Screen not fitting since new scuttle fitted
Discussion
Hello,
Spent a good few hours trying to fit my screen, and its just not going in. Complete new front end has been fitted even new scuttle. When the new scuttle was fitted I made sure it all lined up with the pillar and inner dash nice. Just had a quick measure up and the opening in the midddle is 400mm to the right is 390mm and to the left is 395mm. The main problem I have is fitting the screen in the top right.
Do you think shaving a bit off with a grinder on the bottom right will solve the problem?
Cheers
Ian
Spent a good few hours trying to fit my screen, and its just not going in. Complete new front end has been fitted even new scuttle. When the new scuttle was fitted I made sure it all lined up with the pillar and inner dash nice. Just had a quick measure up and the opening in the midddle is 400mm to the right is 390mm and to the left is 395mm. The main problem I have is fitting the screen in the top right.
Do you think shaving a bit off with a grinder on the bottom right will solve the problem?
Cheers
Ian
Probably the best way is to place the screen in the aperture without the glazing rubber (need at least one extra pair of hands) and see how the perimeter shape matches up with the glass shape; then trim the lip accordingly. Just amtching the dimensions will not necessarily guarantee that the shape of the aperture is correct.
In my experience fitting a new screen is not an easy job at the best of times.
I'd make sure I'd tried everything before removing metal.
Have you warmed the rubber seal up in a bucket of hot water first? Maybe even leave the car out in the sun too. Then have a spray bottle of diluted car shampoo to use as a lubricant. Isn't there a method of fitting a screen that uses a piece of strong, thin cord placed inside the outer groove of the seal that is pulled out as you push the screen into the aperture.
I'd make sure I'd tried everything before removing metal.
Have you warmed the rubber seal up in a bucket of hot water first? Maybe even leave the car out in the sun too. Then have a spray bottle of diluted car shampoo to use as a lubricant. Isn't there a method of fitting a screen that uses a piece of strong, thin cord placed inside the outer groove of the seal that is pulled out as you push the screen into the aperture.
Pooky67 said:
Isn't there a method of fitting a screen that uses a piece of strong, thin cord placed inside the outer groove of the seal that is pulled out as you push the screen into the aperture.
Doesn't apply to a classic Mini. The screen is a simple lip in job; some diluted washing up liquid will help but a 5mm height variance from side to side is significant.OP, if you want someone to have a look at it for you, we have four branches in Devon so shouldn't be too far from you.
I've done a few mini screens in the past and never had this problem. Tried a new rubber and the original but still wouldn't work. Also the bucket of water and soapy water trick didn't work. Even tried stringing it. Will try the screen in without the rubber and go from there. Only two screwdriver scratches so far :-(
Is it a replacement screen? If so, I suggest you check that the screen is the right shape and size. We had a mini screen (to replace one with a bad chip) which we tried to fit at home but had a similar problem as you describe. When we measured it we could see that it was a different shape and size to the old one we had taken out. The supplier doubted that the new screen was the culprit for our woes but when presented back to them and measured at their premises against another screen it confirmed that the screen was wrong. Swapped it for a new one and it fitted in the aperture easily.
I just went to my workshop and measured an original 1964 shell which has not had any work done on roof line or scuttle panel and it measures 413 mm right across the full width.
As far as I'm aware that dimension never changed and from memory a 1275 MPI I did a couple of years ago measured 415 mm.
As far as I'm aware that dimension never changed and from memory a 1275 MPI I did a couple of years ago measured 415 mm.
Guys, just about to change the screen in my sons MPI. Watched a vid on the net, which shows using loads of soapy water to lubricate the screen. The place I got the screen from insisted on selling me some sealant for the top and bottom of the rubber. So if you put sealant in, how can you use soapy water, surely the two will conflict! Or do you only need sealant on the the rubber groove that fits the body and not the glass?
530dTPhil said:
Doesn't apply to a classic Mini. The screen is a simple lip in job; some diluted washing up liquid will help but a 5mm height variance from side to side is significant.
OP, if you want someone to have a look at it for you, we have four branches in Devon so shouldn't be too far from you.
