Originally Posted by 87tdwagen

It would be helpful if you detailed the year and model of your car as there are several differnt approaches for windshield replacement. The older models <123 usually have a rubber gasket and a sealing strip whihc needs to be pressed into a U in the gasket tightening the set-up and creating the seal around bot the glass and sheet metal. Later style cars 124+ for example, the windshield is glued into place and the outer seal is more of a trim component than an actual seal per se. The glued windshield should be replaced by knowledgable shops otherwise you'll end up with a mess of glass all over the place once it breaks on removal. These require special tools and pre-heating usually to help soften the glue while it is cut away with a fine piano wire or the such.

Regards