is a groove in it that you fit the window in. However, depending on the age of your seal there may be some shrinkage, so when you go to put it back in you have to be sure to pull it taut as you work it around so it's not short. The metal corner pieces then press back in over it. If your seal is in really bad shape I believe you can still get a new one. It's about $100, little more for convertible or 2+2.