Windshield / moldings ???

[TJP440]

As I'm moving along I noticed a substantial gap 3/8" ? between the windshield cowl molding and A pillar moldings ( I hate plastic crap) I'm assuming either the cowl edges or A pillar moldings have shrunk.
1st Question is this an issue for water or debris collecting in the cowl?
2nd Question, Is there a fix for this other than buying new parts?
3rd Question, If not which of the 3 parts has likely shrunk? let me guess all
4th How are the A pillar moldings attached?
TIA

 

[Wild one]

As I'm moving along I noticed a substantial gap 3/8" ? between the windshield cowl molding and A pillar moldings ( I hate plastic crap) I'm assuming either the cowl edges or A pillar moldings have shrunk.
1st Question is this an issue for water or debris collecting in the cowl?
2nd Question, Is there a fix for this other than buying new parts?
3rd Question, If not which of the 3 parts has likely shrunk? let me guess all
4th How are the A pillar moldings attached?
TIA

See my post on your other thread,pics would help.

 

[TJP440]

I'll get some pic's and post them later
Thanks

 

[TJP440]

here are pic's of the R side, the L is pretty much the same. Any ideas on this?
TIA

 

[TJP440]

Does anyone know how the moldings attach?
Can they be slid down to close the gap?

My concern is debris getting in there, falling to the bottom (wherever that is) getting trapped and rusting like the tank mounts.

 

[Daw14]

everything expands and contracts with temperature changes, and the truck also flexes on bumpy, twisted terrain. It needs a little room to move ,so the truck isn’t damaged from contact with itself .

Remember the commercial with ford and dodge from a few year back where they compare their flexibility against each other , there has to be some space between body parts and trim parts so they do not contact and cause damage .

 

[Wild one]

Does anyone know how the moldings attach?
Can they be slid down to close the gap?

My concern is debris getting in there, falling to the bottom (wherever that is) getting trapped and rusting like the tank mounts.

Google works wonders,lol
If you don't know how something comes apart,you can usually find a video showing how to take it apart.

18 Ram 1500 Side Molding Removal

Remove the side moldings on the 2018 Ram 1500 and others without damaging them. This also works on the Chrysler 300 which has the same body clips. #autoglas...

www.youtube.com

 

[TJP440]

Wild One YOU Rock !!!! thank you very much. I owe you at least a case of cheap beer at this point ( remember I'm a tight ass)
For some reason I hadn't thought to check YouTube
The biggest problem one usually faces is knowing how things are attached, clipped, held in place etc. Years ago cruising the junkyards was a good place to find the answers.
I was glad to see the guy wasn't using the glass as a leverage point as it's a quick way to crack the windshield.
The retaining clips are very similar to what has been used since the 50/ 60's to retain windshield trim although these are double sided. I'll attach some pic's of the clips and 2 versions of the tools used to remove them. I'm thinking they'll work on these as well.
thank you again

 

[Hardracer]

Little late to the conversation but that sure looks like my 2010 model..(without searching yours)...the top pic I believe(on the bottom part) is like a rubbery foam that's attached to the whole windshield cowl thing...the wipers go through it and is screwed inside the engine compartment firewall i believe and that stupid piece of plastic is pricey.ask me how I know(im not replacing it)...that rubbery foamy piece on mine has/was shrunken like your pic...I got so pissed and ripped it off both sides...your 2nd pic I'm gonna assume is the top of the window(i now blew it up and read it)..cant really comment on that part so I may very well be way off in my view of this subject.i do find it hard to believe that piece would shrink that much or even move though.anything possible I guess.
I'm gonna go check mine again at lunch.

Edit..I had a look at mine...the side top moldings are just as yours(seems like)..cant see those sliding up as solid as they feel..my foamy crap definitely shrunk dryrotted when I ripped them off..got to flapping in the wind while driving...went nutz for a couple weeks(about a month ago) trying to figure out what was making a faint fluttering tapping sound at 80+mph.

 

[TJP440]

Little late to the conversation but that sure looks like my 2010 model..(without searching yours)...the top pic I believe(on the bottom part) is like a rubbery foam that's attached to the whole windshield cowl thing...the wipers go through it and is screwed inside the engine compartment firewall i believe and that stupid piece of plastic is pricey.ask me how I know(im not replacing it)...that rubbery foamy piece on mine has/was shrunken like your pic...I got so pissed and ripped it off both sides...your 2nd pic I'm gonna assume is the top of the window(i now blew it up and read it)..cant really comment on that part so I may very well be way off in my view of this subject.i do find it hard to believe that piece would shrink that much or even move though.anything possible I guess.
I'm gonna go check mine again at lunch.

Edit..I had a look at mine...the side top moldings are just as yours(seems like)..cant see those sliding up as solid as they feel..my foamy crap definitely shrunk dryrotted when I ripped them off..got to flapping in the wind while driving...went nutz for a couple weeks(about a month ago) trying to figure out what was making a faint fluttering tapping sound at 80+mph.

