What Now? (Another Windshield Question)

[daltmcintyre]

Tonight I had a friend help me put the body on the frame so I could test fit the windshield. After getting everything adjusted, the windshield frame is touching the body on both ends (where the lost are) and there is a 1/2” gap between the body and the windshield frame in the middle...

Any suggestions on what is causing this? Any suggestions on what to try next?

I have the glass out and I’m using quick release brackets. The windshield frame sat in the brackets with 0 tension before the body was on... 132392

[edwardb]

Three things to look IMO:

1) Do you have it at the proper angle? Makes a big difference.

2) Are you positive you are putting zero tension on the arms? The windshield is pretty flexible. Had a buddy with the same problem and was pinching it with the arms causing a similar gap.

3) Bulb seal on the firewall and body is sitting down on it?

[daltmcintyre]

I bent the side post so that they would be parallel. They slide in the quick release brackets with and without the body with almost zero resistance. Hopefully I will get my glass back Monday from the glass shop and I can test fit it then.

I don’t have the bulb seal on the firewall so that may raise the cowl up a tad, but I don’t think it would be a ton.

The angle appears to be spot on, the side post line up with the frame mounts.

132393

[Papa]

Did you trim the length of the posts? They need to be shortened or they will not let the windshield go down far enough.

[edwardb]

...I don’t have the bulb seal on the firewall so that may raise the cowl up a tad, but I don’t think it would be a ton. The angle appears to be spot on, the side post line up with the frame mounts...

It makes a difference. What about other body fitment pieces? Should be as complete as possible to get the proper fit. I don't know that aligning the angle to the side mounts is particularly accurate or even correct. I use the 27-inch dimension referenced in this video. https://youtu.be/jwvtEutfGqY. See if that helps.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I was provided with a set of quick release mounts to use on a car once and found that the angle was incorrect, at least when installed per the instructions. When the windshield angle is incorrect and laid back too far it will gap in the center. You can probably do that math... ;)

As Paul said 27" + or - a bit measured like I show in these photos will get you there:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=130460&d=1593036763

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=130461&d=1593036847

Jeff

[daltmcintyre]

I measured it last night... it was no where near 27”. I’ll pull the brackets off today and try it without them.

Thanks to everyone for the responses.

[rich grsc]

All this messing around with the quick release brackets, how much time have they saved?

[daltmcintyre]

At this point... negative 48 hours

[GoDadGo]

1. Without the glass in the frame, I don't think you can trust any of the measurements.
2. A little bit of squeeze on the bottom frame bow could easily push that bow up 1/2".
3. My suggestion is to retry once you have the glass back in the frame.
4. My other suggestion is to take a break and not to sweat the little stuff.
5. This issue will be resolved once you have time and the reassembled windshield to play with.

Good Luck From The Dark Dart Side!

[Fixit]

I'm not using the quick release gizmos, but this helped me (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?27544-The-40-Watt-Garage-9365-Annoying-Rattle-Resolved&p=367063&viewfull=1#post367063) do the install by myself...

[SJDave]

I measured it last night... it was no where near 27”. I’ll pull the brackets off today and try it without them.

Thanks to everyone for the responses.

I have the quick release brackets on mine, and if you follow their instructions the windshield is raked back way too much. This also lowers the top frame and if you are on the tall side, you will get annoyed by looking past the frame all the time. The quick release plates need to be rotated forward so the gap to the FFR sheet metal side plates is flush at the bottom and 3/8" forward at the top approximately.