54 0 ... Repair instructions for bonded seals

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 BMW 545i and 2004 BMW 545i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

General Information On Handling Rubber Seal Profiles:
- If seals reveal partly detached protective film on delivery, they must not be bonded.
- Store seals at 15° C to 25° C.
- If, during the handling, the protective film has come off before bonding, it can still be bonded.
- Bonding at room and object temperature >20° C. Temperatures between 40 and 50° C significantly increase initial adhesion.
- Seals, which are subjected to temperatures above 80° C after gluing, will be very difficult to remove.
Damage Pattern And Repair:
1. 2.1 Partially detached bond (rubber-adhesive tape or adhesive tape-paint).
  - Up to 120 mm for retouching without auxiliary resources.
  - Up to 200 mm repaired with pressing-on tools on straight surfaces.
  1. Cleaning damaged areas:
    - Degrease bonded area with adhesive cleaner and remove other residues.
      NOTE: Use necessary cotton- or fluff-free paper towel once only.
      
      When using solvent:
      
      Expose repair area to air for at least 2 minutes.
  2. Applying adhesive:
    - With a fine nozzle, apply a wafer-thin bead to adhesive tape.
      NOTE: o
      Use contact adhesive (e.g. Terokal 2444).
      
      CAUTION: Avoid contact to skin!
      Do not apply adhesive to visible painted surfaces.
  3. Pressing on rubber seal:
    - Press down seal using contact pressure (forced pressure not necessary) for at least 1 minute.
      CAUTION: Load can only be applied to the bond after a period of 2 minutes. This waiting time is absolutely essential.
2. 2.2 Larger defects (mechanical damage and larger separations of seal).
  - A complete replacement of the rubber seal is necessary. Refer to 54 12 117 REPLACING SEAL FOR GLASS SLIDE/TILT SUNROOF LID .
  1. Peeling off damaged rubber seal:
    - Pull off rubber seal slowly at an angle of 15 to 25°.
      NOTE: Make sure the connection between adhesive tape and seal is retained. If the connection between adhesive tape and seal is detached: Carefully and slowly detach adhesive tape at an angle of 15 to 25° from roof opening or lid. If, in the case of older seals, you are peeling off using a hot air blower: Do not damage paintwork. Do not detach rubber-adhesive tape connection if at all possible.
  2. Cleaning bonded area:
    - Degrease bonded area with adhesive cleaner and remove other residues.
      NOTE: Use necessary cotton- or fluff-free paper towel once only.
      
      When using solvent:
      
      Expose repair area to air for at least 2 minutes.
  3. Detaching protective film from bonded area:
    - Detach protective film from rubber seal in sections.
      CAUTION: Once the protective film has been removed, do not under any circumstances touch the exposed bonded area.
  4. Applying rubber seal:
    - Apply rubber seal on roof opening edge beginning at rear center. Use upper lip as application edge. Press on seal continuously by hand. Carefully unwrap seal at radii without tension and press down (critical area).
      NOTE: If positioned incorrectly, the seal can still be pulled off, repositioned and pressed on again.
  5. Establishing seal joint:
    - Mark contact point at joint by pressing down loose end on seal of already bonded end. Then cut and press down loose end at same height.
      NOTE: Small areas of seal can remain stuck to adhesive tape of loose end.
  6. Pressing on seal:
    - Press on seal using a roller.
    - Adhesive tape width up to 5 mm. Application pressure approx. 5 N.
    - Adhesive tape width up to 10 mm. Application pressure approx. 10 N.
    Seal On Sliding Sunroof E83 Only:
    - Press against seal strongly with a roller. Application pressure approx. 70 N.
    Seal On Sliding Sunroof E36 Only:
    - Application pressure approx. 30 N.
    - Tear off tear-off lip at rear and side in area of narrower flange.
      NOTE: Firm thumb pressure has approx. 35 N/cm² .
Checking Rubber Seal:
- Check the bonded seals for correct positioning and perfect adhesion. The bonding can be checked by pressing back the sealing lip.
- The force required to peel off the seal immediately after gluing must be greater than 10 N/cm.