Windshield self install, well it came out easily but

Kurt B · 01-17-2004, 08:11 PM

I'm sort of wondering if it's going to go back in just as easily. I just kinda pushed a corner in from inside and kept at it all the way around and after a while, I had it out, pulling via the rubber to loosen and so forth. Cake and I just knows it ain't gonna be half the shindig goin' back in.

I have new rubber for the windshield and I want to do the replacement. I'm guessing it won't be nearly as fun going back in.

Any tips? Or will it go in easily? Do I put the rubber all the way around first and put it in, or put rubber on the windshield, put it in then kinda work it all the way around, putting the rubber on and fitting it and so forth.

(it's a cab. Cab winshields, I presume, after a while need to be seriously glued in to need all those special suction cups and razor blades to be extracted. Mine was not glued, but it was snug).

curlesw · curlesw's Garage

I don't have any answers but am interested in your results as I am doing the same thing next weekend...good luck!

v/r
Wayne C.
83 SC

Britain Smith · 01-17-2004, 08:22 PM

If I remember right, you put a pieces of rope in the groove in the rubber and put the rubber around the window. Then you put the window in place and pull the rope, this pulls the seal out and into place.

I did this over 8 years ago, this is all I remember. Maybe someone else has some suggestions.

-Britain

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

It's not a huge deal, but with new rubber, it may take 2-3 tries.

(this assumes you've already put the windshield trim in place)

You need a cord of about 3/16" diameter, just a little longer than the perimeter of the seal. Start at the top, leaving 3" dangling. Using a finger, run the cord down between the lips of the mounting-side flap in the seal. Come all the way around back to the top and leave the rest of the cord hanging.

Put the windshield in place, with the cords hanging inside, and begin pulling the cord. Slap the windshield to help it seal as you pull. You can watch the flap of the seal pull over the metal flange as you go. Problem areas are the front corners and the cowl. If any part of the seal flap does not seat properly, pop the glass out and start again.

You'll find that you need to accurately place the windshield in the exact center of the opening and push the lower part of the seal far back to help the cord do its job. Do not apply steady pressure to the glass.

It might help to pull the cord halfway down the windshield pillar and then start pulling the other end of the cord.

Trial and error. Oh, and a beer or two.

:-)

Believe it or not, the rear glass is much harder.

Britain Smith · 01-17-2004, 09:12 PM

I was close...

I agree with the rear glass...I had to call a guy out to install it for me and the pro said it was one of the hardest ones he has ever done in 15 years or something like that. The crappy thing is that it is the rear one the always leaks.

-Britain

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

I see I was not completelyclear about one thing: you need to stand alongside the car when you pull the cord from the inside and slap the windshield *inward* from the outside...

dtw · 01-17-2004, 09:50 PM

I have only ever done this with a buddy on the outside applying constant pressure to the windshield - really makes it a smooth install.

KTL · 10:21 PM

Kurt,

Reinstall is not difficult. Just be sure to use plenty of soapy water on the rope (soak it) and on the gasket too.

I configured the rope around the gasket so that I would start working on the bottom and finish at the top. Be sure to use plenty of overlap with the rope. I think you don't want to start in the easy place (the top) and then get to the end (the bottom) and have a problem where you can't reach the rubber to do a little adjusting. At least if you finish at the top, you can tug on the rubber a bit if it's not all the way in place.

I got mine in on the first try no problem. Helps to have someone on the outside putting slight pressure on the glass where you're pulling the rope. This helps to ensure the gasket is close to the lip of the car body when you're trying to pull the gasket edge over the lip.

Heck, me and my 60 yr. old mommy did this! So it can't be that hard.

Most important thing is to use a new gasket. Someone previously reused the gasket on my car and it was ugly in there. And the Porsche OEM gaskets are supposed to be better than whoever else makes these things.

Do a search about sealing the gasket after you get it in (and it's dry). The jury is still out on whether you should seal the glass. FWIW, I sealed mine.

dean · 01-18-2004, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Schmuck69
I was close...

I agree with the rear glass...I had to call a guy out to install it for me and the pro said it was one of the hardest ones he has ever done in 15 years or something like that. The crappy thing is that it is the rear one the always leaks.

-Britain

The glass is supposed to be sealed. At least that is what the factory manual said

Rouxzy · 01-18-2004, 05:35 AM

Don't buy a cheap or great deal windshield gasket. You'll be sorry. Spend a couple of extra bucks and get a good quality gasket or you'll never get the thing to conform properly.
Tom

Kurt B · 01-18-2004, 06:17 AM

Thanks for the tips guys. good thing I posted...this whole "rope" thing wasn't the first thing on my list to have handy for this job! Seal is new, from PP.
But thinking about how I uinstalled it, which, after I got it started amounted to just pulling the seal out all the way around, makes complete sense.
I'll post the results (should be this week).

Schrup · Schrup's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Rouxzy
Don't buy a cheap or great deal windshield gasket. You'll be sorry. Spend a couple of extra bucks and get a good quality gasket or you'll never get the thing to conform properly.
Tom

Tom, I ordered my seal from Wayne, I hope it's not the cheap kind your refering to.

Decolliber · 01-18-2004, 06:35 AM

Wayne's 101 book has a good section on removing and installing glass, including a diagram that shows exactly how the everything fits together, and cautionary notes on removing and reinstalling the metal trim. Does not say anything about sealing after install. What scares me away from doing this myself is the possibility of breaking it.

Raynald · 01-18-2004, 07:09 AM

Hello don't forget to install the trim before in the seal... after it will be to late you will have to remove the windsheild again...
i install new chrome trim last month in the windshield and the rear glass,
i have to removed the glass and and install again
i do it alone with a rope it is not difficult but take your time with a friend help it will be easy...
Ray

RoninLB · 01-18-2004, 07:26 AM

I had to remove & re-install 3 X to center the glass. I guess the suction holders would have helped. I used dum dum in the 4 corners to keep the glass centered. Watch the gasket edge relative to the opening.

Chuck Moreland · 01-18-2004, 09:45 AM

It's a good idea to use 2 ropes. Sometimes a little section of the seal may not pop in, then you'll be glad you have a second rope.

I use a thin string, nylon twin.

Really a two person job, one to push from the outside one to pull the string.

Be very careful to get the bottom center part of the seal in properly. It is very hard to see this area due to proximity to the dash, and sometimes it wants to pop out.

no substitute · 10:39 AM

The mention here and in another thread about the use of suction cups sounds like a great tip. HF has 5" (appox.) diameter suction cups with handles. Two of those used to gently shove the windshield around against the corners to push the gasket over the body work (the string(s) do this initially), and ultimately to center the glass, sounds like something worth trying. I've done 3-4 glass jobs in various vehicles including the 911, by myself, and other than normal caution, glass breakage wasn't an issue. Two people would certainly facilitate the work.

Jim Smolka · 01-18-2004, 10:44 AM

Also a good idea to tape up the painted area around the windshield, in case of an accidental opps.

Also, clean any rust around the frame. We use the Wurth rubber care spary to lube the seal.

KTL · 01-18-2004, 10:47 AM

In addition to what Raynald said about the metal trim..........

It's a good idea to shape the trim pieces before installing them into the gasket ( trim eventually gets put into the gasket when it's already on glass, glass not in car yet). Helps to wet the trim and gasket so it goes in easier.

Use the actual windshield glass to shape the metal trim pieces. Works really well. Spend a little time doing this so you don't have trim that wants to pop out of the seal groove.