What is wrong with windshield molding?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 246
Likes: 15
From: Pell City AL
What is wrong with windshield molding?
I recently had the windshield replaced and there is a gap between the molding and top trim. I think this gap existed before but was filled with adhesive. The installer says a piece is missing, but I don't see anything else in the AIM or vendor sites.
When I compare to Alan's picture it looks like the top trim piece is supposed to be under the windshield molding.
When I compare to Alan's picture it looks like the top trim piece is supposed to be under the windshield molding.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,613
Likes: 347
From: No Where USA
Thats a pretty big gap. There should have been clips in there that would have pulled it right up to the top trim. I have some gaps at the top of my side pieces where it meets the windshield. I filled it in with black silicone and it looks fine.
Something isn't right there. He might have set the windshield to low in the frame. Or maybe didn't put enough urethane in there to give it enough height.
Something isn't right there. He might have set the windshield to low in the frame. Or maybe didn't put enough urethane in there to give it enough height.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,627
Likes: 3,098
From: Shamong, NJ
There's no piece missing. Something is wrong with the top of your windshield frame.
It looks like the windshield header has been filled, or built up with something like bondo, causing the header/t-bar molding to be positioned wrong. I suspect that the windshield frame was rotted out on top (a common problem), and a PO "fixed" it by building up the frame with body putty, or maybe some sort of sealer?
I start by removing the t-bar molding, a see what the heck is under it. I'll try to post a picture later, of what the windshield frame should look like.
It looks like the windshield header has been filled, or built up with something like bondo, causing the header/t-bar molding to be positioned wrong. I suspect that the windshield frame was rotted out on top (a common problem), and a PO "fixed" it by building up the frame with body putty, or maybe some sort of sealer?
I start by removing the t-bar molding, a see what the heck is under it. I'll try to post a picture later, of what the windshield frame should look like.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,238
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi o,
I agree that's a pretty miserable and unacceptable fit.
I also agree that it's cause will only be determined when both pieces of trim are removed.
Did you replace the trim or did the windshield installer?
Regards,
Alan
I agree that's a pretty miserable and unacceptable fit.
I also agree that it's cause will only be determined when both pieces of trim are removed.
Did you replace the trim or did the windshield installer?
Regards,
Alan
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I'm wondering if the install didn't use the setting blocks at the bottom of the windshield and it sunk downward. We just had a 73 in here that someone installed the glass and had this problem. When the windshield upper molding was installed, it didn't cover the edge of the glass. I have a picture of this on my computer, let me see if I can find it.
But possibly the guy that installed it lowered the molding to cover the edge of the glass?
Willcox
But possibly the guy that installed it lowered the molding to cover the edge of the glass?
Willcox
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Here are the pictures I took of this car and it sure looks like your molding is in about the same place as the bottom of the gap. You might remove the molding and see if edge of the glass is way to low. If it is I'd be looking up that installer for sure.
The picture below is what happened to one of our customers when they had the glass installed by an independent installer... Now we'll probably have to fix this for him down the road.
The picture below is what happened to one of our customers when they had the glass installed by an independent installer... Now we'll probably have to fix this for him down the road.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
your glass is not installed properly.
I would guess installed by someone with no corvette install experience.
Not only does the glass need to installed squarely in the frame, it needs to be installed at the right height,
OEM install uses old rope type sealant about 3/8" thick.
I bet your guy squirted sealant out of the tube, then the weight of the glass,
let if fall down, into the frame too far.
and don't forget to install/check the top trim clips before the glass is installed,
afterwards the glass is in the way, and you will crack the glass, if you try and mess with them after the glass install.
I would guess installed by someone with no corvette install experience.
Not only does the glass need to installed squarely in the frame, it needs to be installed at the right height,
OEM install uses old rope type sealant about 3/8" thick.
I bet your guy squirted sealant out of the tube, then the weight of the glass,
let if fall down, into the frame too far.
and don't forget to install/check the top trim clips before the glass is installed,
afterwards the glass is in the way, and you will crack the glass, if you try and mess with them after the glass install.
Last edited by 69Vett; May 12, 2014 at 06:37 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 246
Likes: 15
From: Pell City AL
I agree it looks to low. The t-top trim piece cannot reach the windshield. On the bottom there is a quarter inch between the windshield and three supports.
Thanks everyone for helping!
Thanks everyone for helping!
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,238
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi o,
It appears there is a large mass of 'filler' of some sort that is preventing the windshield from being set properly and also preventing all the header chrome plated and stainless steel trim from being installed properly.
Has this headed had a lot of work done to it?
When did the filler get there? Was it part of the windshield installation.
The header should look something like this when the glass is ready to be installed. You can see 3 of the clips that hold the back/upper edge of the long thin piece of trim in place. This should give you an idea of how high up the trim should be. It looks an inch low in your pictures. Also it doesn't look like the large piece of ss trim is 'snapped' in place over the lip across the width of the header. The ss piece must clip over the part of the header that the clips are screwed into.
Regards,
Alan
It appears there is a large mass of 'filler' of some sort that is preventing the windshield from being set properly and also preventing all the header chrome plated and stainless steel trim from being installed properly.
Has this headed had a lot of work done to it?
When did the filler get there? Was it part of the windshield installation.
The header should look something like this when the glass is ready to be installed. You can see 3 of the clips that hold the back/upper edge of the long thin piece of trim in place. This should give you an idea of how high up the trim should be. It looks an inch low in your pictures. Also it doesn't look like the large piece of ss trim is 'snapped' in place over the lip across the width of the header. The ss piece must clip over the part of the header that the clips are screwed into.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 246
Likes: 15
From: Pell City AL
When did the filler get there? Was it part of the windshield installation.
The corner trim pieces is missing
Pull off that upper molding.. that'll tell the tale.
I think the windshield is still to low and possibly recessed. At this point I can't see raising it until I am ready to repair the channel and address all the other gremlins that will pop up during the work (winter project).
Thanks for all the help figuring out what I need to fix.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 252
Likes: 3
Gary