911 windshield repair, Not!

[Geologyjohn]

Last week while driving my mid 70's 911 on decaying Hwy 680 in the Bay Area (CA.), my windshield was struck by an RPG rocket, or similar large object. Luckily I was wearing my sun glasses, as I was sprayed with fine glass particles on impact. Actually, it was probably an object kicked up by a passing pickup truck. As they say, "I never saw what hit me". Anyway, I called my insurance company (AAA) today, and they told me that I was covered (with a $100. deductible). The lady on the phone then transferred me to the auto glass folks, who took my information and started placing calls to Bay Area auto glass vendors who are on the insurance company's approved vendor list. Guess what, no one would do the windshield replacement. I spoke with two of the vendors on the phone myself. They told me that replacing Porsche windshields is tricky, and sometimes they break, and they (the vendors) take the $ hit. The vendor that I just got off the phone with tells me that his company is going to call the Porsche dealership that they have been doing work for and tell them that they do not want anymore Porsche work. So whats up with that? Where should I turn? I am not in the mood to try the install myself. Hell, that's part of why I pay insurance. Any thoughts, Geologyjohn

[KNS]

The dealership probably doesn't work on very many of the older cars. I'm sure there are plenty of glass shops that are familiar with the process. It's no different than any older VW or many other cars made before 1980.

Keep calling some glass shops and ask first if they can "rope" in a windshield before you mention the word "Porsche".

[timmy2]

You need to find an "oldtimer" that knows what he's doing. Try a classic car restoration shop and see who they recommend. Make sure to replace the rubber too.

[Bob Kontak]

Cripes

You need to buy a windshield and a real Porsche seal and put it in with a friend while drinking beer. OMG - it is incredibly easy.

Do not use goop to seal. Let the rubber do the sealing.

[jimtweet]

i have to say i was scared ****less to replace the glass and seals on my car,...

i have a buddy who convinced me to just order and we can do it no problem...

let me saw, two quarter windows, front windshield and rear windshield all in under two hours...

hardest part was getting the old ones out without damage to anything.

buy the windshield and just go for it man, super super simple

[Staylo]

Call Dan's mobile glass in Concord.
(925) 827-4173

Ask for Barry, he's done MANY 911s.

[RSBob]

I agree, find a shop that deals with classic Porsches and they will know exactly who does that kind of work and does it well.

[al lkosmal]

Make absolutely sure that you use the Porsche seal............ask me how i know.

regards,
al

[boxster03]

If you are in the Bay area there are a ton of good early 911 shops that can do it for you

[Dantilla]

I've had a local glass shop replace the 912 windshield for $200 or so, and the 944 race car is no different even with the roll cage welded in.

Replacing a Porsche windshield for them is no different than any Toyota or Buick.

Not sure what the problem is.....

[vulcan300]

I installed the front window in my car in under an hour from start to finish. If the insurance company will pay for the glass and seal you and a firiend can have it done in no time flat.

Cut the old seal around the outer edge with a sharp exacto knife and remove the old windshield. Remove the remnants of the old seal and clean away any goop that may be on the flange. You may find a little rust on the flange so have some POR15 handy. Put the new window on a rolling tool cart or something similar with padding to protect the glass. Test fit the metal trim on the new glass. If the curve doesn't match, carefully bend the trim until it matches the curvature of the glass. Do this for both trim pieces. This is essential if you want the seal to fit correctly and keep the water out. After prepping the trim, place the seal on the outer edge of the glass. Then snap the seal into place in the trim lock groove in the seal. Place the small trim pieces that cover the gaps in place before installing the second piece of trim. Spray silicone or soapy water will help lubricate the trim lock channel and make snapping it into place easier. Thread two pieces of strong cord into the groove in the outer edge of the seal. Then have your friend help you place the window into the window opening ensuring the cords are accessible inside the car. Firmly push the seal into position on the top, bottom and sides. Once happy with the position of the window have your friend place pressure on the seal on the outside where the cords start. Begin pulling the first cord and it will pull the lip of the seal over the flange. Have your friend move his hands and apply pressure as you pull the cord around the edge of the window. Pull the first cord all the way around and remove it. If any of the lip did not pull over the flange with the first pull you can use the second cord to finish the job.

Once you're done crack open a couple of cold beers and admire your work :-). Good luck.

[dan88911]

Purchased my windshield at Easy Porsche in Emeryville . Frank's of Berkeley installed via their recommendation. Both of these guys have been in the business for years.

[haggis780]

Originally Posted by targamaniac

I installed the front window in my car in under an hour from start to finish. If the insurance company will pay for the glass and seal you and a firiend can have it done in no time flat.

Thread two pieces of strong cord into the groove in the outer edge of the seal.

I like the two cord idea - most of what I have read indicates if the seal does not catch over the lip pull it out and start again - with 2 cords you have a second chance before you have to do that.

Curious - what is a new windshield and seal worth - I have an 88 Carerra and this job needs done

[porwolf]

For getting the old winow out I remember the procedure in the 70's when I had the windshield replaced. The window man sat in the front seats and pushed with both feet pretty hard against the windshield from the inside of the car. The window came out pretty easily. It was an effective and simple affair.

[vulcan300]

Since the window is already severely damaged it would likely shatter if you pushed on it from the inside. Even with windshield in good shape the stress of pushing it out could crack it. Since the old seal is scrap cutting it so that you can pull the window free without stress is the best way to go. If the window has an embedded antenna wire be careful of the wire at the lower right edge on the passenger side. You also need robe careful of the wire when you're pulling the cords.

A second cord is good insurance. In my case the first cord did the trick when I installed my front window. In the case of the rear targa glass I used three cords and two helpers and I still had to push the glass out and retry four times until it went in properly! The front window is a piece of cake in comparison.

The owner of my car had the front window replaced just before I bought the car 5 years ago. I believe he spent 7-800 on the glass. The original Porsche seal from pelican was in the 150 range.

[Reifle]

WOW - I had mine done by a local guy in about 2 hours - we must of talked for an hour so the actual work was probably an hour! He had absolutely no issue and did a great job! I ordered both the front a rear seals and he had them done in no time! The seals were purchased thru the host and I bought the insert trim locally (which was expensive - almost $400.00). Johnnie found me the glass - all included about $700.00 (trim, seals, glass and labour).

[haggis780]

I recall seeing a picture of a rear glass install with ratchet straps anchored to the floor forward of the doors used to pull the glass in.

So about 700 for the front glass then?

[Laneco]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Cripes

You need to buy a windshield and a real Porsche seal and put it in with a friend while drinking beer. OMG - it is incredibly easy.

Do not use goop to seal. Let the rubber do the sealing.

Absolutely. My husband and I take these in/out all the time. They are pretty dang easy.

angela

[hcoles]

The place to go IMO is Capital Glass Works in San Jose.
The owner did much of the 911 glass in the area back in the day.

Capitol Glass Works
10 reviewsRating Details
Category: Auto Glass Services [Edit]
3500 Pearl Ave Ste A
San Jose, CA 95136
(408) 265-9522

[Geologyjohn]

Several good local leads to do the windshield installation have been provided in this thread, and I thank you all. I'll start calling them on Monday. Another related question, do any of you know where I can buy a new 911 windshield in the S.F. Bay Area? I realize that it will not be an OEM windshield. Thanks, Geologyjohn