windshield removal
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 27
From: Sonora CA
windshield removal
Has anyone here tried to remove their own windshield? 
I'd like to remove mine so that I can address some problems under the dash. I'm thinking that it would be easier to do all this work with the windshield removed and make it a lot easier to get the dash out.
Any thoughts on this? Should I leave the windshield removal to the experts?
I'd like to remove mine so that I can address some problems under the dash. I'm thinking that it would be easier to do all this work with the windshield removed and make it a lot easier to get the dash out.
Any thoughts on this? Should I leave the windshield removal to the experts?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Near Round Top (pop. 90) Texas
1. Remove the trim around the windshield.
2. Fish a piece of high strength steel wire under 1 corner of glass.
3. Pull the wire around the perimeter, 1 hand inside 1 hand outside to "cut" the adhesive.
4. Carefully pick up the glass and set aside, upright. (DO NOT LAY FLAT!).
5.Clean the adhesive from around the frame.
6. Replace all the trim clips at this time, only time you can is with the glass out.
7. Sweep up the broken glass from your cat knocking over your windshield.
8. Call the glass company to install new glass.
Unless you are doing a frame off restoration I would not suggest removing the glass yourself.
2. Fish a piece of high strength steel wire under 1 corner of glass.
3. Pull the wire around the perimeter, 1 hand inside 1 hand outside to "cut" the adhesive.
4. Carefully pick up the glass and set aside, upright. (DO NOT LAY FLAT!).
5.Clean the adhesive from around the frame.
6. Replace all the trim clips at this time, only time you can is with the glass out.
7. Sweep up the broken glass from your cat knocking over your windshield.
8. Call the glass company to install new glass.
Unless you are doing a frame off restoration I would not suggest removing the glass yourself.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I tried and almost had it completely out, then ...Crack right down the middle !
it is difficult to get them out in 1 piece ! good luck.... 69VETT
it is difficult to get them out in 1 piece ! good luck.... 69VETT
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
Take a roll of duct tape and cover the entire windshield with a good layer of it. Place large piece of cardboard over the dash and steering column. Proceed with a couple good whacks with a 5lb sludge. Slide off Cardboard into garbage can. Drink several brewski's to celebrate manly event. 
You'll still have time to take the wife/gf to dinner.
You'll still have time to take the wife/gf to dinner.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
My windshield was hazy looking from many years of sun and had a rough surface presumably from nature sand blasting it. I removed it with the idea of reinstalling it but it cracked as I was lifting it out. It gave me the reason I needed to get a new one.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,694
Likes: 833
From: WI
If your goal is to save your windshiled, you might want to have a shop take it out for you. Although a new one (in my case) was only 120 bucks. I'm lucky that mine came pre-cracked. Didn't even have to do it myself!
Mark G
Mark G
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,982
Likes: 6,209
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
I think you should try to get it out yourself. Don't be too careful, they are very sturdy. Push hard if it resists at all. Twisting and impact is the best method.
Oh, and if something happens, I've got one for sale...
Oh, and if something happens, I've got one for sale...
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,694
Likes: 833
From: WI
I've actually removed and installed several windshields over the years. If you take your time they're easy to remove, especially if yours was set in w/butyl tape. Urethane set windshields are tougher to remove. Here are a couple key points:
1) Windshield wire works well, but if you want to save your windshield, you might get a pack of guitar wire and use the solid (not wrapped) string. This way you won't chip or gouge the edge of the windshield like the braided windshield wire seems to want to do. Nicks on the edge of the windshield are a key source of cracking even later on.
2) Wrap the wire around two dowels you can use as handles.
3) Take off as much trim as you can
4) Have a friend handy to help lift off.
Like they said, they're tough and I've hauled numerous windshields around in my truck and in the back of my Caddy and never br0ken any.
Good luck,
Mark G
1) Windshield wire works well, but if you want to save your windshield, you might get a pack of guitar wire and use the solid (not wrapped) string. This way you won't chip or gouge the edge of the windshield like the braided windshield wire seems to want to do. Nicks on the edge of the windshield are a key source of cracking even later on.
2) Wrap the wire around two dowels you can use as handles.
3) Take off as much trim as you can
4) Have a friend handy to help lift off.
Like they said, they're tough and I've hauled numerous windshields around in my truck and in the back of my Caddy and never br0ken any.
Good luck,
Mark G
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 5
From: South of London, Engerland
I got the windshield out of my '76 at the weekend by cutting around the perimeter with a serrated knife. It was hard work but the glass didn't break.
Few more pics here:
http://www.corvetteclub.org.uk/viewt...5429&start=470
I just searched for info about the trim clips and found this thread. Haven't got the answer I need yet
Few more pics here:
http://www.corvetteclub.org.uk/viewt...5429&start=470
I just searched for info about the trim clips and found this thread. Haven't got the answer I need yet
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 6
From: Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '12
(LOL)
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 789
Likes: 0
From: Centerville Ga
When I was in Okinawa a trap door from the 5th floor blew off the roof during a typhoon & smashed my windshield on my 75. I took a hop to california & got a windshield for like $125. & made a crate for it & had the air force put it on the plane for free. I used like this silicon stuff to put under the windshield & I didn't put enough I guess & I had a gap about 1/2 inch between the glass & the molding.
1984, 2005, broken, c3, corvette, frame, install, installseries, removal, remove, trim, windsheild, windshield, windshiled, wiper, wire
