Body - Windshield Stress Cracks Following Replacement

SI M51 04 05

Body Equipment

June 2005

Technical Service

This Service Information bulletin supersedes Service Measure M51 201 03 dated August 2003.

SUBJECT

Windshield exhibits stress cracks after replacement of windshield.

MODEL

R50 (Cooper) and R53 (Cooper S)

2002-2006 Mini Cooper (R50) L4-1.6L (W10) Page 144

CAUSE

Stress placed on windshield before adhesive has cured.

PROCEDURE

1. Please follow the current Repair Instruction 51 31... "Instructions on cementing windshield." It is also important to follow the hot link "Work

steps for removing and installing windshields" at the bottom of this repair instruction. This hot link will refer to Repair Instruction 51 31 000

"Removing and installing windshield."

2. Use either Repair Kit for Cold Bonding Application, Part Number 83 19 0 147 371, or Repair Kit for Hot Bonding Application, Part Number

83 19 0 147 372. The hot bonding process accelerates the adhesive curing time significantly. Please follow the instructions available in the kit.

Notes:

a. Please use Cartridge Nozzle C for a 7 mm wide and 11 mm high adhesive bead application.

b. These parts can be order separately: 83 19 0 152 032 Adhesive, 83 19 0 52 035 Paint Activator, and 83 19 0 152 037 Glass Activator.

c. Please note the expiration ("best before") dates of the Adhesive, Glass and Paint Activators.

3. Perform the windshield installation inside a room with temperature of at least 59 degrees F or 15 degrees C. This is important during winter or

colder temperatures.

Important:

Failure to follow the following instruction may result in a possible water leak, wind noise, or glass breakage.

4. Remove all three old rubber spacers from the bottom left, center, and right positions. Use only two new rubber spacers (round shape, 5 mm

high) from the Repair Kit. Install each of these two new rubber spacers just below the spot welds in the bottom left and right positions. Do not

apply any rubber spacer in the bottom center position. Refer to illustration RX51 0217 under operation 51 31 000 for proper placement of

spacers.

5. The windshield must be fitted within 5 minutes after the adhesive bead has been applied.

6. After the new windshield is installed and during the adhesive curing process:

a. Please use the Anti Stretch Tape, Part Number 99 00 0 005 577. This special tape will secure the windshield and prevent it from

drooping down which can cause water leak, wind noise, or glass breakage to occur.

b. Do not subject the vehicle to unequal loading such as parking with one wheel on a curb, lifting fast cornering movement, or driving over

access ramps or bumps.

c. Do not install any vehicle trim surrounding the windshield, especially the bottom ornamental strip. If this ornamental strip is installed

before the adhesive curing process is completed, a stress crack will occur. Please follow Repair Instruction 51 31 043.

Mercedes Benz