Windscreen Woes

[EightyFive]

Hi all,

I have tried for hours tonight to get this sucker to fit to no avail. Let me start at the beginning:

After I bought a used screen off ebay I soon realised it was bigger than my old one by 1cm. No biggie I thought as I'd read online before that a larger screen can be fitted to the MK3 as long as the correct thin type seal is used. So I took a punt and bought a (new) seal off ebay that was listed for a MK1 screen.

However hopefully you can see by the pictures that the fit around the glass just seems way off.









Have I somehow put this on incorrectly? or is it likely it was just a cheap, poor quality seal? I've had a go at fitting it into the car but no matter what I've tried I just can't get the screen to go in at the upper edges. In any case it's either me, the screen or the rubber but something definitely doesn't feel right. It shouldn't be this hard.

Anyone had similar issues or suggestions?

Thanks

[Mc Tool]

Yeah , me . When I got mine the screen fitted perfectly , then I got it changed and the pillocks told me my car was duff . I didnt know the story with the seals and screens . So mine looks like yours although its still in and watertight but its obviously wrong. When I went looking for seals locally I was told they are all the same , so maybe your guy sold you the wrong seal. I want the skinny seal but any supplier I have asked is unable to tell me if its thick or thin

[Andrew 2.8i]

I want the skinny seal but any supplier I have asked is unable to tell me if its thick or thin

CCI sell both sizes, if you bought from them I'm sure they'd supply the correct part.
https://www.capriclub.co.uk/Front_Winds ... --859.html

Andrew.

[Mc Tool]

Thanks Andrew , Im hoping to find someone a bit closer , but even as I'm typing this Im thinkin what the h.e double toothpicks .So I might just do that

[EightyFive]

Yeah , me . When I got mine the screen fitted perfectly , then I got it changed and the pillocks told me my car was duff . I didnt know the story with the seals and screens . So mine looks like yours although its still in and watertight but its obviously wrong. When I went looking for seals locally I was told they are all the same , so maybe your guy sold you the wrong seal. I want the skinny seal but any supplier I have asked is unable to tell me if its thick or thin

So do you currently have the larger screen with the wider/ later rubber then? I was under the impression that an MK1 seal, with a larger screen would fit fine in an MK3 shell, but it seems anything but. The rubber in my picture is definitely thinner than my old rubber which had the smaller screen in it, so I'm sure i've ordered the correct type.

Andrew,

From what I've seen the seals are £90 a pop from CCI. I want to be 100% sure it's the quality of the seal before I buy another one.

[D366Y]

So do you currently have the larger screen with the wider/ later rubber then? I was under the impression that an MK1 seal, with a larger screen would fit fine in an MK3 shell, but it seems anything but. The rubber in my picture is definitely thinner than my old rubber which had the smaller screen in it, so I'm sure i've ordered the correct type.

Andrew,

From what I've seen the seals are £90 a pop from CCI. I want to be 100% sure it's the quality of the seal before I buy another one.

Generally speaking CCI supply good quality parts and I wouldn't try wedging it with a MK1 screen - they have separate sized rubbers for a reason so best to do it properly as the last thing you want is for it to fall out once you've spent ages fitting it!
In this instance I think you'd be better off getting the correct part, returning the seal you have and trying again.

Not everything on the internet is always accurate and especially as our cars are now at least 35+ years old and have probably been played around with quite a bit, what works for one may not always work for another...

Cheers
Danny

[EightyFive]

So do you currently have the larger screen with the wider/ later rubber then? I was under the impression that an MK1 seal, with a larger screen would fit fine in an MK3 shell, but it seems anything but. The rubber in my picture is definitely thinner than my old rubber which had the smaller screen in it, so I'm sure i've ordered the correct type.

Andrew,

From what I've seen the seals are £90 a pop from CCI. I want to be 100% sure it's the quality of the seal before I buy another one.

Generally speaking CCI supply good quality parts and I wouldn't try wedging it with a MK1 screen - they have separate sized rubbers for a reason so best to do it properly as the last thing you want is for it to fall out once you've spent ages fitting it!
In this instance I think you'd be better off getting the correct part, returning the seal you have and trying again.

Not everything on the internet is always accurate and especially as our cars are now at least 35+ years old and have probably been played around with quite a bit, what works for one may not always work for another...

Cheers
Danny

But this is where I am confused, I thought the larger screens (which I have) were for the earlier capris, and so if fitting into an MK3 shell required the thinner seal. The thinner seal is the one in the photo and the one I am struggling with.

Also when I say 'internet' what I mean is past posts on this forum.

[Andrew 2.8i]

In this instance I think you'd be better off getting the correct part, returning the seal you have and trying again.

I agree with Danny.

But this is where I am confused, I thought the larger screens (which I have) were for the earlier capris, and so if fitting into an MK3 shell required the thinner seal. The thinner seal is the one in the photo and the one I am struggling with.

With the greatest of respect, if you have a mark 3 Capri with a mark 3 screen, wouldn't it make sense to by a rubber for a mark 3 instead of one for a mark 1 and struggling to get it to fit?
CCI, along with a few other suppliers, are specialists in the Capri and they know what they are doing when it comes to supplying a correct, good quality, part.

Andrew.

[EightyFive]

With the greatest of respect, if you have a mark 3 Capri with a mark 3 screen, wouldn't it make sense to by a rubber for a mark 3 instead of one for a mark 1 and struggling to get it to fit?
CCI, along with a few other suppliers, are specialists in the Capri and they know what they are doing when it comes to supplying a correct, good quality, part.

