On an 86 coupe...
I have been quoted $510. It was said the reason for the expense was that there is a special non-reusable gasket that surrounds this windshield.

Is there a cheaper source for this part (and perhaps the glass too)

Also, is this a DIY job or more of an artform? I have never done this before.

Thanks in advance...

 

I paid around that for a new windshield with new seal. The new seal is a good idea to prevent leaks.

You could do it yourself (no magic) but it would take two people to handle the windshield. But I wouldn't attempt it without a GM Shop Manual and the proper tools & materials, as suggested therein.

 

Just Replaced the windshield in the 93 last week.

$289 for the windshield and installation from a reputable glass company.
I had purchased the gasket/seal from GM ahead of time at a cost $200 and change. So it sounds like you paid the right price.
( I cant believe what GM charges for the gasket/seal)

 

What gasket/seal am I needing?

I called the local checy dealer parts dept and they had:
2 side moldings @ $194.33 ea
Upper molding @ $210.33

Which one of these did you buy ahead of time? Also, is there an aftermarket choice for these or are they only avilable from GM?

 

I suspect a coupe is different. For the Vert , the seal I purchased was a U shaped 1 piece unit that covered the top of the windshield and both sides. There is probably an aftermarket available, but I did not want to chance any leaks.

 

Windshield replacement on a C4 is not a DIY job. Trust me on this one. The seal/gasket that is being referred to is the weatherstrip that is on the outside of your windshield frame. There is no gasket between the windshield and the frame. There is adhesive between the windshield and the frame. The reason for this extra cost is the installer must remove the weatherstrip in order to remove the trim that surrounds the windshield. If your weatherstrip is trash, then it's time to replace it. You don't have to have the glass shop do this. You can buy your own and install it after the windshield is installed if you feel confident doing this. This weatherstrip fits into a retainer on the top of the windshield and fits into retainers on the side of the windshield frame. On the sides the weatherstrip retainer screwes through the windshield trim (the black trim you see from the front of the windshield). The only way to remove these retainers and trim is to remove the weatherstrip. The installer is being paid by the job. They don't care about your weatherstripping whether it's good or bad. They're going to tear it out and scrape the remaining weatherstrip and adhesive out of the channels of the retainers. Then they can remove them and then cut the windshield out of the frame with special windshield removal tools. They'll install the new glass with adhesive and while the adhesive is still wet they are going to reinstall the windshield trim and weatherstrip retainers. If you decide to remove and replace the weatherstrip yourself it's very important that you don't remove the retainers and trim off the car. The installer needs these parts to "set" the windshield depth in the frame. After they are reinstalled the new weatherstrip is added. You can buy the weatherstrip and install it yourself. Or if you have a new weatherstrip already installed you can carefully remove it, it will tear in a few places, and reinstall it later with weatherstrip adhesive or a urethane adhesive usually available at the glass shop.

Art

 

BTW, the screws that hold the weatherstrip retainers/mouldings and the windshield trim is under the weatherstrip. This is why the weatherstrip is removed.

Art

 

 

I have been replacing auto glass for ten years. I own my own shop and I'll tell you right now these cars are a flat out BITCH to do right.

Only use GM weather stripping on these. I learned my lesson on that with my own car.

The GM engineers did the glass installers no favor when they came use with the C4 design.

There is adhesive behind the weather stripping the hides screws, the side and top metal mouldings get glued, so you hjave to be real careful not to f them all up.

If I never have to do another C$ it will be too soon.

That about it.

 

I had my windshield replaced last June by a guy who does the job in your driveway. He has his own shop and has been in the business for 25 years. I have to agree with MrRenoman's post, it is not a DIY job.

In my case the guy who did the job made it his last appointment for the day so he wouldn't be in any rush and per our PRIOR AGREEMENT (so he could adjust his labor time charge) he was to be very careful to not tear the original weatherstrip. He was extremely good, but being 18 years old (yours is 20) the weatherstrip tore slightly at one corner anyway. It wasn't anything a little weatherstrip trim adhesive wouldn't fix so no harm done.

As MrRenoman says you can install new weatherstrip yourself later if necessary and I agree that that could be done as a DIY project. If I had it to over again I'd probably buy new weatherstrip and have the installer put it in at the same time. A good installer has the experienced "touch" for this that makes the job fast and neat.

So far however, the slight tear is almost invisible and I haven't had to buy new weatherstrip so I'm pretty darn satisfied. My costs were Windshield $194.46, Labor $95.00, Adhesive $19.00, Tax $16.54 = Total $325.00

Work was done by Jim Bruton of Bruton's Glass Co., Citrus Heights, CA 916-969-5565