Small modifications for windshield cowl trim piece

[Qashqai]

I wanted to share my small modifications with you.

For a long time, the irregularities on the windshield bottom plastic trim piece made me mad. It is hard plastic and it doesn't touch the glass properly. Especially during fall, the leaves and seeds from the trees fall between the trim and windshield. It looks cheap and bad. I was looking for a solution until I saw the 2013 RAV4. They add a soft gasket between the trim piece and the windshield (a rule of thumb from my design studio lectures back in university: when two materials contact, it requires a third material. Example: The skirting that covers the floor and wall).

Here you can see the irregular plastic trim (sorry for the quality of the pics)



When I remove the trim (following the FSM section WW), as I was expecting, it was dirty and I found small stones and wood pieces.



There were two strips of soft material at the end of the grove of the trim. The bottom edge of the windshield touches that soft part. For some reason they selected that material from a water absorbing one. It soaks water and contracts.



Usual dirt and stuff



cleaning the trim



I found a rubber gasket from a company called 80/20 Inc. (http://www.8020.net/)

Part number 2116 (http://stores.gawirth.net/-strse-53/80- ... Detail.bok)

Then after cleaning and installing the trim piece back, I started to insert the rubber.







....and here is the result. I am happy



Note: I am not sure how this material performs under extreme Canadian winter (will it shrink? crack? harden?) or extreme summer heats (expand? soften?) or UV exposure (crack?). Although it is tucked between two hard surfaces, I have no idea how it will perform at highway speeds...we will see.

And a bonus application:

The licence plate holder was scratching the bumper.



Same gasket, same procedure. Loosen the plate holder, tuck the gasket and tighten it back:



same results...and same concerns as I mentioned above:

[Rogue One]

Excellent DIY post!

Your mention of the gasket on the RAV4 shows why Nissan will always be a 2nd rate car company. Saving a buck or two by omitting a piece of rubber trim, or using lower grade brakes that wear out quicker may help your bottom line, but the consumer remembers these things when they're ready to replace their ride.

[ImStricken06]

look at you!! awesome work man! he disappears for a few months, and then comes back with a bang! hahaha GREAT WORK!

[dolbydj]

Great post! I have noticed a mess of leaves in many of my cars over the years. Maybe plasti dip can be used here as a spray type gasket. I also thought of using it at the bottom of the side sills to prevent debris damage.

[FarNorthGal]

That is a great idea. Man. I wish I found the forum earlier..

[darylzero]

Cool, nice post Qashqai! pic's are perfect would of had no idea what you were talking about lol.

It's amazing that little rubber around the license plate makes it looks soo much better. great post

[TrevorK]

Excellent DIY post!

Your mention of the gasket on the RAV4 shows why Nissan will always be a 2nd rate car company. Saving a buck or two by omitting a piece of rubber trim, or using lower grade brakes that wear out quicker may help your bottom line, but the consumer remembers these things when they're ready to replace their ride.

I do not think most consumers notice the little things and that is why they are omitted. Most people are not passionate about their vehicles; a vehicle is to get from point a to point b. With these individuals it does not matter, or is not noticeable, that an engine is slightly louder or leaves are getting trapped somewhere. Using lower grade parts in an area such as brakes is not an issue, most people expect they have to replace brakes at some point in time and will only do so once through the course of their ownership anyways.

You can be certain that every corner cut is intentional with a cost analysis performed. Whether it be a Toyota or Nissan.