Winshield Replacement Tips?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Lake IL
Cruise-In II Veteran
Winshield Replacement Tips?
My HUD is blurry/has double vision. The dealer has determined that I need a new winshield because the thickness of the glass is not consistant.
I am a little concerned that they might scratch the paint or not get the weather-stripping back in neatly.
Has anyone done this or had it done to their car? Is it a pretty straight forward installation?
If I don't have them fix it, I have to live with the double-vision. :( Thanks.
- Charley
I am a little concerned that they might scratch the paint or not get the weather-stripping back in neatly.
Has anyone done this or had it done to their car? Is it a pretty straight forward installation?
If I don't have them fix it, I have to live with the double-vision. :( Thanks.
- Charley
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,630
Likes: 8
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Re: Winshield Replacement Tips? (CDHough)
I don't know about the C5, but when I had the C4 windshield replaced I had it done by a local windshield place that had one tech who worked exclusively on Vettes. He did a superb job. He also recommended replacing the weatherstripping which surrounds the front windshield and "A" pillars. He spent about 6 hours doing it and took his time.
It is true that you need a special windshield for the HUD to work. When I ordered mine, I did not want the HUD...why...because for seven years I drove a C4 that had that type of "digital speed" etc. and I longed to get back to reading the "analog" gauges only. Good luck on your replacement windshield...just be sure that the person who does it has exeperience in doing Vettes. Call around and ask the local glass companies if they are experienced at replacing Vette windshields (or ask the local Corvette Club...they usually know of techs that will treat your Vette with TLC). :)
It is true that you need a special windshield for the HUD to work. When I ordered mine, I did not want the HUD...why...because for seven years I drove a C4 that had that type of "digital speed" etc. and I longed to get back to reading the "analog" gauges only. Good luck on your replacement windshield...just be sure that the person who does it has exeperience in doing Vettes. Call around and ask the local glass companies if they are experienced at replacing Vette windshields (or ask the local Corvette Club...they usually know of techs that will treat your Vette with TLC). :)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
Re: Winshield Replacement Tips? (CDHough)
I know how you feel; I had the same concerns when mine needed to be replaced. I have been unlucky with truck/stone combos and am on my third windshield. My shop did a good job; I hope yours does too. Good luck. :)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Lake IL
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Winshield Replacement Tips? (carpe dm)
Thanks guys.
This is covered under warranty so the dealer will be making the fix. They have a vette specialist technician. I guess I will just have to express my concerns to them so that they take extra care with the paint.
- Charley
This is covered under warranty so the dealer will be making the fix. They have a vette specialist technician. I guess I will just have to express my concerns to them so that they take extra care with the paint.
- Charley
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,630
Likes: 8
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Re: Winshield Replacement Tips? (CDHough)
Be careful about their Vette specialist. I may be wrong, but I don't recall dealerships actually replacing the windshield. Usually they will contract out to a windshield replacer...and it's usually the lowest bidder. Some come to the dealership...others have the dealer drive your Vette to their location.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 5,367
Likes: 77
From: Houston TX
Re: Winshield Replacement Tips? (Mark S.)
MARK S. is RIGHT!!! I am looking into getting a new windshield due to Houston dirtya$z roads and a flying BOLT!!! Dealers will have a contracted person to do the install on their property... good luck! :yesnod:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 1
From: Newland US
Re: Winshield Replacement Tips? (Mark S.)
Be careful about their Vette specialist. I may be wrong, but I don't recall dealerships actually replacing the windshield. Usually they will contract out to a windshield replacer...and it's usually the lowest bidder. Some come to the dealership...others have the dealer drive your Vette to their location.
You are absolutely right. I learned this when my Z-28 needed windshield replacement because of a flaw in the original. The body shop honcho told me that they contracted with an outside agency to come into the dealer shop and do the job. I said sure...fine with me.
Big mistake. They did a very poor job. I don't know how much bargaining room one has. I expect if I had asked to stipulate the installer that I wanted, they would have agreed. Dunno...maybe not.
For sure, now that I am armed with a bit more knowledge, I'll pursue my options if the Vette ever needs windshield replacement.
Mark
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 10,976
Likes: 21
From: FL
St. Jude Donor '13
Re: Winshield Replacement Tips? (CDHough)
Have them replace the HUD 1st before they bust out the windshield...I have seen a few faulty units cause this :yesnod: and it isnt a big deal to remove the upper dash pad...Has it done it since day 1???...If it is the windshield,the distance to the HUD cant be off a fraction of an inch or you will get distortion :yesnod:
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Lake IL
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Winshield Replacement Tips? (C-5 TECH)
C-5 Tech,
The vette tech at my dealership said that they do a test where they put a piece of paper by the winshield and if is focused properly, then it is a winshield problem. I guess that test failed.
Replacing the HUD sounds like a cleaner solution. How can I get them to replace the HUD first if they think that the problem is with the winshield?
I have had this problem since day 1. Thanks for your help.
- Charley
The vette tech at my dealership said that they do a test where they put a piece of paper by the winshield and if is focused properly, then it is a winshield problem. I guess that test failed.
Replacing the HUD sounds like a cleaner solution. How can I get them to replace the HUD first if they think that the problem is with the winshield?
I have had this problem since day 1. Thanks for your help.
- Charley