7 replies to this topic

[GThomas112]

Hi all,

The Mini I’m restoring came with both fixed and opening rear quarter windows. I wish to fit the opening ones, but would like to change the glass as the ones fitted to those frames are tinted at present.

I’ve seen that you can buy replacement glass, but wondered if anyone could advise id this is a relatively easy change to do yourself or if it needs to go to a glazing specialist to do?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Ethel]

It should be relatively simple. The frames are held together with tiny screws.

[stuart bowes]

there's a few videos on this on youtube, from what I gather the important / potentially awkward part is finding the right type/thickness rubber of stripping that goes around the edge of the glass as you push the frame on.  And then you trim off the excess afterwards

 

the rest seems to be just disassemble / clean / reassemble and doesn't seem to difficult

 

I'm on the lookout for fixed ones as replacements for my opening ones to be honest OR designing a new opener latch that isn't made of horrid cheap thin tin that slices your finger open everytime you use it.  did mine just end up with crap aftermarket ones or is that normal..  anyway I don't like them and kids will obviously play with them all the time

[Aridgerunner]

I just received new glass and setting tape from Mini Spares. I also have new latches to install. And the hinges (those curved metal things) were rusted so I sand blasted those and actually had to make one new one. They are now painted black.

I now have two problems.

One, the hinges and latches were attached to the frame with semi tubular rivets. Those rivets were chrome plated brass and are not available anywhere. I bought some aluminium semi tubular rivets but they are not strong enough and I don't have the proper tool to compress them anyway. I'm going to try stainless steel pop rivets but will probably have to grind them down inside the frame to make room for the glass. I let you know how that works out.

Second problem. The frames are joined together by a small steel channel. One end of the channel is attached with semi tubular rivet. The other end is attached with an incredibly small screw. I have one good screw. The other screw was destroyed upon removal. I can not find a source for a screw that size. I'll keep searching.

I will be starting the reassembling tomorrow and will post an update.

Edited by Aridgerunner, Today, 11:29 AM.

[mab01uk]

I'm on the lookout for fixed ones as replacements for my opening ones to be honest OR designing a new opener latch that isn't made of horrid cheap thin tin that slices your finger open everytime you use it.  did mine just end up with crap aftermarket ones or is that normal..  anyway I don't like them and kids will obviously play with them all the time

 

The 'horrid cheap thin tin' opener latch appeared on Minis around the later Mk3/Mk 4 era I seem to remember, probably as part of a cost reduction exercise by BL or change of supplier. The cheap 'tin latches' also often slam shut when driving with them open. Before that the latches and frames were made of heavier duty materials and were of better quality. The Mk1 (and I think early Mk2) Minis also had proper chrome/brass piano hinges but the earlier rear side windows are not as tall as the Mk3 onwards so are not interchangeable with later Minis.

As you probably know the fixed windows in more basic (and some export Minis like Japan) have slightly larger glass which fits directly into their rubber sealing strips.

Edited by mab01uk, Today, 01:33 PM.

[stuart bowes]

yeah, annoyingly, wrong size glass.. 

 

well I haven't got that far, a while off yet (although we dragged the interior out of the shed over the weekend and my mum's casting her critical highly skilled embroiders eye over them.. probably going to unpick all, make templates and just make new covers.  she's a whizz, they'll look great.)

 

I digress.. anyway over the next 6months / year or so I'll decide but leaning torwards swapping with someone who has fixed but wants opening.  there was a guy up north who agreed in principle.. I'll have to dig through old messages to remember who that was now!  (Sorry, if you're reading this, i just have bad memory lol)

 

or maybe I'll just fabricate something and 3d print a nice handle .. tbc

Edited by stuart bowes, Today, 02:38 PM.

[drs]

i made a simple jig, before i started decimating.

this is to hold the metal channel frame on the glass with the new rubber.

It just wont want to stay attached while you attach the ends together !!! .

also there is a small channel bracket that holds the 2 ends together.
this thin steel part had rotted and had to be replaced,

i made a new stainless one and thread locked the screws.

Paul

I did all of this to one where the hinge clip had rotted and broken. Replaced with a stainless mad made replacement.

Edited by drs, Today, 05:11 PM.

[Chris1275gt]

I just received new glass and setting tape from Mini Spares. I also have new latches to install. And the hinges (those curved metal things) were rusted so I sand blasted those and actually had to make one new one. They are now painted black.

I now have two problems.

One, the hinges and latches were attached to the frame with semi tubular rivets. Those rivets were chrome plated brass and are not available anywhere. I bought some aluminium semi tubular rivets but they are not strong enough and I don't have the proper tool to compress them anyway. I'm going to try stainless steel pop rivets but will probably have to grind them down inside the frame to make room for the glass. I let you know how that works out.

Second problem. The frames are joined together by a small steel channel. One end of the channel is attached with semi tubular rivet. The other end is attached with an incredibly small screw. I have one good screw. The other screw was destroyed upon removal. I can not find a source for a screw that size. I'll keep searching.

I will be starting the reassembling tomorrow and will post an update.

I found these were perfect for riveting the parts back onto the frame. The heads are slightly larger than the originals but fit within the confines of the frame. But if you’re doing it tomorrow don’t think you’ll have time to get them.

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