I have had 2 windshields replaced by pros and they both leaked 2 different cars, I am a little gun shy even though the vette needs a new one ( a small chip that bugs the heck out of me) just my 2 cents :cheers:

 

What the hell are you guys talking about. You seriously think you can go out buy a shield and grab some urethane and replace a windshiled.

This is like a guy using a stereo thinking he could wire a circuit panel because he watched a guy solder before.


Sure you'll save some money but the problem comes not when it is raining and the install starts leaking.

The problem come when you are in a car accident and the air bag goes off and the winshield goes flying thirty feet into the air and you passanger is thrown into the middle of the accident.

Or the car rolls over and the occupants are crushed because there is not rigitity to the roof and A pillars.

The windshield is bonded by high performance urethane and primers that must be used in accordance with these:

Federal Motor Vehicle Saftey Standards (sound important? Its the law)

FMVSS 205

This standard is for the use of laminated glass on all windshields

FMVSS 208

This covers the use of all safety requirements for the protection of occupants, that no engineered saftey component is disabled

FMVSS 212

Standard states that a winshield must stay in place in a frontal collision at 30 mph with the use of 50 percentile dummies

FMVSS 216 Roof Crush Resistance

The vehicle must be able to support a 5000 pound block or a block equal to half the weight of the vehicle which ever is less. The roof is allowed to cave 1.5 inches in this test.

We install 15-20 windshields a day. I see shody workmenship from people who do this for a living. Trust me this is not a job for the backyard mechanic.

Check us out at http://www.AAAautoglassDENVER.com

Sorry, I came across like a jerk, and I felt the need to edit my post.




[Modified by Glasman66, 7:26 PM 4/3/2003]

 

I just paid $65 to have a Pro do the w/shield on my kid's B2. Best $65 I ever spent. Having said that, now that I've seen it done I'm sure I could do it.

There is a special tool/knife they use. Hot knife (obvious - to melt the old \sealant) or cold knife to just cut it. Also has a bit to unclip the trim without bending it.

He got the trim off w/out bending it. It doesn't bend back to shape very well. I know I'd have mucked it up w/out the tool.

I did make a mistake though. I bought a used shield from a yard for about $50. The Pro told me new one's are about $65. Same as the Ranger so they make tons of them. Should have priced a new one first.

Either way good luck, but get several prices on the Pro first, then find out what YOU can buy the glass for - may be diff price. Then how much for the tool. Then how much for new trim if you bend it. Then how much is your time worth? Figure half a day min.

Personally it doesn't look like one of those fun jobs. But to each his own.

See Ya. :flag


[Modified by froggy47, 8:38 PM 4/2/2003]

 

Ummm, you should be wearing your seatbelt. If not its your own fault for going thru my windshield.

My Vette is a convertible. Unless the windshield is made out of Titanium its not going to support a 3500 pound car.

 

Sorry about my snide remark Ibeam.

Ummm, you should be wearing your seatbelt. If not its your own fault for going thru my windshield.

The seat belt is considered a secondary safety restraint the winshield is the primary restraint. Because even though it helps natural selection, ie Darwins theory of natural selection, the government forced auto makers to keep occupant inside the vehicle during an accident.

My Vette is a convertible. Unless the windshield is made out of Titanium its not going to support a 3500 pound car.

Convetibles are not included in FMVSS 216, they figure if you roll the car your dead or pretty jacked up. Oh and any vehicle over 10000 lbs is excluded.

Look these up if you want, these laws are there and are written for the general population's protection. Auto glass companies are sued for not following them when a windshield does not perform its job.


[Modified by Glasman66, 7:28 PM 4/3/2003]

 

The windshield is going to keep you in the car? So the airbag and seat belts wont? I don't get it? 1000's of shops install glass, are they all wrong?
Most shops use the same sealer. Why would a Corvette be any different than any other car?
Some people just don't want to do the job themselves. You get some very strange replys on this forum.

 

Hi Glassman

My answers were defiantly not meant as jabs, and I apologize if they came across that way.
I understand the windshield is there as a safety item, and if we didn’t have the federal laws to enforce it a lot more people would probably be dead to today because of it, but I don’t think that should stop the home mechanic from experimenting. Maybe some local community colleges offer a class that will cover the proper installation of a windshield.

