View Full Version : Windshield Support Groove - Help Needed
BrewCityCobra
09-14-2024, 02:04 PM
I'm in the process of trying to install my windshield and found that none of the provided bolts would fit (e.g., they were not long enough to go from the support beams into the brass strip within the window). A closer look shown that the grooves cut into the support beams appear to be shallow (by depth I mean in the direction of the arrows shown below). I suspect the depth of the grooves in that direction should be equal to the width of the window frame itself so that holes are actually in the middle, not halfway included.
Can anybody confirm this? Does anybody have a similar picture of their windshield supports for comparison?
If the grooves are cut too shallow I suppose I should reach out to FF to get new ones sent. Just trying to confirm before I reach out.
Any help greatly appreciated!
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toadster
09-14-2024, 02:33 PM
many folks have used the Whitby stainless inserts to bypass the brass parts - potentially a good option for you at this point?
https://www.whitbymotorcars.com/product/ss-windshield-inserts/
Norm B
09-14-2024, 04:11 PM
That doesn’t look right. I am not at home or I would go out to the car and check but, I remember the grove going all the way to the top. Tried searching for a picture of the posts but had no luck. Build manual might have something.
Norm
rich grsc
09-14-2024, 04:38 PM
No, they are NOT the same width as the frame. They are cut at an angle, the frame does not set at 90* to the side posts.
Rebostar
09-14-2024, 08:51 PM
The two support beams are flared outward about 15' when the four attach screws are tightend, they will be parallel with the outside edge of the window frame. If they are like mine were they will not match the angle of the welded in support brackets that the windshield bolts to, and will require twisting the bottom 8 inches to match.
Pics below show the angle of the windshield supports compared to the welded in attach brackets. Also the countersunk screws only bite into the brass about 3 to 4 threads. NOT a great design.
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rich grsc
09-15-2024, 08:57 AM
The two support beams are flared outward about 15' when the four attach screws are tightend, they will be parallel with the outside edge of the window frame. If they are like mine were they will not match the angle of the welded in support brackets that the windshield bolts to, and will require twisting the bottom 8 inches to match.
Pics below show the angle of the windshield supports compared to the welded in attach brackets. Also the countersunk screws only bite into the brass about 3 to 4 threads. NOT a great design.
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I do believe you have it assembled incorrect. When correct they are not parallel with the windshield. That is why the legs have a bevel where the frame mounts
Rebostar
09-15-2024, 04:41 PM
I do believe you have it assembled incorrect. When correct they are not parallel with the windshield. That is why the legs have a bevel where the frame mounts
They cannot be assembled any other way. I tried.They'll only go togeather one way.
Rebostar
09-16-2024, 05:31 PM
The four holes that are drilled on each side of the supports align with the step that is machined into the supports. This has the effect of eliminating some of the outward cant of the supports. The supports are not parallel with the windshield frame, as I mentioned above, but very close. If the supports were machined the way you thought (the thickness of the windshield frame) the outward cant would be quite a bit because they would be parallel. See pic below.
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The bummer is that the step they machine into the supports does not eliminate all the outward cant. Only some of it. The holes that are in your supports are drilled correctly. They may have given you screws that are to short if they do not engage the brass threads correctly. Also be very carefull when installing them. test fit them first. The last thing you want to do is cross thead them. Mine were metric, not 10-32
Once you get the supports installed on the window and the assembly set in the car mark the angle of the supports on the body. Remove windshield. Transfer the angles of the attach brackets welded to the frame (that the windshield supports bolt to) to the body and compare with the support angles. Mine were off by quite a bit. Thats the pics I posted above. I had to fix that before shimming tightning the attach bolts.
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