I have done this a number of times, and there is no silicone used if it's done correctly. In fact, if I see silicone around the sunroof seals I stay away, because it means that someone who didn't know what they were doing attempted to replace the seals.
If the seals are not new, or hardened from age, get new ones, as they will never fit correctly. If they are still flexible, get some water soluble lubricant as Russ suggests and use it to get the piece "lubed up" before installation. The corners are the toughest, are are where you usually see people "cheating" with silicone. Once you get the seals installed correctly and they're not being pushed out of the groove by the sunroof, leave it closed for several days and ideally get it in a sunny spot so the seals get "set" in position. One of the reasons you see them poorly fitted is because the installer will put them in then the sunroof gets used immediately after - if they're not lubed with something, the sunroof edges will stick or grab at the rubber and it pulls the seals out of their grooves. I have used talcum powder as a lube, too. You just need something that will allow the sunroof bits that rub up against the seals to slide easily. Dan On Aug 26, 2012, at 12:03 AM, andrew strasfogel wrote: > The body shop did a half assed job installing a new front sunroof seal > when they repainted my 1985 300TD. I can't complain tho, because they > didn't charge me either. The seal doesn't grip tight against the > vertical metal edge because the rubber wasn't properly inserted into > the channel. I need to pull it off and do it again the right way by > myself. There is a trick to this job that involves the use of > silicone. Anyone out there BTDT? > > TIA, > > Andrew > > 1983 300GD1985 300TD > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
