Is my windshield gap too big?

[3_97_Sports]

I got my windshield replaced last year, and in the summer, if i go 130 or 140 kmh, the windshield trim would catch wind and blow out, and i would put the piece back in, and it would blow out again not long later.
Today at 100 to 110 kmh in -5c, it blew out again, so I pulled it right off and put it in the trunk.
Is my upper windshield gap too large?
I see no other reason why it would just blow out, I think it should be installed with smaller upper gap to prevent this?
I am not a windshield guy though.
It was speedy glass.
And my girl got her 300 windshield replaced from same people, her upper trim blew out on the way to Edmonton.
Coincidence?

 

[theterminator93]

As long as the rubber gasket is sealed flush against the glass with uniform pressure I'd say it's fine. How does it sit when you pop it back on? It's hard to tell for certain - it might be a bit low but as long as there's no gap... it might be more likely the clips are weak due to whatever methods they used to R&R the trim?

FWIW, angle being different in the pic notwithstanding... this is what mine looked like with the new glass before the trim went back on.

 

[3_97_Sports]

There are no clips, the one side of the gasket has a lip that seats onto the glass, and if you slide it upwards, it just unseats, it is like if the windshield was farther up, the trim would have no room to back itself off, catch wind, and start hammering on my roof. Are there supposed to be some clips in there also?
Edit, I see your clips now, my trim is pure rubber and bendy, I don't think I have those clips, I will look again when I go outside.

 

[theterminator93]

Yeah.

 

[3_97_Sports]

Does your trim have a metal component to it to attach to those clips?

 

[theterminator93]

Yeah the trim is a rib of aluminum with a rubberized coating and then that "gasket" bit that sticks out the front and seals up against the glass. I've never taken the T-bird's front trim off but the Mark's trim also includes the side moldings for the front windshield which rivet onto the A pillar. But I know the rear upper trim on the T-bird attaches with those little spring-loaded clips, and the bottom has circlips (not spring loaded) as well.

 

[3_97_Sports]

Well shit. How to deal with this then?

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

From my junkyards observations, plus my own '97, Thunderbirds had trim with a metal core and rubber coating, seated with clips, at the top of the windshield through '96, same as top of the rear window.

'97s have a rubber only piece with a lip around the windshield edge, plus each side tucks under the metal windshield side trim. Initially I thought my car had this rubber piece because my windshield had been replaced by the previous owner, but after seeing the '97 vs. previous years pattern in the yards, I came to the conclusion that it was a Ford design change. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I don't believe the gap above the upper windshield edge is important. I think it's an issue of missing or deteriorated adhesive. Also, again, both ends of the trim should be tucked under the metal side pieces, effectively preventing it from separating from the car.

 

[3_97_Sports]

What type of adhesive would they use for that trim piece?

 

[3_97_Sports]

From my junkyards observations, plus my own '97, Thunderbirds had trim with a metal core and rubber coating, seated with clips, at the top of the windshield through '96, same as top of the rear window.

'97s have a rubber only piece with a lip around the windshield edge, plus each side tucks under the metal windshield side trim. Initially I thought my car had this rubber piece because my windshield had been replaced by the previous owner, but after seeing the '97 vs. previous years pattern in the yards, I came to the conclusion that it was a Ford design change. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I don't believe the gap above the upper windshield edge is important. I think it's an issue of missing or deteriorated adhesive. Also, again, both ends of the trim should be tucked under the metal side pieces, effectively preventing it from separating from the car.

If anyone would know the differences, it would be you.