Corvette Windshield Upper Corner Moldings - It appears that there are two screws behind the upper windshield molding in addition to the obvious screws that hold this piece in place. Can someone advise me on how to replace this part? Do you have to remove the winshield trim, and if so should I go to a winshield installer to have this done? I am obviously afraid of bending the winshield trim or cracking the windshield.

 

Hi sgv,
Some times you can reach the screws with the trim off but the glass in place. Depending just how the glass is set you may not be able to reach the screws.
Trying is VERY DANGEROUS because it's SO EASY to just 'knick' the edge of the glass with the screwdriver's shaft. You don't realize it at the time but when you're driving and hit a bump the windshield frame flexes and the crack appears.
Check the price of a new windshield before you decide to try.
Be careful!
Regards,
Alan

 

I am beginning to understand why almost all of the t top cars at car shows have the t tops in place.....Thanks for your reply.

 

Hi sgv,
You're right..not quite all.
Regards,
Alan

 

They are behind the trim piece. Pry up the trim piece, its held in place by retainer clips and probably glue from the windshield. I used a long thin screwdriver and kept prying and didn't bend the top trim piece. One of the screws is behind one of the retainer clips and the other you should be able to see but may have to scrape some of the glue away.
I am in the process of replacing my windshield and its $205 installed if you break it.

 

alans car is always the exception
that car is awesome i cant wait till he shows us the whole car finished

 

Thanks Gentlemen. Nice Alan, NICE. Did you have the rear trim pieces rechromed?

 

Hi sgv,
Yes, the 4 pieces of cast trim are the originals re-chrome plated by Librandi. The larger ss piece was polished and 'flash' chromed... another saga.
I believe the price for the windshield donnie mentions is for the replacement glass. The glass with the logo, date and ASI mark is a bit more (if those things matter to you).
Regards,
Alan

 

What Alan described happened to me.. to eager to glue in the new windshield and forgot the corner pieces. Tried to tighten the screws, the screwdriver shaft crushed the edge of the glass just a tiny bit. Came back a day later and even due to the temp difference (heating turned off and freezing outside) a crack had already developed. How difficult it is to resist, the windshield is now almost at the bottom of the todo list.
Be very carefull & succes,
Nick

 

That price $205 was for a basic windshield installed. Mine is custom so doesn't matter to me.

 

I am sure that Murphys law would take over and the windhield would break. The windshield is not original now, but isn't perfect (has a few scratches).

I will give this some more thought. I think I will go to a windshield place and have them remove the windshield chrome, and then if the worst happens and it will, I can just have them put the a new one in.

My stainless stell piece (the large t shaped piece) has some waving. Has anyone had luck getting one of these staightened and polished?

 

Hi sgv,
Yes, the large ss piece can be straightened easily since there is access to both sides. Polishing it has good results too.
Originally it was 'flash' chromed after it was polished so it would match the 4 pieces of chrome plated trim at each corner. Some people can see the difference in the color of ss compared to chrome plating.
Regards,
Alan

 

You need to remove the upper windshield molding to get to the two screws. Bending or tweaking it will distort this molding. Removal is easy with the correct clip release tool. The T molding on top is another story. If you remove the four screws on top and the three on each side in the middle, you can raise it high enough that you don't have to remove the rear rivets.

The issue is once you get to the heads you are still going to have a problem getting them out. Is it possible.. yes! But you will find it next to impossible to get the new screws in place and/or started. You'll also find it next to impossible to get to the screw heads with a Philips screw driver and this may render you to cut of the heads off the screws to get the top molding off the car.

If you have to do this you'll be fine! Once the upper molding is removed the only major issue you have is breaking the windshield. We use a die grinder with a cut off wheel installed and grind off the top of the head. Then we pull out the old molding.

Once the molding is out and new is ready to go back in... You'll find as mentioned above.. Getting the Phillips head screw in place is also next to impossible and getting a phillips screw drive on them to turn them tight is again.. next to impossible! (With the windshield in the car) Do-able... sure if you cheat a little bit.

If you use the 1/4" head self tapping short screws.. once you get the screw in place you can turn the head with a wrench and not worry about cracking your existing windshield.

Willcox