Replacing Windshield Glass

[Broadwaydan]

I am in the process of replacing the glass in my windshield. I have removed the two frame pieces from the cracked windshield and started to remove the seal from it as well. The question I have is can I reuse the seal on the new glass? It is still in one continuous piece and looks to be in good shape. I did notice an adhesive of some sort that appears to be in the seal channel. Most of this adhesive came off with the seal when I was pulling it from the old glass, although in some spots it stayed attached to the old windshield. Not sure if this will be critical or if there is a product to use to replace where adhesive is missing (besides simple two sided adhesive strip). Thanks for your comments.

[montyals]

As a member of the cracked windshield club I replaced the windshield glass before. Used the old rubber seal. No problem at all.

[Gumball]

I removed my windshield to do some pre-crack work... polishing the edges, grinding screws so they don't protrude into the channel, etc... and I reused the old seal. I did clean it before hand, though, and added some fresh non-hardening window mastic before reinstalling it on the glass.

[Broadwaydan]

Thanks for the information, guys. Hopefully I will be re-assembling the windshield today.

[QSL]

if you haven't already, check fast freddies windshield. I am so happy i made the move and it does not look like plastic when installed. Its really nice to be able to really push hard on the windshield now to clean it and not worry.

[CraigS]

When you reinstall it make one of the spec boards from a 2x4 so you can drop it into the holes and the board will hold it at the correct angle. (runs from the top of the w/s to the top of the rear cockpit edge) I know it's a pain but get in there and look at the bottom ends of the side brackets. How do they fit up to the frame pieces? Many times a spacer washer or two or three are needed. You want to be able to tighten the bolts w/o putting any bending stress on the brackets which then applies stress to the glass. Also get a total of eight plain non-locking nuts. These you can spin on by hand and then only need a wrench for the last 2-3 turns. Once you have it positioned and one nut tight on each bolt, spin on another nut and tighten it the last 1/2 turn w/ a wrench. SO, SO much easier than dealing w/ locking nuts.

[Broadwaydan]

Thanks again for the additional input. I thought about the lexan but decided against it so I did not have to risk any issues with registration. I have also done some pre-work with the old windshield on the car and have checked the support arm fit and what I need to fasten them without putting any stress on the glass. I already had to do a lot of grinding on the pre-cut slots in the fender to eliminate binding and create some gaps, and I know I will need 1-3 washers for the fasteners to eliminate bending when I fasten the bolts. I did like the idea about not using nylock nuts and just using two nuts on each bolt - that will definitely make that easier. Last, all the screws for the sun visors have been grinded shorter so I know there will be no contact with the glass when they are installed. I had already done that with the support arm screws, but will carefully check those again with the new glass. In the meantime, I have re-assembled the windshield and should be getting that installed in the next couple days. Hopefully with no more issues. After that only a few things and the build will be complete - hope to have pictures to share in a post by the end of the month.

Happy building....

[Jeff Kleiner]

...I have also done some pre-work with the old windshield on the car and have checked the support arm fit and what I need to fasten them without putting any stress on the glass...

That's good planning Dan however based on my experience be aware that there is some variation in the glass/frame units and they are not all exactly identical. You should be close, and if you're lucky you'll be spot on, but I recommend that you double check your shim stackup before tightening the arms to the chassis and adjust if necessary. Good luck with the installation!

Jeff

[Broadwaydan]

That's good planning Dan however based on my experience be aware that there is some variation in the glass/frame units and they are not all exactly identical. You should be close, and if you're lucky you'll be spot on, but I recommend that you double check your shim stackup before tightening the arms to the chassis and adjust if necessary. Good luck with the installation!

Jeff

Will do Jeff....thx