Behind the c4 windshield is a molding that needs to be replaced with the windshield. Apparently it isolates the windshield from the shaking of the frame. I have been quoted over $230 for this molding from the GM dealer and the local windshield repair operation. Does anyone know if there is an aftermarket molding available at a more reasonable price?
Thanks
Roy

 

It's the weatherstrip retainer which is a channel that is sealed, glued and attached with screws to the windshield frame that the w/strip fits in. They can be removed and successfully reused if you are careful not to bend it trying to get it to come off and take the time to clean and remove all the old urethane sealant. Problem is most w/shield techs need to be able to quickly replace a windshield if they are going to be profitable doing it and this means ripping the old w/strip retainer off and having a new one there ready to go or they will not make any money on your job.

 

is there a picture or drawing somewhere?

 

I believe you are referring to the A pillar molding that goes up the sides of the doors, across the top, and serves as the seal for the targa top. I have already succesfully removed that.
From what I am told and the picture I was shown the molding I am talking about is behind the windshield and serves as the seal between it and the frame.
Roy

 

There are several seals and some trim moldings that will be required
for a thorough windshield replacement job.

Here's the list again with prices from GMPD as of 2006-01-07

p/n 14049243 GM LIST: $37.97 OUR PRICE: $22.41 DESCRIPTION: RET ASM
p/n 14049244 GM LIST: $37.97 OUR PRICE: $22.41 DESCRIPTION: RET ASM
p/n 10236368 GM LIST: $23.80 OUR PRICE: $14.00 DESCRIPTION: WINDSHIELD SEAL
p/n 10268887 GM LIST: $322.10 OUR PRICE: $190.04 DESCRIPTION: W/S RF/LI
p/n 14049033 GM LIST: $217.95 OUR PRICE: $128.59 DESCRIPTION: UPPER WINDSHIELD MOLDING
p/n 14049031 GM LIST: $172.98 OUR PRICE: $102.06 DESCRIPTION: LEFT SIDE WINDSHIELD MOLDING
p/n 14049032 GM LIST: $172.98 OUR PRICE: $102.06 DESCRIPTION: RIGHT SIDE WINDSHIELD MOLDING

A quickie windshield replacement can be done where the shop may
salvage all the existing seals and just use plenty of adhesive to
put in the new glass the first time. According to those who claim
to know, the second replacement is harder and the trim may be
more likely to be damaged because the adhesive bonds to it.

There has been a lot of comment about windshields. Z51Jeff has
some great photos of a job he did preparing his car. If you have
the time and interest to plow through them, the following threads
may be helpful.

Having your windshield replaced? Please read this EVERYONE READ THIS POST - Look for VtVette & MrRenoman's post

Anyone know about different brands of windshields???? - Look for Z51Jeff's posts ...

Winshield Replacement Questions - Watch for Glasman66's post's

Replace your own windshield? - Watch for Glasman66's post's

 

"A" pillar w/shield reveal moldings and "A" pillar w/strip retainers are two separate parts. "A" pillar reveal moldings have to be removed of course but w/strip retainers on each "A" pillar do not have to be removed in order to replace the w/shield. W/shield top reveal molding is a different story; it is riveted to the top w/strip retainer to make up one piece. It has to be pulled to get the w/shield out. If you bend it you need a $200 additional part.

 

Thanks for all those links and that info. Just to clarify, I already have everything removed and the frame ready to go for the new windshield. I was able to save all of the metal moldings and am aware of the rubber ones that need replaced.
In the link, "windshield replacement questions" it appears the question was about the same molding (perhaps I should call it a seal) I am asking about. The fellow refers to it as an "inner frame seal" and his question never really got answered. When I talked to glass companys and the dealer, One glass company and my local chev dealer both said I needed to replace this "inner frame seal". Two other glass companies never mentioned it which leads me to believe they are just going to glue the windshield in the conventional way.
I would rather not pay $230 for this seal if it is available aftermarket at a more reasonable price or if installing the windshield in a conventional manner is an acceptable solution.
So lets just talk about this seal, not all of the other moldings, I have got them under control.
Thanks
Roy

 

The glass company I used cleaned and re-used the metal parts...but they installed an after market seal, they're more firm than OEM...and it leaked, they then installed a OEM and everything is good....3-4 years ago.

 

Anybody can replace C4 weatherstrips and or windshields but not just anyone can do the job successfully so that it will not leak afterwards. Lots of C4s running around out there with new weatherstrips that still leak due to taking short cuts or just plain short on experience.

 

I've heard of an inner frame seal and seen it listed in parts manuals, there is no such thing. In some ordering guides there may be some type of mention of a seal. Basically the windshield sits in the windshield frame in a bed of urethane adhesive. This adhesive is bonded to the windshield and the windshield frame. Whenever a new windsheld is installed the outer windshield weathrstrip is removed. This is the only piece that needs to be purchased. This is the same piece that I believe is frequently referred to as the inner seal which it is not. It's the outer winshield weatherstrip. This weatherstrip goes across the top and sides of the windshield frame and must be removed. Then the side pillar moulding retainers are removed. These are the pieces the weatherstrip sit in. Then there is a second set of trim moulding on the sides that is removed. These are the windshield trim mouldings you see that sit on the perimeter of the windshield. Then the top weatherstrip retainer/moulding is removed. This is a one piece trim that both holds the weatherstrip and is the windshield trim moulding. All the trim pieces were originally held in with a foam type adhesive tape which must be removed from these pieces. The glass company then cuts through the urethane adhesive that's holding the windshield to the car with special tools. This remaining adhesive that is in the windshield frame is not removed (in most cases) if it's still bonded well to the windshield frame. This old adhesive is re-used and after proper prep a new bead of urethane adhesive is added on top. The new windshield is installed and the trim mouldings and weatherstrip retainers are re-installed with a liquid type adhesive instead of the original foam tape. The installer may use the same urethane adhesive to hold these pieces. It's very important that the installer have these trim pieces at the time of installation. They are used to reset the height of the glass from the frame. After everything is put back together, a new outer weatherstrip is installed. If your old weatherstrip is good and you can successfully remove it prior to windshield replacement it can be re-glued back onto your car. In most cases it isn't, so a new one is installed. This is the most expensive weatherstrip needed on a new install and it's the only one you need. I've seen this frequently referred to as the inner seal. There is another foam type seal that goes between the dashboard and firewall but it shouldn't be confused with the outer windshield weatherstrip or the inner seal (which there is no such thing). The urethane adhesive that holds the windshield to the car is not a part or a seal. It's a liquid adhesive comes out of a tube. There is nothing else except this adhesive between the glass and the windshield frame.

Art