Some Windshield Questions

[exitwound]

I have been looking around the net, in and out of FAQs and message forums, and dealer sites and other random pages, but I still have some questions regarding the windshield replacement I have to perform on my car, a 1986 Porsche 944 2.5L n/a.

• I understand there were many changes made to the 944 line in 1985. Was the windshield, or the way it mounts to the car, altered in any way? If so, how would it impact my decision on buying a windshield perhaps from the junkyard or a parted vehicle?
• What is the preferred buying method for a windshield replacement? Should I buy it second hand, and have it installed? Or should I contact a professional glass repair facility, have it ordered, and installed?
• I don't need an antenna in the windshield. Will the windshield for a 1986 944 include the antenna no matter what?
• What's the average price I'll be expected to pay?
• How does insurance deal with broken glass? As of right now, the car is not insured. After getting insurance for it, would this help or hinder my efforts in having the glass replaced? Should I replace the glass before getting insurance on the car?

For reference, here are two photos of the windshield in its current condition:





Thanks for any and all help!

[BlueQuestTSi]

Usually you can order a windshield with or without the antenna. With the antenna will bring a larger pricetag.

Honestly, I'd call around. Chance are you can get a new windshield installed for a good price. If you had full coverage, you can usually get the insurance company to compensate you for the windshield price, less your deductible. Just tell them you got a rock chip, and it cracked the windshield. However, since you currently don't have full coverage or comp, then when you did get insurance, chances are the agent will want to see the car(at which time they'll note the windshield condition), preventing you from making a claim.

In most cases the price of a new windshield from a place like Safelite will be good enough to make you not want to try to find a good one in a j/y and then have to pay someone else to install it for you.

As to the year of windshield you'll need, you'll need the 85.5+, the early windshield I don't believe will work as it mounts differently.

[Macfreak007]

yup, blue quest is right on, that windsheild you emailed me about is an early '85 and so it wont work, sorry man!

[exitwound]

Indeed! I've read some people had installed early windshields on their late model 944's. I was curious because just about everything else on the early models needs a "kit" to attach to the late models.

[carsontc]

Originally posted by Macfreak007
is an early '85 and so it wont work

how do you know this ?

[docsafi]

I've got an 87 951 and I went through all of the crap to get it replaced. I tried several aftermarket ones and none of them had the proper piece that is attached around the edge of the glass to hold the factory "flush" moulding, this is also the piece that gets destroyed when a windshield is removed from a salvaged car. The only way to get it done properly was to order the windshield through Porsche. I also purchased the Spacer moulding that attached to the body and fills the gap between trim/body/windshield. All in all it required Two pieces of moulding(factory) and a windshield with the proper moulding attached to it. I hope this helps

[binky]

I paid about $400 from Safelite for my 1987 with antennae. I got prices varying up to $750.

PLEASE watch the installer's every move, some don't give a crap about your Porsche, so let them know up front you want this to be an ace job. I was happy with the final installation. Watching them remove the old windshield will scare you to death. They use this scraper..........

[exitwound]

Indeed. I shall look to see if there's a local Safelite. The old windshield is already broken so I'll be happy to see it go. hehe

[exitwound]

We have a local SafeLife, and I called today. They quoted me $243 for a 1986 Porsche 944 windshield without antenna, out of pocket, including molding, and labor/installation. They can install as early as TOMORROW. but I told them I'll call back because I have to work long hours tomorrow. That's a decent price methinks!

[ae1969]

That is a great price.

[gtroth]

For me, PO had 100% glass coverage, so she offered to replace the windshield (Safelite, $443). I did it again ~1 month later using my $150 deductable insurance ($595 from Housatonic Glass, a local place recommended by my Porsche shop). Both Sekurit glass w/ antennae.

My only advice - if you need to replace your hood shocks, do that before you fix the windshield (look how close the back edge of the hood comes to the windshiled on the corners - you'll see why).

[SoCal Driver]

$243 is a good price as long as they include the mouldings. There is a spacer and then the flush black rubber trim. The geometry of the 944 windshields are all the same. The later (post 85) windshields have the antenna laminated in them thus they cost more.

[carsontc]

anyone got the p/n for the extra bits...is it 2 'spacers' and 1 'rubber trim'?

[SoCal Driver]

Call a dealer. My resources only show one spacer and the trim.

[binky]

Well, I was one of those Homer Simpson's who was replacing the hood shocks and pushed up on the hood 1/16th of an inch too high and the windshield made an unforgettable sound...

PLEASE be careful. I bought a windshield that I didn't need.