When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Since I've had to park my Mini in the hot sun outside, the rubber moulding at the base of the windshield (windscreen), is deteriorating. It's cracked in several areas, and chucks of it have come off.
Is this moulding part of the seal, or it is something that I can replace myself?
Do I bring it in to a dealer or call a windshield replacement service?
It’s part of the plastic cowl left and right it’s a few screws and clips and pull the wipers.
Oh so it's not an actual seal then? Does it serve a useful function or can I just score it along the edge of the plastic cowl with a knife and remove it. I'm just concerned about leaks in the winter when it rains.
It’s serves to keep the dirt and debris out of the heater plenum that’s below the right cowl. I suppose you could cut it but not sure if it would look ok or keep additional water and dirt out.
Check out the forum vendors, replacements are available at reasonable cost. See realoem.com to figure out the part number for your particular year/model #, then order.
Replaceing these is an easy DIY. Put some blue painter's tape on the windshield to mark where the wipers land. Then flip up the cover at the end of the wiper arm and removed the retaining nut. Wiggle each wiper arm until it comes off. Open the hood and remove the 10mm plastic nuts that hold downt the cowl at each side. Remove the passenger side then driver side, replace and put it all back together.
Yep, most people think that rubber is a separate part and its molded into the top plastic, i would replace both the left and right side. More info here:
