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I am looking into purchasing a C5 convertible roll-over and it will need a new windshield frame. The old one is cut off close to the hood and dash.
- What is involved?
- Is it possible?
- Can this be done with good, strong, reliable results?
- Is there a whole lot of disassembly to get to the areas where the new frame would need to be welded.....assuming it does get welded.
I own a 2001 in mint condition. I thought I'd introduce myself to the car from the opposing side as well. One for fun to drive and one for the challenge of making it fun to drive.
I used to be into Fieros. I enjoyed getting into them from such a perspective. I thought I'd try the same here.
This used to be a common repair in the older Vettes (C3's for instance), where the window frame would rot. Cutting them out and rewelding in a new one should be easier I would think since the fenders come off easily, not like the old Vettes where the entire front clip was bonded on. The thing I would be concerned about is the rest of the chassis. I would NOT attempt this till the car was checked out on a laser frame machine to see if it's a total mess or not. It may take a couple of "yanks" on the frame machine before you even start on the window frame.
I am looking into purchasing a C5 convertible roll-over and it will need a new windshield frame. The old one is cut off close to the hood and dash.
- What is involved?
- Is it possible?
- Can this be done with good, strong, reliable results?
- Is there a whole lot of disassembly to get to the areas where the new frame would need to be welded.....assuming it does get welded.
Any insight would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Ron
FWIW, from what I recall of the assembly process, the windshield frame is an integral part of the metal firewall structure -- the whole firewall/dash/windshield structure above the hydroformed frame rails is added to the frame as a unit on the assembly line.
Assuming that the lower part of this assembly wasn't tweaked by the rollover, you'd have to find a replacement windshield frame, and then figure out a way to hold it in place at the correct angle (and square to the body) while welding it to the lower part of the assembly. Not that it couldn't be done, but you'd be a braver man than I. Especially with a track car -- I'd be more worried about whether it was done "right" with the track car, which has a lot higher chance of being "stress tested."
I have a C5 parts CD. I looked at the windshield frame part number 10420764 on page 5-D8
It appears to have wings on each side by each door jamb to either bolt or weld the frame to the car.
I was hoping someone here has done this to shed some light as to the task involved......or maybe has torn down their Vette enough to see this bracketry to determine if welded or bolted. Also what is it's accessibility. Maybe the thing is welded from the inside rather than the outside. That would require me removing the entire inside IP area, and cutting it out. That would be more than I care to be doing.
from the pictures he posted , it looks liek magnesium or aluminum, not welded steel, and is bolted on. possible contact a forum vendor and see it the part can be ordered, then if so you will know its a bolt on part.