I assume you mean around the glass. If so you are best to remove the glass to do so and replace with a new rubber molding. I have recently removed my glass from the rear hatch, and given that the rubber surround looked OK prior to removal it probably wouldn't go back in the same / not like a new piece should. The glass needs to be lifted at the corners to re install the edge pieces. So I would also highly recommend getting a professional to remove the glass, for such a task.
No, you don't have to remove glass to replace the rubber hatch strip. It simply presses into place, and tucks underneath the 2 top corner pieces. Unsure if the top strip and corners can be replaced with glass in place, yet to change mine over.
Do you destroy the rubber getting it off? is it a re place with new piece job? Mick, it looks like it needs to go on with the window? is this the piece that sits on top between the glass and panel? http://www.conceptzperformance.com/..._Type=NIS300&UID=20130925015917101.161.135.89
I had a hatch sprayed with glass and rubber in -you'd never know. There's enough of a lip on the rubber to get your tape under it
If you exercise some caution, the old rubber strip will come out surprisingly easy. Start with a small flatblade/ terminal screwdriver and pry from the outside edge, lifting it. The rubber has a c-channel that fits around the edge of the glass. Only bits that I found a little tricky were the lower corners, which required a little "gentle" force, rotating the rubber in an inward motion (to separate the c-channel from the glass) while simultaneously lifting upward. There will be enough play in the hard upper corner L-pieces to expose the end of the rubber to release it. Refitting the old rubber is much easier than fitting a new one (that which you supplied the link to Coz for), as it will retain its old shape. Once you get a start of the rubber clipped back underneath the hatch glass edge, it just takes a small amount of pressure (your thumb will be sufficient) to feed it back into place. Remember that you do not rely on this rubber to give the glass any kind of weatherproofing seal. The glass itself should be siliconed into place.
I never said you have to remove the glass to remove the rubber. I reiterate that it is best to remove the glass to reinstall the rubber and is necessary to in order to replace the plastic corner pieces. The molding piece along the top cannot be removed without lifting the glass either. This top piece is more forgiving for reuse.
Hey Karl, Also interested in this. If you fit a new rubber, please let us know how it went. How easy it was to install it and if there was any reason to remove the glass. The rubber on my Z's rear hatch window is as hard as a rock! Looks very old compared to nice new soft rubber. But have put it off thinking the glass has to be removed which is not a 5 minute & 50c job. Peter
Pete, I'm not going to remove as mine is also old and hard. New rubber is $90 and my car will be seeing a respray in the future so I'll just mask it up this time.
