smiths...
cheers and best of Luck with the type 3 windows...