Windshield leak help

[mr evil]

So today I get in the car after some rain and I see I have a couple of front window leaks. I have the headliner out to be redone so I can sort of see where the water is getting in.
So a few Q's
1)How does the chrome trim come off? I know you need a tool, but does anyone have a pic handy of what said tool looks like?
2)What is the correct way to insert the tool and work the tabs loose.
3)Is this common? Will I have to pull the entire windshield or can I get some goop in there to seal it up?
4)Is there a way to seal it without removing the chrome or will that just turn out looking like sh*t and leaking again anyways?
5)What is the best stuff to use for sealant?
6)If I bust some clips, does anyone have a few they can sell me?

Thanks

 

[el_sonoma]

Welcome mr evil!
With a "couple" of leaks it would probably be best to Re&I the windshield.
However, since the headliner is already out, you could try resealing all the way across the top from the inside with windshield urethane.

 

[Blake442]

Step 1: Crack your windshield.
Step 2: Call your insurance company.
Step 3: Sit back and watch them take care of it for you.
Step 4: Enjoy your nice new windshield that you probably needed anyways, and can blame somebody else for if it leaks and have them fix it for free.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

While Blake's answer is the most economically viable, it is not an answer everyone can use. The actual answer will depend on why it is leaking. It could be anything from dried up sealant to rust causing the leak. Why it is leaking will determine the best course of action. As for how to remove the trim, I forget exactly how, but know you need a trim tool to do it. You will also need a box of GM windshield trim clips to replace all those white plastic clips that will disintegrate when you remove the trim.

 

[mr evil]

Deductable is $300 for windshield here so that's out. Sealing from the inside makes me wonder if the water will just go somewhere else it's not supposed to.

I'll try to figure it out..if anyone has any more info I'd appreciate it

Thanks

 

[foxtrot]

In the past when I've had leaks in my other G-bodys it was the sealant that had cracked and caused a leak. This is probably the case and you will probably have to dig deeper to fix it. Hopefully it is just a bad seal and not rot. I would first start by removing the trim -- this can be accomplished with a putty knife. Have patience here so you don't break any of the retainer clips. If you do break the retainer clips, gbody parts dot com has replacements. If the putty knife is slid under the trim and then slid sideways, the "cam" will move into the position for removal. You'll want to do this to all of the clips before trying to removing the trim. This definitely isn't the textbook method but I've done this on all of my G-bodys over the years will good success. Once you have the trim removed you can troubleshoot the issue and find the leak. If it is just cracked sealant then you could just use some flowable silicone to repair the leak and not remove the entire windshield. I do know that the textbook method would be to remove the entire windshield and reseal it with a new rope but that a pain in the a$$ and the flowable silicone method will work just fine. Good luck!

 

[Blake442]

...If the putty knife is slid under the trim and then slid sideways, the "cam" will move into the position for removal...

That's how you damage the trim.

Trim removal seems to come up a lot. I had been thinking of making a tutorial thread for this with good pictures, guess I'll finally have to get around to doing it... Keep your eyes peeled for it.

 

[foxtrot]

That's good to know -- I guess that it's never to late to learn the correct method. 🙂

 

[Longroof79]

You can pick up the trim tool at Advance Auto or any good body shop supply.
Eastwood or Harbor Freight should also carry it.
They work well and is a good addition to any tool box.

You could have a rust hole in behind the trim....or the seal is dried up. I'm sure you could apply some butyl caulk to seal to seal it in the meantime.

Make sure the leak isn't from the airbox or body seam/ joint. G-body cars are notorious for leaks.

 

[mr evil]

...If the putty knife is slid under the trim and then slid sideways, the "cam" will move into the position for removal...

That's how you damage the trim.

Trim removal seems to come up a lot. I had been thinking of making a tutorial thread for this with good pictures, guess I'll finally have to get around to doing it... Keep your eyes peeled for it.

Lol, ya fall and winter are coming, so yesterday would be a great time for a tutorial :lol:

I found a couple clips on youtube, showing a couple slightly different tools for the job (on different cars). I'll get the tool for sure cause I don't want to F it up, but because I've not done it and never even seen what the clips look like or how they are orientated, it's still like flying blind to me.
Is the tool like a knife with a hook at the end? or like a Y with a hook at each end?

Thanks for the help guys! 8)