My windshield seal is old and has cracked and separated from the roof somewhat, causing water leaks into the driver side footwells. For now, I treated the gap with a Silicone II sealer to minimize rain-related leaks, but it's only a temporary solution. Ultimately, I will need to have that seal replaced.

I searched the forum about this, and I found a few threads about this, but my questions is somewhat different. I have NO experience whatsoever replacing windshields or their seals on ANY cars. I would only give the car to an MB dealer to have this job done to make sure they put all the OEM materials, but I'm sure it will be expensive... What would be my chances of success if I decided to undertake this job myself? What sort of skill is necessary for this?

I like this question.
Recently I replaced my rear window seal, having never done a window seal on any car.

In my favor I had:
MB manual for body that explained removing and installing window.
Dry clean place to work on car inside.
All the time I needed (spent a week on the whole thing going really slow).
The willingness to take it to a local window shop in case I failed.
A spare replacment window from a donor in case mine broke.

I think a first-timer can do this, how else can you learn ?

You don't mention how much other stuff you do yourself.
It takes a can-do attitude.

For your own sake, check out a local window installer, ask if they have experience with MB.
I found a local shop that was okay with replaceing the seal for around $100 labor only.
Actually quite a deal.
I did not use the MB factory seal, a billion members here will certainly
chastise me for that. Whatever.

I ended up doing it myself. Completely removed window alone.
Used teenage son to help install.

Another member only a week later did front window. Must have been his first time.
It came out okay.

If you have the time, patience, place to work uninterrupted, go for it.

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Good point - I should qualify my other skills and working conditions. I haven't worked on the Mercedes yet because I just got it, but on my '87 Saab, I replaced valve cover gasket, rebuilt the distributor and replaced distributor oil seal, adjusted timing, replaced battery, replaced battery cable, removed and repaired starter, replaced front shocks, replaced balljoints, replaced headlight, and maybe a couple other jobs I might be forgetting.

Working conditions... I live in an apartment complex, where I do not have a garage or a driveway, just a public parking lot and a nice tree I am therefore at the mercy of the elements. If it's dry - I have dry conditions. If it rains - I don't. I only really have one day for the glass job because I don't want the car to sit without a glass overnight and I actually need the car on a regular basis. I can get my dad or my friend to help me where two more hands are needed. Generally, I work with barebone tools (whatever I accumulated from Saab work, which isn't that much) and try to buy whatever I need for a particular job that I don't have.

Do you think it can be done for the first time under those conditions, or would I be in too much of a rush?

The front glass is easier than the back glass. The worst senario is you break the glass , but a beginner should have little problem with this project - get a helper if you are not used to working with large, bulky things that break. It should not take you more than 2 hours to complete the task

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Before you just change the seal, take a drive toward the sun at the end or the beginning of the day and see how badly pitted it is. Since you just got the car, it would be a shame to do the seal and find out a week later that it would have made sense to put in a new pit free windshield. There a couple of states that will replace your windshield with no deductible if it is pitted badly.

Len

Installing a windshield (which is what you will be doing to install the seal) is a whole lot harder than a rear window. They are more curved and easy to break. I've done a number of rubber-held rear windows, but would probably defer a windshield to a professional, and expect to pay enough for him to replace a broken piece of glass now and then. And have him promise to replace it if he did break it, of course.

If you do this yourself, be sure to cut the old seal to remove the glass. Normally, you don't try to remove the glass from the seal leaving both intact. You destroy the part that you don't want to save.

Suction cups would probably be a good idea. If the front windsheild is anything like the rear it will require some force to push it out. Get a helper to sit inside the car and push as you watch/pull/get ready to catch!

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There are two "special tools" for this job cited in the MB Service Manual:

- a screw-driver type tool with an end piece that looks like a wedge, which I would guess is for prying the glass loose

- a tool with an L-shaped end, which I guess is for removing some of that butyl tape when it gets softer to get access to the glass

Can these be bought at Home Depot or Lowe's or Ace's or whatever? They can probably be done without, but anything that would make the job easier - I'll take it.

As you have no doubt heard. Use no metal tools at all for this work. Period.

I found the small plastic tire tools for a bicycle (bought at Target for $3)
to be the most useful. In addition I had some plastic spatula/putty knives.
We ended up with a rubber mallet for final seating.

The only metal tool was a razor knife I used to cut away the inside of
the old seal to make removal of window easier.

Some good suggestions found on the board were old toothbrush handles
and fashioning a wedge out of wood.

I don't know if this was made clear or not - window trim that is in the rubber surrounding the windshield is removed and installed with the window out of the car.
Remove the window, remove the trim, remove the old seal.
Install the new seal around the glass, install the trim, install the window.

__________________
80 300D 340K Owned 30 yrs
83 300SD 440K Owned 9 yrs - Daily Driver 150mi/day
02 Z71 Suburban 117,000
15 Toyota Prius 2600 miles
00 Harley Sportster 24k
09 Yamaha R6
03 Ninja 250

For TX76513, I sent you a pm with my email address. I am hoping that you will send me those windshield replacement instructions for the 126.

Thanks,
Bruce Bonds

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