Andrew.

I have a late MK3 capri with a screen for the MK1-Early MK3 models (Which is 1cm larger than the late type). If what I've read is true, the windscreen hole in the MK1 shell is the same as the MK3 so why would it matter which rubber the car is for? As far as I know it's the thin type for earlier (larger) screens, wide type for later (smaller) screens.

Sorry if I seem spikey I'm just getting frustrated at the situation - I get what you are saying though and I will talk to the chap at CCI. I'm starting to get confused & doubting myself at this point.

I will update as I go!

[Andrew 2.8i]

I have a late MK3 capri with a screen for the MK1

Ah, you never mentioned that in your original post !
In that case, you should have the correct seal as you are right when you say that the windscreen aperture is the same size in all models and years.
You'd think all larger screens would be the same size, but why are mark 1, 2 and early mark 3 screen rubbers all listed separately at the various suppliers? There must be a reason, I would have thought. I'm not picking fault, or whatever, just trying to help you get to the bottom of your seal fitting issue.

Where did you buy your new seal from, East Kent Trim?

In any case, it wouldn't hurt to get some advice from CCI or Martin at Caprigear.

Andrew.

Edit: The seals must be listed separately as the mark 1 has an insert, I believe, whereas the mark 3 does not. Not that it makes any difference to the size, but it does mean that they are different.

[EightyFive]

I have a late MK3 capri with a screen for the MK1

Ah, you never mentioned that in your original post !
In that case, you should have the correct seal as you are correct when you say that the windscreen aperture is the same size in all models and years.

Where did you buy your new seal from, East Kent Trim?

Still, it wouldn't hurt to get some advice from CCI or Martin at Caprigear.

Andrew.

My bad, but yeah hopefully now you can see why I am confused

It was this link here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363365485041 ... SwgHlgfYdC

I have been trying to contact Caprigear but I can't seem to get a hold of him lately!

[Andrew 2.8i]

It was this link here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363365485041 ... SwgHlgfYdC

Thanks for the link.
I don't know if there's any relevance to your situation, but I notice that they have a recent negative feedback stating that a windscreen seal was of poor quality and too big to fit. It would be interesting to find out where they source their supplies from.

Andrew.

[Mc Tool]

Maybe they just have incorrectly labeled parts , but that doesnt account for someone saying its poor quality ....unless they just ment it didnt fit.
I am going to go with Andrews advice and just get hold of CCI , I have already had so much fuckpotting about , local windscreen co have been out 3 times and now when I ring for screen work on my other cars they cringe ( I have had a bad run lately.....gee Im pleased I went for the unlimited screen ( and headlight ) cover insurance option . I have had 2 replacements and one repair already since xmas.

[EightyFive]

UPDATE: She's in!



It took 3 sets of hands and about 7 attempts but she's in! Here's how we did it:

Washing up liquid around the rubber, with a piece of string inside the inner lip, starting from the bottom one of us sat in the car and pulled the string (away from the flange rather than across if that makes sense) Whilst one pushed on the outside edge of the seal and the other putting pressure on the windscreen to keep it in place. Once we got to about 2/3rds the string snapped at the corner, due to the sharp metal of the A frame where previous repairs had been done. To get it the rest of the way we had to use a curved screwdriver to get under the inner lip and pull it over the flange, again whilst pushing in the seal from the outside. (This did score the flange quite a bit so would recommend a plastic tool, at this point though I just wanted it in and as you can see my car isn't exactly concourse.)

What I've learnt from this:
- an MK1 rubber & screen will fit in an MK3 shell.
- Pay the extra and buy a good quality rubber from a trusted seller, .
- Use a hooked plastic tool instead of metal.
- 2+ people make the job so much easier.
- It will take a while to get a 'feel' for it.

It's not the prettiest and it will definitely need some sealant around the A pillars and scuttle, but after 5 years of having a cracked screen held in by duct tape it's nice to have a solid windscreen again. Just happy to have it sorted for now, but plenty more work to go on this Frankenstein of a car!

[Andrew 2.8i]

Thanks for the update, it must be a great relief that you've got it sorted.

Andrew.

[Mc Tool]

I have done a few screens,pretty much as you describe. I have previously used a really thick bit of fishing nylon ...couple of mm thick , and also plastic coated washing line ( took her a week to notice ) and soapy water in a squirt bottle ......lube is king .......and before anyone, absolutely anyone, chimes in , vaseline is no good

[Bug]

What happened in the bottom corner? Did you have to cut it? Or is it just the angle of the photo?

[EightyFive]

What happened in the bottom corner? Did you have to cut it? Or is it just the angle of the photo?

It always looked off before I even put it in the car, and stuck out at an angle like that, it's why I first doubted the quality of the seal. I should be able to trim it and neaten it up atleast. Will definitely need some sealant around it to make it 100% waterproof though I should think.

It seems in and secure though which is the main thing.

[Mc Tool]

What happened in the bottom corner? Did you have to cut it? Or is it just the angle of the photo?

Yeah deffo not right . That seal needs the trim insert and corner pieces to work properly

[EightyFive]

What happened in the bottom corner? Did you have to cut it? Or is it just the angle of the photo?

Yeah deffo not right . That seal needs the trim insert and corner pieces to work properly

I never knew this, I just thought the trim was for aesthetic purposes.