tjvette90

Beautiful drive yesterday until large rock made contact with windshield and now needs to be replaced.

Planning on replacing with regular C4 windshield rather than an expen$ive original (if I could even find one) but not sure how to find a good installer. Insurance covering this so it's up to me where to have done. I live in central NJ so lots of choices. Worried about getting the proper molding (hear it's not really available) and that the original molding may or may not be reusable. Could use some feedback, otherwise thought that I'd just call a few of the big windshield replacement firms and see if anyone has ever done a C4 replacement.

Thanks, in advance for your suggestions!

vettespecial

Hi, been thru this 2 yrs ago mine had a large crack too. If you are able to i would do the prep work yourself, chances of getting some one
who has done one recent are slim. I got mine ready for new glass myself
if your front piller weatherstripping is bad now is the time to replace it.
remove the targa top, mirror, inside windshield trim, sunvisers. outside remove both wiper arms, if your weather strip is worn and old, tear it out
clean and locate all the screws that hold your outside trim to the frames.
left and right have screws the top if i remember is secured in place by the side ones. be carefull with these they are rare. of course i also masked and protected dash and interior removing weather strip is messy.
Have your glass replaced, on site or at shop i took mine to a local place just drove it down weather good. while your outside trim is out clean,prep and repaint it worst part is cleaning of old weatherstrip.
Best place to get weatherstrip is WILCOX and they have good phone support. Live well.

tjvette90

Thanks! Weatherstripping is very good except in one place, so not sure I want to replace it at this point, unless I need to remove it to get to the trim screws. Will check the FSM for details. Thanks for your help!

Z51JEFF

When I did one years ago from what I remember the weather stripping will be destroyed getting the windshield out of the car. I do believe the trim has double back tape in addition to the screws. Keep in mind that the holes for the screws were drilled at the time the trim was put on the car so if you damage any of the trim,the holes in a replacement won't line up.

Paul Workman

U want to find a shop w/ someone familiar/experienced with the C4 w/s. They're more involved than most others.

Safelite may be able to do your w/s, but I recommend you get your rubber from Corvette Rubber.com It's the real deal, far as OEM texture goes. (The stuff Safelite had initially intended to use was quite firm - nothing like OEM rubber.

There are a few scattered ZR-1 specialists that can supply you with a replica ZR-1 w/s. The going price may be quite high - $2500+ labor is what I've heard. HOWEVER, if you're car is NOT an NCRS candidate, the standard w/s with the stock type tinting is VERY satisfactory, I find. And the cost (depending on the shop) more in the $250 price range for the w/s plus installation. (I supplied the rubber from Corvette Rubber, and out the door my w/s was $450. I'm VERY please with it. Beautiful.

ghlkal

I can echo Paul's comments.

I had safelite install a regular C4 windshield. The owner at the location near me had done a number of C4 windshields. I supplied some good weather stripping.

I'm happy with the results.

HAWAIIZR-1

http://www.zr1windshield.com/

I can highly recommend a new replacement like the original. If you have insurance coverage, everything will be taken care of including the weatherstrip and trim. I almost went with the standard C4 windshield and could have pocketed a few grand since they gave me $3,600, but opted to keep an original appearance despite not NOS or NCRS. Not LOF, but I think they failed and these replacements are from Saint Gobain who made the GM replacement part for our cars. Best wishes for a good resolution. Mine was just delaminated and I did not like how it made an otherwise perfect Z look bad.


Outdoor in sunlight.
Indoor installed.

Dynomite

Replaced Windshield.
I bought a New Windshield and weather stripping for a 1990 ZR-1 and had the Windshield replaced by Safelite (I specifically said I did not need a warranty since I was furnishing the molding as well as the windshield).

Windshield BEFORE Replacement showing severe Delamination.


Safelite installed a Windshield and Weather stripping in a 1990 ZR-1 for $150. I furnished the Windshield and Weather Stripping

This is number 72 one of the first 1990s built.
I also have the last 1990 ZR-1 sold to public (#3032) and it has no windshield issues.

Safelite did a Perfect Job

I got the Windshield and Weather Stripping from David Johnson (LT5corsa) and have to say the Windshield is perfect in every way as is the Weather Stripping. Safelite was pleasantly surprised how good this Windshield Installation ended ....and they have done other Windshield Installations on Corvettes with Windshields and Weather Stripping they have provided themselves (This was the best they had seen).

This is BEFORE and AFTER photos




Replacing the Windshield and Wiper Motor

tjvette90

Interesting as I called our local Safelite and he said he didn't do Corvettes. I did fins someone who will do it and seems to know what is involved. Local Chevy dealer uses him.

Thanks for your response!

tjvette90

Thanks. Planning on just a standard C4 windshield. Car NOT a NCRS candidate, I dont believe.

UGABUGA

Hi, I'm having problems finding the metal frame for the new windshield on my 96 coupe. Safelite don't want to do it the replacement because they can't find this metal frame.
Where did u find it for sale?
Thx

Paul Workman

Safelite attempted to use the metal frame they supplied, but the fit was far from perfect.

I ended up reusing my frame. I brought the tools and solvents w/ me when I took the car to Safelite to have the w/s replaced. Glad I did, as it turns out.