Car Fix DIY Videos

http://honda-tech.com/how-tos is the leading Honda Accord and Civic resource for technical DIY guides. An annoying rattling noise—or rain water seeping through the windshield gaps—is an indication of a worn-out molding, and it needs to be replaced. For the full step-by-step article, please visit: http://www.honda-tech.com/how-tos/a/honda-how-to-replace-windshield-molding-375730

The molding is a rubber strip that protects the edges of the windshield from constant exposure to the sun or rain. This video will outline the steps needed to replace your Honda’s windshield molding.

Replacing the window molding on your Honda can take twenty to thirty minutes of your time. It’s an easy task and will not require any previous repair experience. The cost of doing this yourself is just twenty-five dollars, whereas a pro could charge you double that amount.

The tools you’ll need for this job are: a 3/8 inch drive socket, ratchet, a pry tool, Honda compatible windshield molding, painters tape, pliers, cold knife, urethane glue, liquid glue dispenser, and latex gloves,

Step 1 – Remove Wiper Blades

Remove the protective cap over the bolt.

Remove the bolt with a 3/8” drive socket.

Take off the windshield wipers by pushing down on the wiper blade arm where the joint is to loosen it.

Step 2 – Remove the Side Trimming

Slide the pry tool under the trimming and pry it off from the top to the bottom. There are four clips that need to be undone like this one.

Step 3 – Remove the Top Molding

Using a pinch tool such as pliers, pinch the end of the molding and lift it up and away.

Once the end is up you can pull the rest away with your hand.

Step 4 – Remove the Bottom Plastic Cover

There are three clips you need to remove in order to remove the bottom plastic cover. Pop them up and out with the pry tool.

Step 5 – Remove the Bottom Windshield Clips

Close the hood and use the pry tool to pry off the clips below the windshield.

Step 6 – Remove the Molding

Push the cold knife into the urethane that is in between the windshield and the body pinch.

Start above the rearview mirror or as far as your arms can stretch. Then repeat from the other side and the bottom until the windshield has been released.

Step 7 – Remove the Windshield

Kneeling on the seats, carefully push the windshield out until it’s away from the frame.

Then, from outside the vehicle, take it away and gently set it aside in a safe area.

Step 8 – Lay Down Fresh Urethane

Lay a bead down of 3/16th to a quarter inch of urethane all the way around the windshield frame.

Step 9 – Install the Windshield

With an able bodied assistant, put on gloves to avoid fingerprints and carefully lay the windshield into the frame.
Step 10 – Secure the Windshield

Take the tape and tear off pieces to secure the windshield in place while the urethane glue dries. It should take at minimum five minutes to dry.

Step 11 – Install the Bottom Plastic Cover

Open the hood and put the bottom plastic cover pieces back into place. Make sure the clips fit in with the windshield.

Step 12 – Install the Windshield Wipers

Close the hood and take a wiper arm, look closely for a “DR” or “PA”. This will clue you in if the wiper arm you’re holding is for the driver’s or passenger’s side. If they do not, then the longer wiper blade of the two is for the driver’s side.

Tighten the bolts up on the windshield wiper arms. Then put the bolt caps back on.

Step 13 – Install the Windshield Molding

Place one end of the new windshield molding into the groove and firmly push it in. Work your way around the windshield trim. Relocate each clip from under the new molding and lock them back into place to completely secure the molding.

Check the time on the urethane glue for safe driving time.
This is different from just drying time since speed and momentum can have a negative effect on the glue if it has not had sufficient time to dry yet.

With your fresh molding you’ll not only improve the look of your Honda, but you’ll also be ready for whatever the weather throws at you in your vehicle.