I'm going to try and make a spacer to fill the gap out of ABS or closed cell foam both match the appearance. I'll post back when I get to it

 

[KevsRam23]

Hi, super late to thread but I just had the same thing on my 2023 classic 1500. And the dealership just slide it back down for me during my warranty check oil change

And said it won’t cause any long term issue but like other have said it made to move as the truck moves

 

[Daw14]

Hi, super late to thread but I just had the same thing on my 2023 classic 1500. And the dealership just slide it back down for me during my warranty check oil change

And said it won’t cause any long term issue but like other have said it made to move as the truck moves

 

[Daw14]

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View attachment 572623View attachment 572624View attachment 572626

These clips are available from Geno’s garage , about $5.50 each . Four on each side . You can see the witness marks on the moulding , line up the circles. These do not appear to move once the moulding is fastened.
The hole for the rivet is about flush with the windshield, so it looks pretty tight to squeeze a rivet gun , to get er done.
So after thinking for a few days , I located rivet guns at harbor freight,for $ 4.99.
I bought two ,with the plan to put the belt sander to the tip where rivet inserts.

I looks like this will allow it to get the angle better , so it sits flush.
I will post pics and other information as soon as I have all the pieces.
I painted the new clips to help with future rust issues.

 

[TJP440]

Got sidetracked on the spacer but still on my list
Do keep us posted Was also going to mention that if needed one can use a spacer on the rivet "NAIL" to keep the gun away from the glass while spreading the rivet Hope that makes sense.

 

[Daw14]

Got sidetracked on the spacer but still on my list
Do keep us posted Was also going to mention that if needed one can use a spacer on the rivet "NAIL" to keep the gun away from the glass while spreading the rivet Hope that makes sense.

I’m familiar with that method ,but am not sure space will allow for that.
I am prepared to make angled shims ,that will fit in the small area.
When a seen the cheap rivet guns , I thought it might be a shot.
I will follow up when finished.

 

[TJP440]

My lower cowl piece was in decent shape but getting a few small gaps at the w/s. I removed it a added a piece of angled T shaped weather strip to it. What i noted was that when reinstalling the cowl piece the holes were quite a bit larger than the push in christmas tree type fastener. This would allow one to push the entire cowl section towards the windshield closing the gap substantially. Unfortunately it eventually slips back. A nut & bolt or other type of fastener (plastic preferably) would likely hold it in place..
When and if I have time to get back to this I'll update. But thought I would mention it for rothers

 

[Jeepwalker]

Funny how those look a lot like GM trim clips (in concept) from the 60's-90's!

I would try to pull/push the seal down some first. Pull down and push from the top at the same time. Run you upper hand down the molding to work it down (as you pull). You don't have to go far. If you get it, then good enough, leave it be. If not, then remove/reposition as shown.

I would suggest wrapping some electrical tape around said tool. A nick at the outer edge of the glass can lead to a crack a yr (or yrs) later.

 

[TJP440]

Funny how those look a lot like GM trim clips (in concept) from the 60's-90's!

I would try to pull/push the seal down some first. Pull down and push from the top at the same time. Run you upper hand down the molding to work it down (as you pull). You don't have to go far. If you get it, then good enough, leave it be. If not, then remove/reposition as shown.

I would suggest wrapping some electrical tape around said tool. A nick at the outer edge of the glass can lead to a crack a yr (or yrs) later.

Thought this might be humorous to some?

Made think of my D/A move15years or so back.
I was trying to remove the WS Wiper off a customers 70 CASHMARO. The lock tab was released but it was cocked. And yes i was using the correct tool. After fighting with it for a bit, with my infinite wisdom I thought I'll just use a Brake spoon (angled tool) to coax the low side up. Placing a shop towel under said tool I applied the slightest amount of pressure and
"CRACK" goes the windshield
Funny how 1/2 of my brain was thinking BAD IDEA and the other 1/2 was saying GO FOR IT, IT'LL BE OK
Fortunately it was a replacement windshield and not a date coded original.
The 1st replacement had a wave? that distorted the drivers vision right at eye level. So I call the glass company I was using at the time and the J/O they sent out goes after the lower seal with a 2ft? LONG knife. I said perhaps we should cover the dashboard ? NAHH I do this all the time. About 5 seconds later
The owner refused to pay for the damage.
So now I have to match and repaint the top of the dash and find another shop that can do the older cars and is mobile .
I have a few more intellectual moves made over the years but those can wait for another day

 

[Jeepwalker]

Thought this might be humorous to some? ....I have a few more intellectual moves made over the years but those can wait for another..

I could write a book on 'intellectual moves'! I bet a lot of guys here could

 

[BlownGP]

Bringing this back up.

Anybody know the part numbers for the OEM moldings?

There's some aftermarket ones on ebay, but I doubt they fit good.
Not sure if I need the metal brackets but I for sure need a molding.

Thanks

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