Info on Damaged Windshield Seal Strip?

[Swifty Morgan]

My 2016 Explorer had a piece of rubber flapping around above the windshield, and it tore off and vanished. I am now having leaks. Ford does not list this part as available, so it looks like they decided to abandon customers. Does anyone have a photo of this part as it's supposed to look, and is there somewhere I can buy it? Also, do I really need it, or can I just use flowable silicone?

It may be that water came in because the inadequate moonroof drains were too slow, but I don't know.

 

[peterk9]

A picture of the issue might help.
Is the part shown as #2 in the diagram? I am unable to find it and wonder if it comes with the windshield. I suppose that you could try some type of sealer first to see if the fixes the water intrusion.

Peter

 

[Swifty Morgan]

A picture of the issue might help.
Is the part shown as #2 in the diagram? I am unable to find it and wonder if it comes with the windshield. I suppose that you could try some type of sealer first to see if the fixes the water intrusion.

Peter

It's #2. I don't know exactly what the strip looked like before the problem, so I was hoping I could find a photo of a normal one.

 

[peterk9]

I just did a quick Internet search and the only molding/trim pieces that show up are the side pieces. Nothing I found shows the top. I'd try a sealant or visit an auto glass place and just ask them about it. Good luck.

Peter

 

[J_C]

Is there a diagram shown or linked in this topic? I don't see it.

If it is the top molding on the windshield, it is probable that the entire windshield needs taken out and a new molding put on. Best to contact a local auto glass shop.

I might try a sealant on a much older, low value vehicle, but not so much something with several thousand dollars worth of value left in it.

It may be that water came in because the inadequate moonroof drains were too slow, but I don't know.

Definitely possible that the moonroof drain(s) are clogged, or possibly inadequate for a severe amount of rain like some of Florida recently saw, or a combination of the two. You might see if you can blow very low pressure air through the line or less risky is some people will fish a piece of line like string trimmer line down through all 4 corners to see if any are clogged.

 

[ExPlat]

My 2016 Platinum does not have a special trim 'molding' or 'strip' across the top of the windshield. Take a look at my pictures of the upper passenger side, the windshield is held in place with the black rubber-like windshield surround molding and sealant only.

If you had "a piece of rubber flapping around above the windshield, and it tore off and vanished" then it must have been the the windshield molding itself. As mentioned above, I suspect you need your windshield removed and a new rubber windshield molding installed, with sealant.