I had a bad experience with a windshield install today, and need to straighten out some stuff.

First, they removed the stock seal at the base of the windshield and didn't replace it with anything. The stock seal looks simply like sticky-back weatherstripping you'd get at Home Depot.

1.) Is this part necessary? (I think it's #2 on the first page I attached.)

2.) If so, will installing it require removing the windshield again? (Whatever it does, it was very flattened down the middle as if it had been sandwiched between to parts originally.)


Also they gouged and bent the metal weatherstrip retainers on the A-pillars, (I think it's part #2 on the 2nd page)

3.) Is this to be expected? or due to bad workmanship? (Of course they didn't consult me prior, they just pryed them off THEN came and asked me if it was ok that they were damaged. Looks like water would just pour in between them and the glass, you can actually see the side edges of the glass.)

4.) Are these parts still available? (I'll give Superior Chevy a call in the morning.)


And lastly, I provided them with new weatherstripping from Willcox, and I'm not sure they got it glued in the right spot, because it's bulging up and out at the top over the plastic A-pillar trim, so whatever retainer is supposed to hold it in is missing (part #18 on 1st page), and I can see daylight through the weatherstripping and the targa top won't go back on. I might be able to put the weatherstripping in correctly with some finesse, but...

5.) If I have to, can I remove and reposition and reglue the new weatherstripping without damaging it? or do I need a new piece?

Here's the Parts book pages...




Thanks in advance. I'll deal with these guys tomorrow, but want to make sure I know what I'm talking about.

 

First, I am not a glass installer. Second, I just had a new windshield installed and spent time with the two installers, both with over 25 years experience. The 'black sealer' at the base of the windshield is not a rubber gasket, it is a silicone sealer. They should not have bent the metal channels and you should neither see daylight, nor have problems installing the targa top. The A pillar weatherstripping around the windshield is not glued in. It is held in place by properly being 'squeezed' into the tracks on the metal channels. It sounds like they did a hurry up butcher job on your vette. The two experienced men that did mine took 2 1/2 hours (total of 5 man hours) and were very meticulous. I also waited about two weeks and then ran a very thin bead of black silicone around where the metal meets the windshield to further seal it. You can not even see that bead, put it does help seal it as I want to be sure no moisture is penetrating on the A frame.
I have no leaks, looks like factory new, etc. On the other hand it sounds like you got a 'butcher job'. Hope they make it right for you.

 

They took about 2-1/2 hours to come up with this. That included scraping off the old glue and littering my whole car with it. I ran out there and stopped them as they were trying to jam the dash pad in place. They bent the styrofoam on it a little, but the vinyl covering didn't crack.

I removed it beforehand so they wouldn't damage it up, but they couldn't leave well enough alone and tried installing it.

 

I believe you are talking about two different parts. There is a foam type of seal that fits between the windshield and the dash. I dont think it actually seals anything, I think it is just more of a trim peice, and yes the windshield must be out to install it properly.
Roy

 

Here's the lower seal I'm talking about. It's definitely foam. It was cracked with age and I think I recall seeing the same on other C4's.

Does it just stick to the windshield and just seal against the dashboard? Surely GM put it there for some reason.

Or is it possible that my windshield has been changed before I got the car? The old weatherstrip looked like it was glued on, they were scraping it off for awhile.

 

Andy,
I have been considering a new windshield for mine. Who installed yours and what was the cost?

 

Maybe my expectations are too high. They tried bending the retainers back straight by hand, but they're not on all the way and bowed out. Here's some photos:

 

That's an incredibly crappy job. They need to replace the hard parts they damaged. If they'd come to you first and said "these are probably going to have to be replaced" then that would be different.

From what I've read on here the bottom rubber seal does require removal of the windshield. My dash is out currently and I'm pretty sure I can't remove that seal.

The "weatherstrip" - are you referrring to the A pillar seal? If so, then if you can get it off before the glue has completely set you might be able to remove it without damage, but once the glue is set it's going to rip. I used no glue when I replaced mine a few years ago and have had no problems.

I go through USAA when I need a w/s replaced, because they have their list of installers, and they guarantee the work. Haven't had anything go wrong, but I'd rather deal with USAA than the glass company if something does.

 

That is COMLETELY UNACCEPTABLE! Get on the phone tomorrow and raise some hell, Kevin.

 

I think that foam piece, if it’s the one I am thinking of, is like someone said a trim piece. They should have run a bead of some glue around the frame before putting the glass in place. Even though its probably just there for looks I think I would like to have it replaced if I where you and sense your going to have to have everything else completely redone to stop the river of water that’s going to pour into your car you might as well. When I removed the weather stripping channels from my car I bent them up a little bit but was able to straiten them out to fit very nicely. Yours look like they may be totaled so you might be looking at getting new ones, I hear they are not cheep so I hope the shop pays for them.

