500 Sec dreaded rear screen advice needed.

[Tramp]

Hi, I'm after a bit of advice regarding the rear screen. As it stands it does leak slightly, but doesn't seem so bad and looks as if it hasn't caused any damage. The seal looks in good condition from what I can see.
I've spoken to a reputable independent window guy. He advises to keep the original seal and just re seal it. But my worry is that he was explaining that it's not uncommon for these screens to break. He was saying that he didn't want to be negative, but he says it's quite common. He sounded genuine and has done them before and gave me a good feeling, but I'm worried about breaking the screen so much.

Is this the case?
Is it that he is just really trying to cover himself if it did happen?
Is there anything I can do to help, maybe strip out the interior trim/parcel shelf etc?

Thanks
Jon

 

[BillyW124]

These screens are bonded and would require a steady hand cutting through the mastic and so he is right in what he has said. There is a possibility that it may crack.

There is special wire available that cuts through the mastic but would leave this job to the pro's!

 

[martyz]

I thought it was only the front screen that is bonded.How would you
reuse the seal if it was?.If it's leaking then chances are there will be
rust to deal with,check under the parcel shelf(from the boot) for signs.

 

[Tramp]

Thanks for the response. The rear screen isn't bonded. They have a old type rubber seal. Yeah rust could well be a issue, but from what I can see it seems not too bad. I will replace the panel in the end but I hope by re sealing it it will buy me a couple of years.

 

[BillyW124]

Ah ok, I stand corrected. Thought they were.

 

[Tramp]

No worries mate. Thanks for the advice.

 

[ianrandom]

I had mine taken out and put back in, £100. Breakage is just a risk you take. Thus guy has done a whole lot of Mercs though so that helps.
Absolutely get a new seal. About £80 but you'll see the difference when you get it. Asking for problems to reuse the old one, it will be shrunken.

Mine all looked good but I had sprung a leak. Luckily caught it just in time and minor damage to the lower corner on each side of the window frame only. £300 done with welding and paint, inc screen removal but I supplied the seal.

 

[Tramp]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll get a new seal then.
That seems a good price you paid, can I ask where it was done. I've seen stories on the net of repair to this area costing astronomical amounts.
Jon

 

[jaymanek]

As above, chances are when you remove the screen you will find the rear section will be rusted... this will then need bodyshop attention.

 

[ianrandom]

Yes mine was only very lightly rusted on the lip. That was the SE
The SEC doesn't get off so lightly, and mine definitely hasn't. It's a shocker under there and severely rotted. A previous owner tried to slow it down by plastering the whole area with black tar-like stuff. I took it to the same guy who is cheap and he estimates around a grand to repair.

I'll get it done as I'm keeping the car, but that's what you have to bear in mind.
Yours might not be so bad, you might get off lightly like I did with the SE, can you see rust up through the holes in the boot ceiling?

 

[jaymanek]

Shouldnt really cost quite £1000.. any bodyshop will do the welding for £2-300 and paint it up..

The panel is (was when I checked) still available from MB so its just a case of cutting out and welding in.

The most difficult part is removal and refit of the screen.

 

[Tramp]

Thanks for the advice. £1000 was the ball park figure I have seen mentioned a few times. That's why I was gonna go the resealing route for now. Yeah rust is visible but doesn't look too bad.............. hopefully.
The thing that is worrying me is that they made it sound almost more than likely that it would break.

 

[BillyW124]

If i'm honest that doesn't look like rust. That looks like factory cavity wax in that hole..

 

[ianrandom]

Yes possibly just the wax. It doesn't look bad whatever, I'd get that window out and do it properly while it's cheap to do

 

[ianrandom]

Oh and you might want to find a guy that does a lot of MB if they are saying that about the screen.

 

[Tramp]

Thanks for all the advice guys.
Right I've got a new seal on order from MB. Spoke to my local independent MB place twice and they don't seem to phone back about it, so I'm gonna get the independent guy to come and hopefully just re seal it.
This morning I decided to take the rear interior out to make it easier for them. After removing the rear seats I found some water sitting under the rear O/S seat. I can't see any evidence ad to where the water has come from. I've sorted the drains by the front windscreen recently.
Would this water be coming from the rear screen seal or somewhere else?

 

[ianrandom]

Probably yeah, classic rear screen leakage.
I would guess that yours has done the same as mine and rusted the lip a little, which means the water can travel in through the rusty bit now.
If you catch it now it'll be so much cheaper.

If you are lucky it'll be minor and you could do a quick removal of the rusty bits and stick some treatment on it yourself.

 

[horatio]

I had a very similar leak with the 190 a few years ago.

I just bought a new seal and called out a local auto glazier to fit. They only charged about £60 IIRC and did a good job.

 

[Tramp]

Great that sounds promising. £100 for the seal, £100 for the removal and refit.
It's all dried out now and under cover.
I'll report back when the screen is out. Thanks again for all the help.
Jon