Windshield molding help needed.

[Racebrewer]

Hi Guys,

Need some help ASAP. Thanks in advance.

My windshield and frame is at a local glass shop for the install. The shop guys (60 years experience between them) indicate that the windshield won't fit in the frame with any molding that they have. I have looked at it myself and there is very little clearance (think thickness of a quarter) between the frame and the glass on the left and right sides.

The glass shop would like to grind down the two sides with their special glass belt sander. An idea I'm not fond of, since the windshield could break.

Is there a specific thin molding that is needed? Any thoughts? Anybody run into this issue?

Thanks,
John

[Xusia]

1. I'd call FFR.

2. While the glass breaking during the sanding process is a possibility, is it really probable? My gut says these guys have to tell you it could break just because some do, but it's probably rare. In non-automotive applications, glass sanding (for shaping, smoothing of edges, etc.) is a regular thing and doesn't break the glass. Unless they are telling you otherwise, I wouldn't be too worried (but then, I'm not you either!).

[Racebrewer]

Thanks Xusia,

1. Called FFR. They didn't install their own windows. Waiting to see if I can get some more info from them.

2. I agree, but if there is an alternative to grinding/sanding, I'd prefer it. If windshield ever needs to be replaced, I'll have to get a second one ground down. Eventually one will break.....<LOL>

[Xusia]

If windshield ever needs to be replaced, I'll have to get a second one ground down. Eventually one will break.....<LOL>

Not necessarily. You're assuming the frame is the problem - which it could be. But couldn't that piece of glass just be on the larger side of the tolerance range as well?

[Racebrewer]

I'm hoping that is the case. The glass is a PPG windshield and the installer said that they are pretty consistent.

Per FFR they only have one windshield mold, so I'm hoping that there may be a special skinny rubber molding out there. I'm not a windshield expert so I'm kind of at their guidance (and mercy).

Thanks for the input

[Mechie3]

I think Wayne and Erik both mentioned they didn't have a seal.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Not necessarily. You're assuming the frame is the problem - which it could be. But couldn't that piece of glass just be on the larger side of the tolerance range as well?

I believe I remember that the glass is out of a Toyota MR2. Not positive. I suspect the glass in made to some pretty tight tolerances. So all would be the same.

The FFR cars have a seal
2572025721

Bob

[AZPete]

I took mine to Autolite and they told me that most modern cars have no rubber seal between the edge of the glass and the frame. I thought they were wrong until I went outside and looked at my Mercedes and then a Lexus, a Cadillac and an Infinity in the parking lot. All of them had a small open gap between the glass and the frame. The glass is glued in without a molding or gasket. Look at your daily driver and it's probably the same - no rubber gasket, just black sealant holding the glass in. My 818 windshield was done that way and it looks good. Your glass shop may be out of date.

[Racebrewer]

Yup. Wayne's have a seal.

By the time I was able to get to the glass shop with that info, the windshield had been broken. They worked fast.

Anybody got a model number for a molding that will fit?

Thanks,
John

Pete, I missed your post. I will explore that with them.

[Mechie3]

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?11936-Windshield-installation

My bad, wayne mentions the grm car has a gasket.

[wallace18]

I can confirm Wayne's car has a gasket. Saw it myself last Thursday.

[Wayne Presley]

Mine has this gasket

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc175/vcpinjectionpb/getImage_zps7f61b370.jpg (http://s213.photobucket.com/user/vcpinjectionpb/media/getImage_zps7f61b370.jpg.html)

And looks like this installed

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc175/vcpinjectionpb/P1020521_zps2580df82.jpg (http://s213.photobucket.com/user/vcpinjectionpb/media/P1020521_zps2580df82.jpg.html)

[Racebrewer]

Mine looks like that but with more pieces.............

Oh, well.......

[Racebrewer]

Update. Second windshield installed. Installer claims that it too had to be ground to fit, but at least it didn't break.

It makes me wonder if some of the problem isn't with the molding being too thick in the critical area. It appears that different installers may use different molding manufacturers of similar moldings and the seal profiles may be different.

John

[Wayne Presley]

The GRM and mine dropped right in with the above gasket and Erik Treves went right in with the same gasket.