preferred windshield rubber

[Bobacuda]

The new seal I used on my windshield is from Roberts.  It leaves a large amount of the pinch-weld area around the windshield exposed.  Since my new windshield cracked in the current Texas heat & the installer is coming back to replace it, I was wondering if those of you that have recently used the Steel windshield rubber like its fit.  Hate to spend the extra money, but I would like the best fitting seal available.

 

Your experiences?

 

Thanks.

[Merle Coggins]

I used Steele and mine fits well and covers the pinch weld perfectly. I believe others have reported issues like yours with Steele, but I can't confirm that.

[NiftyFifty]

Ya, my new Roberts seal leaked from day 1, I slowed it a little with flowable silicone designed for windshield gaskets, but it's still not tall enough IMO, just like yours. I'd say the Steele is the better choice, but yes...more money

[Bobacuda]

Thanks for the input.  I have already paid for the Roberts, but I think I will go ahead and order the Steele.  Based on your input and what I currently have, I think I will the additional expense will simply be a learning experience.

Bob

[Merle Coggins]

I had to seal up my Steele gasket too. I ran a bead of urethane caulk around the perimeter against the pinch weld and that took care of half of it. I then had to inject more into the groove that the glass sits into. Now my windshield doesn't leak. It was a messy job but well worth the outcome.

 

Merle

[B1B Keven]

I got mine from Clesters. No problems.

http://www.clestersauto.com/Pages/DodgeTrucks.aspx

[Plymouthy Adams]

I use Clester's rubber when he has application for my builds...his door and trunk rubber is the correct durometer not to stand proud the panels...I cannot say that is true for the rest of the folks...their rubber is just flat out too hard and does not compress properly making doors/deck lids stand proud of the adjacent panels...making it impossible to work with..

[Brent B3B]

I got mine from Clesters. No problems.

http://www.clestersauto.com/Pages/DodgeTrucks.aspx

hope your right, i just received mine from them last week.... i didn't realize this pinch weld exposure could even be an issue. i was more concerned with the "one piece" center mold.... 

Edited August 4, 2015 by Brent B3B

[B1B Keven]

I took my truck to a local glass shop for the corner window installation. Pain in the butt. 

[John-T-53]

Steele has the windshield rubber with the best fit. They even re-tooled it a couple years ago to cover more of the pinchweld flange after suggestions from forum members.

[wallytoo]

sounds like it's "luck of the draw" no matter where you buy from.  i got mine from roberts, and it fit fine.  i used silicone in the groove and it hasn't leaked since installation several years ago (and the truck is always outside).  the rubber covers the pinch weld better than the photos from the OP.

[Jeff Balazs]

I wonder if the size of the glass we each use has a big effect on this?

When I fit my windshield (new glass) I used a Steele gasket. It was very pliable and went in easy. But I think my glass was cut a bit too small? Seemed like the right side could have fitted better with a slightly larger piece of glass?

I really had to work at it to get it watertight. I tried the special silicon and that was a joke.

 

Jeff

[NiftyFifty]

My biggest leak now is my cowl vent gasket, it's brand new, and fit well, but I've adjusted and adjusted and can't get the front to pull an tighter, so it leaks. I wish I could find a solution to that...annoying when I need to wash the truck

[HanksB3B]

I spoke to Gary when my body shop guy pointed out the exposed pinch welds over a year ago. What is worse is that my split windshield molding needed 1/4" spacers to lift the metal piece off the paint where it meets the roof. Knowing Gary I thought no problem. Well he did not step up to the plate. He didn't and it makes me mad to know he still feels justified selling that (passenger car extrusion) ill fitting anemic extrusion to us truck guys. Come on Gary, I asked nicely the first time. I'd still like you to make good on mine. Utill Gary Roberts gets it right, I'd buy from Steel Rubber. 

Disappointed,

Hank   

P.S. To be fair, I never had a problem with anything I purchased from Roberts with the exception that my interior kit shipped with the 48-50 door panel. As I expected, Gary sent me the 51-53 series. That's the kind of service I've come to expect from Gary.