 

I expect they will question the weatherstripping I provided.


Do any of you have an opinion about Willcox weatherstrip? I had the installer check it out before using it and didn't have any issue with it.

 

Try to PM Glasman66. I haven't seen his work (he's local to me and happens to be in the business) but from his comments in the past, I'm pretty sure he is familiar with the C4 quirks.

I was about to add that I haven't seen him here in a while, but his profile shows a recent post.

 

Why did they have to remove the dash pad? That doesn't make any sense. When I had my windshield replaced years ago.. I was there watching them do it throughout the process. They didn't even have to touch the dash. They even resused the old weatherstrip as well. My only complaint with the install was that the VIN window is not on center with the VIN #. The glass fits good and snug.. however the VIN window is just a little more to the left of the drivers side than sitting on the VIN squarely. The numbers are not obstructed in any way, it just how the glass was made by the company.

 

Wow Kevin, that is only ugly hack job
That trim is available. They replaced my trim and weatherstrip when they(Speedy Auto Glass) did my windshield. They did a great job doing mine but informed me after, that my insurance company will not be covering the cost of the trim. They said I owed them another $700 for the trim. I explained to them that I didn't request the trim and they could take it off, but if they F up my weatherstrip in the process, they best have another new one ready. The manager called me back and so no worries, our fault, the trim will stay on. I don't believe the trim was GM but looks just like the original.
If I were you, I would be having that company redo the nightmare and install new trim.

 

Sorry I just got your message.

1. The foam is at the base of the winsheild w/s to keep engine noise down.

2. No you can not install the foam after the windshield is in.

3 Those side mouldings are a gigantic pain in the butt. Sometimes the foctory or the last installer glues them in to the point that tey will get destroyed on the way out.

However a good intaller will do their damndest to get them out in one piece, if I can't I'll show the customer sa I'm doing the job.

4. The weatherstripping should be secure with no bumps at all, and no you should not be able to see light through it.

These cars are a major PITA to do and do right. Take the car back and say you're not satified. I'd see if they'd eat or at least split the cost of the side mouldings, you can get them from GM.


I would not worry too much about the foam it is up to you on how factory you want to keep your car.

 

HOLY CRAP I JUST REVIEW THE POST AND SAW THE PICS. THESE GUYS SUCK.

GET YOUR MONEY BACK AND DON'T LET THEM TOUCH YOU CAR AGAIN!

Go to your chevy dealer and see who they use and make sure the installer has done a few before.

I only use GM weatherstripping on my cars, but the one you have looks okay.

 

The problem with that it might cost me significantly more to repair their damage than I paid them in the first place, if I have to buy weatherstrip again and those moldings, not to mention paying someone else to reinstall the glass if that is necessary.


I'll give you guys an update after I talk with the manager today. I did pay with Credit Card to get the guys out of there because they were interrupting me continuously in my work meeting, and didn't check it out closely until after work.


87vette, I removed the dashpad beforehand so they couldn't possibly damage it. Yet they picked it up anyways and tried jamming it into the A-pillars from the front w/ windshield out. I looked at it closer this morning at it IS cracked across the bottom. There's a possibilty it was cracked before as I didn't inspect it closely beforehand, but I've had the dash off many times.

On that subject...

6.) What kind of glue works well on styrofoam?


7.) what's the story on scratched window frames and rusting/rotting out? Is this something I can check or is it too late with the windshield in?

8.) Another forum member mentioned a GM seal that goes between the weatherstrip "retainer" and the reveal molding on the A-pillars. (But that the header retainer and reveal are riveted together as one piece.) Is this something I need to purchase? Or are there off the shelf sealers that are typically used? I can't find any mention of it in the parts manual. Is it this rubber/plastic thin strip in the pic below? What does that seal if the windshield is already glued in place?

 

You can take them off and try to straighten them carefully (phillips and torx screws). They bend (and kink) pretty easy. I know its a pita since you already paid a "pro" to do this, but you probably can re-align them and get them pretty close. Just takes time.The new ones ARE very expensive. I've had similar problems with the A piller weatherstrip (not from Wilcox, haven't used them.) You can "massage" them a lot of them to get them to fit better. Use wetherstrip adhesive (very sparingly).

 

Kevin,
I had my windshield replaced eighteen months ago and was very pleased with the results.
You and I need to get our cars together and compare the jobs. PM me.

Larry
code5coupe

 

I was about to PM this thread to you, I think you and one other had recommened Safelite, but I'm guessing you probably won't want to do again. I'll expect a full reimbursement in the mail from you shortly. Seriously though, where do you live? I'm in Mira Mesa, I'd like to stop by and see what its supposed to look like.