Time for a 993 windshield replacement. Questions...

[Rick Lee]

I need to have my windshield replaced. In AZ it's covered by insurance with no deductible. Are there aftermarket winshields available for 993's that also have the antennae inside it? I haven't called my insurance (USAA) yet. I'm just wondering if I should push to have them let the dealer replace it or if any indep. glass place is fine.

[Don Plumley]

I've heard glass is hard to come by cheap. You want someone that has done this before to do it or you'll have a squeaky window. Be happy you have insurance - get the dealer or a high end independent shop to do it.

[Rick Lee]

Oh, I'm not hesitating because of the cost I just don't like taking my cars to dealers for anything. I don't even want one of their monkeys to drive from the lot into the garage. I'd much rather have someone come do it at my house where I can watch them.

[jhubs]

Find out who does the windshield replacements for your local Porsche dealer as most of them don't do it in house. Another good source is your best local body shop for Porsches, BMWs, etc.

I had the glass company come to my home and do mine. Make sure you tell the glass company that you require they send someone that has done this on Porsches before! They sent me a rookie and it took him 4 hours with my help.

The tricky parts are the antenna wire and make sure the windshield technician quickly presses the entire windshield into the heated glue that holds the windshield in place. Don't drive the car for 24 hours just to be sure it seals properly, even though they tell you you can drive it in 1-2 hours.

Jerry

[aaroninrpv]

I replaced mine (stone on freeway) for $750 several years ago. The dealer wanted $1500. I called around the companies listed on the yellow pages and found one with a windshield in stock. It has an embedded antenna. That was the cheapest deal I could find.

Sorry I do not remember the name of the company. I believe that it was a national chain so call around. They came to my office and installed it in less than two hours. The toughest part was to reconnect the antenna to the new windshield.

Good luck.

[Marco8]

Rick,

Used to live in Phx and had the windshield on my 88 911 replaced at 20th street auto parts. As you probably know they are a dismantler for porsche and corvette in phoenix. When I had it done (few years ago), they had competent people doing it at a very good price. And they don't have a problem if you watch....GL

[atheophilus]

Originally Posted by jhubs

Find out who does the windshield replacements for your local Porsche dealer as most of them don't do it in house. Another good source is your best local body shop for Porsches, BMWs, etc.

I had the glass company come to my home and do mine. Make sure you tell the glass company that you require they send someone that has done this on Porsches before! They sent me a rookie and it took him 4 hours with my help.

The tricky parts are the antenna wire and make sure the windshield technician quickly presses the entire windshield into the heated glue that holds the windshield in place. Don't drive the car for 24 hours just to be sure it seals properly, even though they tell you you can drive it in 1-2 hours.

Jerry

This is good advice, I have heard many nightmare stories about replacing glass on 993's, make sure its pukka glass that only Porsche uses, make sure they dont scratch the paint on the frame when they take the old screen out or it will eventually rust and become a nightmare repair. My own screen needed re-doing three times and that was by so called screen experts. I refused to leave the car with these 'experts' at their depot and had the job done at home where I could keep an eye on proceedings. The tricky part of antenna wire can be made easier if they make a note from which hole the cable is run and attach a long feed wire to the old cable. Access is under the bonnet over to the lhs as you look at the front of the car, aerial amp is secured to the side, cable plugs into this.

Andre

[Madison]

My windshield glass got cracked during the cold season. Then I got it replaced by Bulls eye.

[Paul K]

I just went through this. Only Sigla makes a windshield- there are no 'aftermarket' pieces of glass. The Sigla piece includes the antenna. I called several shops, asking if they had experience with '95-'98 Porsche 911s. Make sure they use OEM seals.

Good luck!

[deekay911]

My local Glasspro did my 968 screen recently, and they ordered a Porsche original part, as aftermarket isn't available. The guy that fitted it had won an international windscreen fitting contest and was considered the best in the business. Have them do it at their workshop, it's bound to come out better if they are working in home comfort.
It did come out like new...

[Traveller]

When the time comes for replacement, I'll be doing the job myself, at least the removal of the windshield.