I guess im just the type that thinks if someone else can do it I can do it too, but in the same note you have to know your limitations. If someone asked me to build a rocket. I wouldn’t know where to begin or how to start, and subsequently would not attempt such a feat.

 

You're calling us stupid then get bent out of shape when somebody "jabs" you? Calm down chief.

My father runs a body shop that also installs windshields. He's done it for 30 years. I've done plenty myself, so I'm not just speaking from 2nd hand experience. When you use the right materials, and you have the proper experience, it is that easy.

I'm perfectly aware of the dangers, and I'm also aware of the laws. I can't speak for the others in this thread, but I wasn't suggesting that somebody goes to a hardware store and buys a sheet of flat glass and and tube of silicone caulk. Anybody that is going to do this absolutely needs to make sure he has the proper materials and that he's doing it right, but this IS NOT rocket science. It's glass and glue.

Your knowledge of federal motor vehicle safety standards is impressive, but I think you're over doing it. I'm not even aware of any company that sells non-laminated windshields for modern motor vehicles, at least not the companies that my glass comes from. I'm also not aware of any glass installation facility that's going to involve my car in a 30mph crash, or drop a 5,000lb block on my roof before returning my car to me. All that can be done at the point of installation is making sure that proper installation materials and techniques are used. Nothing more.


[Modified by Jim85IROC, 1:11 PM 4/3/2003]

 

:seeya Just my $ .02 worth.... use a GM type soft gasket. Insurance job did mine with an after- market seal, and it still leaks a little after I've worked on it a lot. The hard ones won't allow the window to close, or seal properly.

 

Red wing I think you missed what I was saying.

A a glass shop we use special urethanes that can not be bought by the average consumer.

The air bag will not keep you in the car if you don't wear a seat belt. The best examle was the football player for the KC Chiefs that got killed 2 or three years ago. He did not wear the seat belt and went right by the air bag.

Auto manufacturers assume that you will not wear your seat belt that is why the windshiled is the primary safety restaint. They want you to wear the seat belt, knowing that is is the best way to remain un injured , but if you don't they also don't want you to fly out of the car into the middle of the accident.

 

Sorry Ibeam.

The truth of the matter is that the installation process is not that hard. A safe installation on the other hand take great care and understanding of the chemicals that the installer is using.

I agree with you, I like taking a stab at a lot of things that people usually let pros do.

In the old days where windshields were installed with butyl or just a gasket, I'd say have at it, but todays cars are just so much more adavanced.

Sorry I came across like pric#. :D

 

You're calling us stupid then get bent out of shape when somebody "jabs" you? Calm down chief.

My father runs a body shop that also installs windshields. He's done it for 30 years. I've done plenty myself, so I'm not just speaking from 2nd hand experience. When you use the right materials, and you have the proper experience, it is that easy.

I'm perfectly aware of the dangers, and I'm also aware of the laws. I can't speak for the others in this thread, but I wasn't suggesting that somebody goes to a hardware store and buys a sheet of flat glass and and tube of silicone caulk. Anybody that is going to do this absolutely needs to make sure he has the proper materials and that he's doing it right, but this IS NOT rocket science. It's glass and glue.

I did not say it was rocket science, I'm saying it is iladvised to do. And no I did not say we go out and test your vehicle to figure out if the glass was installed properl

When there is a traffic fatality the first thing the investigators look at is windshield retention.

I've seen shops still using butyl on new installs, this is illegal. I'm just trying to save someone from making a big misake.

If you were installing at a body shop that is a whole different deal, if you follow the recommended instuctions your fine.

[Modified by Jim85IROC, 1:11 PM 4/3/2003][/QUOTE]

 

Hey Glassman

Some of us might already have the mindset that we’re going to perform this windshield replacement project.
Maybe you can give us some advice on what materials to purchase, or inform us on some common pitfalls.

