=====Rear Window Seal Replacement=====
====on the 1980 300D (W123)====
===by ""whunter""===
===11/19/08===

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** REAR windshield seal W116, 123, 126 **
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**Notes and warnings...**
~-This job requires 3 - 5 adult size helpers, pliers/razor, Philip's screwdriver, pliers, clothesline, and dish soap.
~-There should be NO cracks in the glass you plan to use, they generally will expand or the glass can stress and explode.
~-The seal should be replaced in a WARM location 70F is recommended, this is for seal flexibility and seating.
~-The body/seal mounting lip MUST be CLEAN, no dirt, old sealer, etc.
~-Your hands should be clean and dry, for maximum gripping ability.
~-The glass REAR windshield mounting lip/seal area MUST be CLEAN, no dirt, old sealer, etc.
~-This rear windshield seal procedure should function for the following chassis: 
W201, W199, W198, W191, W189, W188, W187, W186, W180, W136, W128, W126, W123, W116, W115, W114, W113, W112, W111, W110, W109, W108, W107, W105, W100.
(there will be minor differences on the oldest chassis).
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**Procedure:**

**#1.** remove the right and left rear paneling with cut-out for safety belt.

**#2.** Locate the rear windshield defogger connections middle of left and right C pillar, and disconnect them.
http://www.peachparts.com/diy/w123rearwindowseal/01.jpg

**#3.** From inside the rear passenger compartment, very carefully with pliers, pinch/nibble the old/hard seal, roughly 7/16 wide bites, (if the old seal is still soft you can use a razor knife to slice it away from the body/seal mounting lip.
Note: the inner seal lip must be removed from the top, and sides as close as you can get to the bottom of the windshield. 
http://www.peachparts.com/diy/w123rearwindowseal/02.jpg

http://www.peachparts.com/diy/w123rearwindowseal/03.jpg

**#4.** Place a quilt or other thick cloth padding larger than the glass on the roof, or a totally empty work bench.
http://www.peachparts.com/diy/w123rearwindowseal/04.jpg

**#5.** This step requires at least three people, one in the back seat gently pushing out, two outside catching and lifting out the glass. 
http://www.peachparts.com/diy/w123rearwindowseal/05.jpg

**#6.** Place the rear windshield on the quilt inside surface up.
http://www.peachparts.com/diy/w123rearwindowseal/04.jpg

**#7.** Remove the old seal from glass.

**#8.** Remove the trim from the seal, rolling the seal apart to not damage or deform your trim. 

**#9.** Clean the body/seal mounting lip and glass mounting lip/seal area = no dirt, old sealer, etc.
Note: I prefer cloth rags and a good supply of clean water, no detergents/cleaners.

**#10.** Install the new seal to the glass.

**#11.** Exercising great care, flip over the windshield.

**#12.** Spread dish soap into the trim groove.

**#13.** Spread dish soap on the windshield trim barb.

**#14.** Install the window trim to the new seal.

**#15.** Install clothesline into the body/seal mounting lip groove with four - five inch overlap in the Bottom Center of glass seal, leave several feet of extra cord out beyond the overlap for hand pulling...
http://www.peachparts.com/diy/w123rearwindowseal/06.jpg

http://www.peachparts.com/diy/w123rearwindowseal/07.jpg

**#16.** pull the headliner over the upper lip seal area, and glue in place with trim adhesive.

**#17.** Gently lift the glass/seal/trim assembly.

**#18.** Insert the lower glass seal over the body lip, and gently lean the assembly against the window area.

**#19.** At least two assistants must gently press down and in on the glass while you pull the cords out evenly.
http://www.peachparts.com/diy/w123rearwindowseal/08.jpg

http://www.peachparts.com/diy/w123rearwindowseal/09.jpg

**#20.** The seal lip should roll open as the cord pulls out = allowing the seal to seat to the body.

**#21.** Use instrument cluster hooks to seat the outer perimeter of the seal.
http://www.peachparts.com/diy/w123rearwindowseal/10.jpg

**#22.** gently press/thump any trim areas not fully seated.

**#23.** Install the rear windshield defogger connections middle of left and right C pillar.

**#24.** Install the right and left rear paneling with cut-out for safety belt.


[[http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=238275 Discuss this DIY here.]]

**-""whunter""**
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CategoryDiy