Edited August 10, 2015 by HanksB3B

[NiftyFifty]

Ya, my centre bar hits too, but I didn't realize until after I gouged my new paint at the bottom...ended up with foam at each end to stop it

[HanksB3B]

Ya, my centre bar hits too, but I didn't realize until after I gouged my new paint at the bottom...ended up with foam at each end to stop it

 

It's really not acceptable after all that time, effort and money spent to have a $5,000 (or whatever) paint job get ruined. It is a big deal even if "It's only a truck"

 

Hank   

Edited August 10, 2015 by HanksB3B

[NiftyFifty]

Well my holes didn't even line up on my bar, no idea why, and their same top and bottom on spacing, so it was the rubber

[Brent B3B]

Bob what did you end up doing? 

tonight I just put in a windshield on one of mine. although I haven't installed the center bar and garnish yet.

The Clesters covered the pinch weld pretty well. (before and after) 

 

not perfect but i'll call it a win. two local glass companies wanted $150. PER SIDE to install.   

Edited August 21, 2015 by Brent B3B

[HanksB3B]

Ttwo local glass companies wanted $150. PER SIDE to install.   

 

What planet are they from ?

 

The windshield is a pice of cake if you know the clothlesline rope trick. The corner windows that's a different story.

 

Hank 

[Bobacuda]

The fit on yours is far superior to the one I got from Roberts.  The lady at Clesters told me they made Roberts, so I bit the bullet and bought the expensive one from Steele.  The glass guys have not been by to install yet (I was gone all week).  I got the two windshield panels, the door windows (installed in frame), the vent windows(installed in frame), the rear window cut new, and the two corner windows installed (except I am putting the doors back together) for $326, tax included.

 

I will take before and after photos and post them when it finally gets done.

 

BTW, need a not-so-well fitting windshield rubber for one or your other trucks?

Edited August 21, 2015 by Bobacuda

[Brent B3B]

What planet are they from ?
Oh Hank, don't get me started on contractors and service in my area! LOL,
 

 
 

BTW, need a not-so-well fitting windshield rubber for one or your other trucks?

I'll pm you on the gasket so this won't be a classified transaction....
I'll be glad to test Jeff's and Wally's theory on " luck of the draw"or "glass cut"
Plus, the one on "Keven" is just as bad as what I took off "Bob"

Edited August 26, 2015 by Brent B3B

[Brent B3B]

so here we are, Bobacuda sent me the gasket that wouldn't cover the pinch welds on the B4. I installed in on a B3 and came up a little better fit, but not as well as the one I bought from Clesters directly. before after

a couple things I did notice 1.) if the gasket from Roberts is the same as from Clesters  it is interesting how the holes didn't line up very well. (as 4mula mentioned) 

2.) the pinch welds were showing more until I put on the inner trim piece, that seemed to suck the inside of the glass into the front of the frame opening, that allowed the gasket to be pushed on the outside a little.

 

 

disclaimer= my glass was not new, I used the same old glass.

 

I was surprised how sloppy the pinch welds were on both trucks I filed them smoother

[Bobacuda]

Installing the interior trim did not help it on my B4B, and my new glass is laminated, cut using the old glass as the pattern.  Glad it worked well enough for you, Brent.

 

My new Steele Rubber windshield gasket fit great  and covered the pinch welds best when compared to the one from Roberts.  However, Steele's cost about twice as much as Roberts or Clesters...

 

Brent, show some photos of Clesters next to the Roberts in the pinch weld areas for comparison.

[NiftyFifty]

All this new glass seems to be incorrect in my opinion, the original stuff is thinner and most places only carry the thicker stuff...had a horrible time with side windows and wondered with my new fronts if they were an issue too once I got the new gasket. Glad you got installed...now for a leak test....I know mine failed

[Brent B3B]

Brent, show some photos of Clesters next to the Roberts in the pinch weld areas for comparison.

will do, might be a few days..... Hey THANKS for the "bling bling"   

 

All this new glass seems to be incorrect in my opinion, the original stuff is thinner and most places only carry the thicker stuff...had a horrible time with side windows and wondered with my new fronts if they were an issue too once I got the new gasket. Glad you got installed...now for a leak test....I know mine failed

I had "new" glass for my the first truck, wish i measured it before i installed it. on this truck i measured 1/4"

i am not 100% convinced thicker glass would compensate for the coverage on that pinch weld lip of the gasket  

 

like JT said was an issue with "Steel" back in the day, i'm thinking the pinch weld lip just isn't deep or wide enough.....but that still doesn't account for the holes being way off 

 

i am wondering if this is a vendor issue between Roberts and Clesters? maybe Clesters is giving Roberts "seconds" or accidently sending them the wrong product