I found a website that sells all kinds of cool stuff. Can you give us your professional pointers?


http://www.glass.org/

 

Ok, you guys who had your front windshields replaced for 150-160
- are we talking about the windshield in your C4? If so, then I wanna
know how this could possibly be.

In addition to the glass, replacement of a windshield on a C4 usually
also requires replacement of a number of EXPENSIVE seals and trim parts.
Here's the list, c/w GM part numbers.

1 pc - pn# 10236368 SEAL W/S $23.00 (34.60 CDN)
1 pc - pn# 10268887 W/S RF/LI $302.00 (465.00 CDN)
1 pc - pn# 14049243 RET ASSM $37.00 (56.70 CDN)
1 pc - pn# 14049244 RET ASSM $37.00 (56.70 CDN)
1 pc - pn# 14049033 MLDG $200.00 (307.25 CDN)
1 pc - pn# 14049031 MLDG $143.00 (219.50 CDN)
1 pc - pn# 14049032 MLDG $143.00 (219.50 CDN)

These are based on Canadian retail prices (as of June/02)
adjusted at a .65 exchange rate. Yes, you can probably
get 20% off for trade discount - but you'll still be a long
way away from 160.00 and the parts above do not include
the glass. (I'm curious as to how close my conversion is
so how about someone calling up their dealer for quotes?).

Cars in my part of the world are stored inside for 6+ mo's
of the year and when they are out, they don't have to endure
the same kind of environmental abuse (heat & ect.) that cars
further south do. So the rubber doesn't age as fast, but it still
is pretty much shot after 10+ years and it doesn't make much
sense reusing it.

The metal trim parts are pretty delicate and subject to damage.
Crinkles are going to be really obvious if you try to put it on
again after tweaking one of these.

Bottom line, parts are going to cost more than you think whether
you do it yourself or have someone else do the work.

As to whether to DIY, I wouldn't. The reasons have already been
pointed out here by others. Just the same, if you want to check out
another resource with how-to information, have a look at "Corvette
Water Leak and Wind Noise Solutions" by Michael Davis.

Good luck...


[Modified by Slalom4me, 6:02 AM 4/4/2003]


[Modified by Slalom4me, 6:03 AM 4/4/2003]

 

I agree withg you.

I got out my copy of the Corvette bible last night and read over the installaiton of a the winshiled. I is actually quite complete as is most processes in the shop manual.

Here are the pitfalls of replaceing you own glass.

1. You'll first have to buy a windshield. DO NOT BUY USED GLASS. The reason is that the edge of the glass where the old urethane is not considered a good bonding surface. Not to mention when the windshield is removed there maybe chips in the edge from the removal process and this is where crack can form.

2. Buy the newest installation kit that Chevy sells.

3. Buy a cold knife. This is the angled blade we use to remove a windshield.

4 Take you time. My first windshield I did took 2.5 hours. Mind you I had no idea what I was doing, also keepin mind that this was on a Corsica (what is considered an easy car to do).

5. Follow all directions to the letter.

6. Buy non powdered rubber gloves. You'll use these to set the glass so your oils from your hand will not contaminate the eadge of the glass.

7. Do a test fit before you lay glue. This will help you set the glass in the right place.

8. Wear heavy work gloves. I takes nothing for a tool to break free of the glass and cut the hell out of you.

To answer the post just befor this. I have no idea how they had windshiled done that cheap. If they did the rubber was reused, which can be done. It does not always look good when your done if you reuse it.

When you get estimates, don't use the low man in the hole. This usally nver mean a quality job.

 

Glasman, a little tip............use the "Quote original post" tab when quoting someone. It makes it a whole easier to read the response :yesnod:

BTW, I think I'll continue to rely on my seat belt to keep me in the car...........I've seen too many people's bodies sticking out of windshields to depend on them. :yesnod:

 

If you try it once and fail, then it's just a wasted time. If you let someone who does it for a living do it, then they're liable for problems, not you.

 

Do you think I just made all of this up?
You honestly believe any installer can do a good job?
If you want to lead the poster to believe anyone can install the windshield, by all means help yourself. I on the other hand won't.


[Modified by ConeKLR, 2:07 AM 4/6/2003]