Solo windshield install...easy!

[bkcbuilder]

I've read and reread all the glass install posts, and the 101 explanation. So today after work I picked up a new windshield from a business buddy who does my glass work(construction). I wanted to try this myself, plus I don't trust his install guys with the thought that they could rip my headliner or thrash my dash.

I had the old unit out in 15 min...easy pas...trim came of nice with a flat bar/paint scrape tool, hook blade on the utilty knife cut the seal and the old scratched POS come out. I prepped the new one, with new seal(thanks Pelican), installed the trim..not as hard as described by the way...lubed the slot(wire pulling lube) installed the rope and dropped it into the opening.

I used 4 of the harbor freight glass clamps(on sale for 2.99 this week by the way) pushed with one hand on the outside and reached around and pulled the rope with the other.....everything just went slick.

I have a creative way to use a pencil to "roll" the outside lip out over the body too, hard to explain but easy in practice.

Total time was only 1.5 hours counting a break to eat some dinner...

New windshield was a Pilkington...made in Finland I believe, has a tint strip and came with the rear view mount already in place.

Can be done solo... I can attest. Brian

[FenderGuy]

Brian,

You will learn the cars are not that hard to work with a little knowledge

Frank

[bkcbuilder]

Actually, I've built a few racers, spec Miatas and SRF's but P-cars always had a voodoo cloud surrounding them....what I've found is quite the opposite, they are actually easier to work on than most. Most things aren't "factory sealed" and quite simple to disassemble,clean and reinstall...love that!

[Jascha]

I am truly impressed...!

I needed to replace an old dried out seal on my ’84 911. The new seal from Pelican makes a good fit. The traveling Glass-Man who was eager and ready to do it (just give me a nice Tip -he said). He spent the better part of 3-hours swearing and chain smoking. He had to do the ‘roping maneuver’ three times. I think part of his troubles was the warping of the trim that he introduced.

I am not sure I get the need for the clamps?

[john walker's workshop]

once i saw three glass guys trying to get one in. i do them by myself all the time. long arms help.

[FrayAdjacent911]

I had figured when I remove my front and rear glass, that it would be a b*tch to get in with new seals... but this gives me a little hope, maybe with some help, I can get them in with little or no problems... We'll see... sometime next year, though!

[Wayne 962]

It's really the luck of the draw. If the trim is bent even just a little bit, then you're toast.

-Wayne

[Jbabic]

where can I get a front windshield for a 1977 Targa?

[Jascha]

As I said... the only reassuring aspect of the install was knowing that the windshield seal came from Pelican (!)

I learned a lot helping the installer (his apprentice just stood there –Trump would have fired him). Apparently, the original windshield was installed with a sealer (glued?) but we just popped it (3-hours later!). Is that the norm these days… (?)

[Tim Hancock]

I had no problems roping them in (I did the sides and the rear by myself and had my teen daughter "help" with the front), but installing the trim and fussing with the defroster wires was not fun.

[RoninLB]

2 guys outside and me inside helped. I had to remove it 2x to get the shield centered in the opening. If it lays down to far the opening in the outside upper corners of the seal will be exposed. Glass clamps will definately make centering the glass easier.

[Superman]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
It's really the luck of the draw. If the trim is bent even just a little bit, then you're toast.

-Wayne

I've watched it twice and I think I could do it. Two guys (or JW's long arms) would help, but it's not that hard.

I've heard you can bend slightly bent trim back into shape on the bench using the glass and seal carefully as a template.

[Rot 911]

What is a glass clamp? You mean the big suction cup?

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by Kurt V
What is a glass clamp? You mean the big suction cup?

yep

if you're interested in centering the glass it might not be a bad idea to measure or pencil the line where the edge of the seal hits the body. If you have an upper corner sealing area gap then you can figure that in to the final install. I also used some dum dum where the glass with seal lays to help prevent it from sliding down later.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Superman
I've watched it twice and I think I could do it. Two guys (or JW's long arms) would help, but it's not that hard.

I've heard you can bend slightly bent trim back into shape on the bench using the glass and seal carefully as a template.

Of course you can, but it's better if you keep it straight. That means cutting it out, not pulling it out. I think a little extra (little, now) downward bend at the corners helps. If it's a little the other way, or high, then I'd agree with Wayne that it will be a tough, tough job.

[Yellowbird RS]

I do them by myself frony w/great result but the rear is other history

[techweenie]

I've done a bunch of them, and had the best luck pulling the cords from the top center of the windshield to the bottom.

You don't need windshield suction cups if you can slap the glass hard with open palm as you pull the cord down the sides and across the bottom. You have to use 'english' on the bottom edge, slapping up and back. I've done a few that went in first try, and one or two I gave up on and paid somebody else to do.

The rear glass seems like it should be simpler, but it definitely is not. For your own sanity, take out the rear quarter windows before attempting it.

[Hetmann]

I would love to hear how you can do the rear glass alone. Seems impossible to me given my experience with it.

[ed martin]

I've done a few of them and some jobs are super easy where you just wonder what all the fuss is all about. Then for some reason you can get one that just seems damn near impossible. Like Wayne said, it's the luck of the draw.

[techweenie]

Originally posted by Hetmann
I would love to hear how you can do the rear glass alone. Seems impossible to me given my experience with it.

Well, I'm talking about a coupe rear window, and having the quarter windows removed. One hand outside pushes down on the glass, following the cord releasing the seal on the inside. There's no difference in that respect from the windshield.