I've used the string method to fit windscreens to minis many times in the past (usually binder twine). It works on pretty much any screen that uses a rubber surround with a filler strip to lock things in place.OP, if you want someone to have a look at it for you, we have four branches in Devon so shouldn't be too far from you.
casbar said:
Guys, just about to change the screen in my sons MPI. Watched a vid on the net, which shows using loads of soapy water to lubricate the screen. The place I got the screen from insisted on selling me some sealant for the top and bottom of the rubber. So if you put sealant in, how can you use soapy water, surely the two will conflict! Or do you only need sealant on the the rubber groove that fits the body and not the glass?
Once the screen is in, but before you put in the filler strip, run the sealant around between the rubber seal and the body and the rubber seal and the glass (on the outside of the car!) When you then put in the filler strip, excess sealant will be squeezed out and can be removed.GTRMikie said:
Once the screen is in, but before you put in the filler strip, run the sealant around between the rubber seal and the body and the rubber seal and the glass (on the outside of the car!) When you then put in the filler strip, excess sealant will be squeezed out and can be removed.
Cheers 
ive fitted hundreds of screens into minis, from concourse cooper s's to rolled race cars!
I never use soapy water, soap has salt in it which is bad, and it tends to just slither away from the seal, you end up slopping so much on to try and do the job that you just soak yourself and the car.
WD40 is far better, just use the red straw to spray a bit into the seal, fit the screen and wipe the excess of with a cloth, it doesn't damage the paint or the rubber. once the seal is fitted, spray a bit into the slot where the locking key goes and the key will slide in a treat with the special fitting tool.
with a new seal there should be no need for sticky sealer as the seal will settle down into the corners, if, after a few days you think it might need a little, its easy to remove the locking key, squirt a bit in and refit the key - doing it this way will cut down on the mess.
screens are easy! just don't be scared of them!
I never use soapy water, soap has salt in it which is bad, and it tends to just slither away from the seal, you end up slopping so much on to try and do the job that you just soak yourself and the car.
WD40 is far better, just use the red straw to spray a bit into the seal, fit the screen and wipe the excess of with a cloth, it doesn't damage the paint or the rubber. once the seal is fitted, spray a bit into the slot where the locking key goes and the key will slide in a treat with the special fitting tool.
with a new seal there should be no need for sticky sealer as the seal will settle down into the corners, if, after a few days you think it might need a little, its easy to remove the locking key, squirt a bit in and refit the key - doing it this way will cut down on the mess.
screens are easy! just don't be scared of them!
guru_1071 said:
ive fitted hundreds of screens into minis, from concourse cooper s's to rolled race cars!
I never use soapy water, soap has salt in it which is bad, and it tends to just slither away from the seal, you end up slopping so much on to try and do the job that you just soak yourself and the car.
WD40 is far better, just use the red straw to spray a bit into the seal, fit the screen and wipe the excess of with a cloth, it doesn't damage the paint or the rubber. once the seal is fitted, spray a bit into the slot where the locking key goes and the key will slide in a treat with the special fitting tool.
with a new seal there should be no need for sticky sealer as the seal will settle down into the corners, if, after a few days you think it might need a little, its easy to remove the locking key, squirt a bit in and refit the key - doing it this way will cut down on the mess.
screens are easy! just don't be scared of them!
Thanks a lot your your advice, think I will try the WD40 methodI never use soapy water, soap has salt in it which is bad, and it tends to just slither away from the seal, you end up slopping so much on to try and do the job that you just soak yourself and the car.
WD40 is far better, just use the red straw to spray a bit into the seal, fit the screen and wipe the excess of with a cloth, it doesn't damage the paint or the rubber. once the seal is fitted, spray a bit into the slot where the locking key goes and the key will slide in a treat with the special fitting tool.
with a new seal there should be no need for sticky sealer as the seal will settle down into the corners, if, after a few days you think it might need a little, its easy to remove the locking key, squirt a bit in and refit the key - doing it this way will cut down on the mess.
screens are easy! just don't be scared of them!
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