964 Windshield Replacement

[cjoenck]

I just found rust along the lower edge of my windshield after a few trips in the rain. I also have a couple of stone chips in the glass so I am planning to replace the windshield.
Has anyone out there some experience / photos as a guide? Is it worth trying this myself?
As usual, any insight is extremely welcome. Thank you!

[Oracle]

I've read that is not for anyone... You should have some experience or at least someone with experience helping..
It is too expensive to learn how not to do it...
Installed or just the glass is no different in price (when I asked). Instead I bought glass coverage... cheap insurance

[KIPHEBEL]

It can be done but I would probably get a reputable glass shop to do it. Back in '89 I installed the newer 964 front and rear glass in a '76 turbo because I wanted the newer trimless rubber seals. The upgrade went well......no leaks and stayed put at 275kph , but like Oracle said, installed or just glass is the same price.

[colo964]

I fixed my own rust, with POR 15, but the labor to install the glass was cheap compared with the glass price. The "pro" installer actually broke the first one but had the backup piece the next day. Moral of the story is - even someone who kinda knows what he's doing can botch the job. At least if you have them do it you'll get the second piece at no additonal cost.

[cstreit]

I had Safe-Lite auto-glass do mine. They actually came out to my house, installed the glass, and replaced the trim for $225 total! For that price I'd rather no mess with it.

That said, since you'll want to address the rust I'd remove the windsheild yourself which is quite simple. First get a hammer... ....okay, you basically need a windsheild "saw" to break the seal (964's are glued in are they not guys?) then just push up and out from the inside starting a the top corners. Have a helper on the outside.

[davisriley]

$225? Was that deductible, or was that no insurance?

[colo964]

I paid just under $700 for a Sigla glass with antenna from Safelite. $225 is a steal. BTW, plan on a new seal. If they didn't use glue, the years of sun sure make it seem like they did.

I took a terrorist knife and scored between the glass and the metal (1/4" gap or so). If you want to preserve the glass/antenna, you can do it the same, just don't do it on the lower right corner, where your antenna wire is (I'd stay 6 inches vertical and 6 inches horiontal from the corner.

[Richard Curtis]

I had mine replaced under insurance coverage. the windshield came from local Porsche dealer and hence the price for the windshield itself was extraordinarily high (~$700 IIRC). Installation cost was about $100. The installer told me he found evidence in the windshield channel of "some tiny scratches, probably from when the windshield was installed when the car was new, so I touched up the paint"). He reused the seal; said there was no reason not to. No problems since. For the low price of installation, I'd go this way again.

[911nut]

I was told by my local body shop that the 964 windshield was installed at the factory using adhesive. If that's true the old windshield will have to be broken to take it out.

[cjoenck]

Actually, this is not 100% true. The windshield is installed with a seal that is glued in place. However, it is not a given that the windshield breaks when you remove it. Porsche cuts through the seal to remove the windshield. The frame and windshield can be cleaned and used again. It really does depend on the skill of the person removing the windshield that determines if it breaks or not. There is no inherent process that breaks the windshield to remove it.

It sounds like you are getting bad advice. I would move on and find a good glass shop that knows Porsche.

Btw, I decided not to do the replacement myself. As everyone is pointing out, in the end it's not worth the risk and your really do not pay extra to have it done by a professional.