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DIY winsheild replacement.

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Old Mar 14, 2009 | 08:22 PM
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Default DIY winsheild replacement.

My widsheild is smashed from an accident I has last weekend. I have replaced many windshields. Should I give this a try.
Has anyone here done their own and what is involved.
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Old Mar 14, 2009 | 08:24 PM
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Never done one but thats one of the things I leave to the pros. good luck
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Old Mar 14, 2009 | 08:48 PM
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I wouldn't do it, especially on a corvette. I have a local shop who does an install for 50.00 which includes taking out the old and putting in the new. Their quick too, like 15-20 minutes.
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Old Mar 14, 2009 | 09:10 PM
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Why not let you insurance pay for it. Isn't that why you pay for it?
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Old Mar 15, 2009 | 03:37 AM
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The insurance is going to pay for it. I had an accident last weekend where the windshield was smashed. I just wanted and idea what is involved and if it could be done at home. I just hope the insurance company realizes how much it costs to do this job as it was included in the estimate. I don't thing the guy who did the estimate put down the right amount to do it and I didn't think it was as expensive as it is. So I didn't question the amount in the estimate.
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Old Mar 15, 2009 | 08:44 AM
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If the windshield exceeds the estimate then you need to contact the insurance adjuster and have the shop explain the cost to him. That is why it is called an estimate. My hud windshield was $1200 according to the bill submitted to my insurance co. If they refuse to increase the amount then they must provide you with a shop that will meet their quote.
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Old Mar 15, 2009 | 08:53 AM
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Originally Posted by NEVERL8C5
If the windshield exceeds the estimate then you need to contact the insurance adjuster and have the shop explain the cost to him. That is why it is called an estimate. My hud windshield was $1200 according to the bill submitted to my insurance co. If they refuse to increase the amount then they must provide you with a shop that will meet their quote.

I understand all that and I have spoken with my insurance company. I want to know why it is so much more when the windshield is th same price as a normal one. What moldings do they replace?
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Old Mar 15, 2009 | 09:03 AM
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They better replace them all ...if not go somewhere else !
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Old Mar 15, 2009 | 09:04 AM
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Originally Posted by 540 vette
I understand all that and I have spoken with my insurance company. I want to know why it is so much more when the windshield is th same price as a normal one. What moldings do they replace?
The mouldings are the tracks the weatherstripping sits in. Most of the cost in replacing the windshield is in the mouldings and weatherstripping. The winshield itself is only about a third the cost. The labor is minimal so you won't be saving much doing it yourself, plus you won't be getting any warranty. I'd leave it to the pros.
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Old Mar 15, 2009 | 09:13 AM
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Which moldings and weatherstripping.
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Old Mar 15, 2009 | 10:29 AM
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The A pillar weatherstripping and the mouldings that hold it.

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Old Mar 15, 2009 | 10:50 AM
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Why would they have to be replaced.If you take them off carefully you shouldn't have to replace them. Why do they btell you they need replacing?
I checked my car this morning and they come off easily.
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Old Mar 15, 2009 | 10:55 AM
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Best of luck
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Old Mar 15, 2009 | 11:00 AM
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I'm not going to do the windshield but just remove everything that can be removed so the installers can't damage the parts.
I usually do all my own work and don't like people playing with my car. I worked in many dealers through the 70's and 80's.
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Old Mar 15, 2009 | 11:15 AM
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The service manual says replace everything, the glass shops say replace everything, the body shops say replace everything and the insurance companies say replace everything. But it's your car, do what you think is right.
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Old Mar 15, 2009 | 11:24 AM
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You say the insurance is going to pay for it, Why on earth would you do it yourself, Let alone use the old weather stripping?
Just wondering.
Bill K
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Old Mar 15, 2009 | 12:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill K
You say the insurance is going to pay for it, Why on earth would you do it yourself, Let alone use the old weather stripping?
Just wondering.
Bill K
This thread is interesting and bizzare at the same time
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To DIY winsheild replacement.

Old Mar 15, 2009 | 12:38 PM
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Post number 14 says I am not going to do it myself. I want to remove everything that can be damaged by someone in hurry to get my car done.
I am only curious why the moldings have to be replaced. The ones on my car were replaced 4 years ago and are like new if it's the ones pictured.
The insurance company is giving me a settlment on the whole collision job not just the windshield, the windshield is included with the paint and body work.

And I started the thread because I was curious with all the DYIer's here if someone had done one I have done about 20 windshields in my time working on cars and wanted to see why this is a "tough" windshield to do.and what is involved for the extra cost.
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Old Mar 15, 2009 | 01:12 PM
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my dad owns a body shop and replaced the windsheild in my truck for my insurance company(they paid his shop) and when my Vette caught a rock i had another company do it. My dads shop didn't want to do it cause of the angles of the glass. He could have but it didn't matter if he did it or not. They glass company sent their most seasoned guy out to do my glass. He's the guy that does all their TOP end cars and when they heard it was a Corvette they said they didn't want a newbie doing it i felt special

O/P i say let a pro do it. It's not to terribly hard but if you slip with the cutter and hit your dash it comes outta your pocket. If they do, they buy you a new one
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Old May 18, 2009 | 04:21 PM
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I have a 98 Corvette Coupe and would also like to know the ins and outs of replacing the windshield. Unfortunatly this is not an Insurance replacement. The windshield has two stone chips in it and assorted light sand pitting and would just like a clearer view. The glass place says the chips have been in the windshield to long and they have dirt inclusion and cannot be repaired properly. The windshield is $ 285.95 + tax and then their is the molding piece which comes to a total of $ 985.00 + tax glass included. They did say if I was to get the molding they would still do the job. Okay you experts out their just what is involved in doing this job. More curious anyways but I will probably save my frustrations and let the Glass shop do it.
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