DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

Rear screen rubber seal..yuck.






Sorry about the fuzzy photos, but you get the idea I'm sure.
A familiar place for rust in a 911 I expect, but it seems to plague 964s and 993s as much as any Porsche. I have had this 'repaired' twice now, by people recommended as being up to it - and I have finally got the message that there is a good chance that the only way to do it properly is do it myself - at the very least I would like to make sure I get back to good metal, before getting any repair or respray done. The car is off the road this winter, mainly cos I cant afford to run her, so I have time..

So..
-Is DIY rear screen removal do-able, or am I better going off to autoglass?
-Do these sorts of repairs usually require any welding? I guess its hard to know without seeing it without the seal in the way, but I am assuming that its going to be grimmer than it seems once I start revealing whats underneath
-Is lead the only way to go to finish these repairs, or are other fillers up to the job, if I'm careful with the prep work.

Much appreciated!

Ive done this on mine... Although it wasnt that bad!

You can take the screen out by carefully applying pressure on the glass from the inside with your foot, start at the top and push firmly but carefully, get some one on the outside to get their fingers under the seal and try and prize the seal off its seat. it will eventually come away and the glass can be removed.
The rot will then need buzzing back to clean metal to be certain of extent of damage, you may get away with it not being holed. I hate to say it but I would imagine there will be some small holes underneath.

I cleaned mine all back to good bare metal, welded the pin holes (didnt need any patches or plates), used metal ready to prepare the metal, smoothed out the pitting with a fine skim of mettalik filler, Could have lead loaded it I suppose but the pitting was so fine decided mettalik would be ok, POR-15'd the whole area, then prepped and painted.
Repair has been good for a few years now.

Also did the front screen in the same way last year.

I would say not for the amateur. You could take the screen out yousrelf, but safer to trust it to a specialist (i.e. not Autoglass), who can then put it back in for you afterwards and guarantee the fitting. The only sure way to get rid of this is by leading or welding, another specialist job

Quote from a post on Impact Bumpers:

"Update on the crossmember repair etc. Found a local guy who specialises in Triumph rebuilds. However as they appear to be getting thin on the ground, he has now diversified into 911s. Mine was his first. He carried out the complete front crossmember repair, including tank support. The whole area by the passenger's door and sill, including jacking point had to be cut out and replaced, a repair to the rear floor pan, plus rear torsion bar cover replacement, a replacement ball joint at the front. All in all a superb job, and all for £3k including the much cherished MoT!!

Chic Doig of Cardenden now does 911s all you guys in the Central Belt. Tel No 01592 722999"

May be of use to you since he's localish - unless, of course, he's one you've used before.

Thanks folks

Going to get the screen out first and see what shes looking like. I can do basic MIG welding but this may well need a little more finesse than I can muster. Frost do sell those beginners' leading kits too. Hmm.

Mike thanks for the tip - 'Chic in cardenden' sounds a little like the previous suspects! But you never know. Might be worth a bash, just a struggle getting the car down there on a SORN. Its a start, will try and find out how careful he is..