redvalkyrie
redvalkyrie Reader
3/27/16 6:35 a.m.

I need to replace the front windshield in my Starlet. There is no actual trim around it, just a large rubber gasket (which I have another of). What tools do I need to do this job correctly and any pointers would be appreciated,

Thanks JP

NordicSaab
NordicSaab Reader
3/27/16 6:39 a.m.

Easy to do.

Your best resource is Youtube. check out some videos using the string trick to get the gasket in.

wae
wae Dork
3/27/16 7:10 a.m.

The only thing I've done in my life that was dumber than installing a windshield was not remembering how much of a pain it was and doing a second windshield.

Maybe your car is different, but sawing through the windo-weld with piano wire and then trying to place the new windshield with enough of a bead of new windo-weld to not get leaks is just an arduous task.

And doubly so if you plan to go to a yard and pull a replacement windshield.

Knurled
Knurled GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
3/27/16 7:16 a.m.

The rubber gasket ones are not too bad. You get a lot (a LOT) of penetrating oil or dish soap or something in there and very carefully, gradually, pry the windshield out a little at a time around the top half and sides. Don't pry in any one place, glass isn't flexible! But it will eventually work its way out.

Putting back in is the same although I would not use penetrating oil, I'd use dish soap or water or something. And then it's a matter of putting the bottom in, working the sides in, and slowly "meeting" the glass to the inside of the seal. Gradually, progressively, not all at once or in one place at a time.

Disclaimer: I've only ever done VW rear window glass this way, to see how hard it is to do. It's NOT HARD but the primary tool you need is patience.

Streetwiseguy
Streetwiseguy PowerDork
3/27/16 8:50 a.m.

Use thin nylon rope to install. There must be a video somewhere.

Like this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keNGeBKOduM

pjbgravely
pjbgravely Reader
3/27/16 12:00 p.m.

It took 2 people but the string method worked very well.

iceracer
iceracer PowerDork
3/27/16 12:02 p.m.

First answer, don't do it. one slip and the glass is gone.

However, The rubber mounting may be something like a VW Beetle, the old style, was fairly easy. We did them all of the time in the shop. Strong string and lots of lube.

I as doing a type 2 once and another mechanic was goin to help. He pushed on a corner a little too hard. Wrong.

Raze
Raze UltraDork
3/27/16 12:25 p.m.

I did it on the Merkur...I bought and used the blade handle tool, worked great, only need one person, takes time and will break the glass so care is required. The window weld part is hardest...if you can do the heated kind like the pros it will be better....the challenge is doing it right the first time...

redvalkyrie
redvalkyrie Reader
3/27/16 12:26 p.m.

It's not one of those things I am looking forward to doing. I checked some local glass shops and they all refused saying they couldn't get the parts or that there might be rust. The one place that did say they could do it quoted me $1500 for parts and labor. I said I had the rubber gasket and the glass. They still didn't seem thrilled.

So, I figure I couldn't do any worse that what's on the car currently which appears to be the gasket plus a ton of clear silicone--which leaks. And the crack and general pitting of the glass makes driving at night a pain.

jimbbski
jimbbski Dork
3/27/16 1:32 p.m.

If you have another gasket and the replacement windshield then I see no reason you can't do it yourself. Since you have another gasket just cut the one you have on the car now to remove the glass. Or just break the old glass and push it out of the window frame with your feet from the inside. Installation is only a YouTube video away from installing your new windshield. Thin nylon string and plenty of soapy water. If you can get some "rubber" lube like used to mount tires then that may work better.

GhiaMonster
GhiaMonster Reader
3/27/16 2:05 p.m.

With the old gasket style are you using any sealer or just the gasket? We tried without any extra sealer on a 66 Mustang and have leaks in both the front and rear glass. I am working up the confidence to pull the windshield this spring and reseal it

markwemple
markwemple Dork
3/27/16 2:43 p.m.

Don't be intimidated. Don't touch the edge of the glass with metal. Use the string method and lots of dish soap to lube the gasket. A 2nd set of hands is very helpful. I've done many of these. Patience and a good gasket are key. You can do it!

redvalkyrie
redvalkyrie Reader
3/27/16 4:08 p.m.
With the old gasket style are you using any sealer or just the gasket? We tried without any extra sealer on a 66 Mustang and have leaks in both the front and rear glass. I am working up the confidence to pull the windshield this spring and reseal it

I would assume some sealer would be needed...a little around the window frame and a little inside the gasket...?

The current one has some type of clear silicone everywhere and I can see drips coming through when it rains.

Nick (LUCAS) Comstock
Nick (LUCAS) Comstock UltimaDork
3/27/16 5:42 p.m.

I removed the windshield of one of my E21 BMWs. I took my time and was careful, it came out in one piece. I set it down and promptly fell onto it and broke it into many pieces.

I paid someone to put the new on in.

Streetwiseguy
Streetwiseguy PowerDork
3/27/16 8:31 p.m.

No silicone, use butyl tape or such.

markwemple
markwemple Dork
3/27/16 8:35 p.m.

Your leaking was likely due to a failing seal

lnlogauge
lnlogauge Reader
3/27/16 9:54 p.m.

Done it once, and broke the windshield. If you have anger problems don't do it.

redvalkyrie
redvalkyrie Reader
4/2/16 12:13 a.m.

So, here's what I'm dealing with--it looks like whoever did the glass last didnt have the factory gasket so they cut up something to fit and used silicone. The factory rubber is one continuous strip.

redvalkyrie
redvalkyrie Reader
4/2/16 12:16 a.m.

redvalkyrie
redvalkyrie Reader
4/2/16 12:19 a.m.

Although, looking at the second pic the glass appears to be OEM.
You can see the "Nippon Safety" and Toyota "teq" logo. I guess they had the glass but not the rubber...the odd stories cars tell.

novaderrik
novaderrik UltimaDork
4/2/16 2:48 a.m.

i've done a few windshields... back when i was young and didn't know how impossible it was to do. i never broke one going in, but broke a couple trying to take them out. all the ones i did were the modern type that are glued in place, but i watched a couple of old timers doing the gasket style and they made it look easy with a piece of rope...

remember, these things were installed at the factory in a few seconds by people that were bored at work so it's not terribly complicated.

trying to decide if i want to put a new windshield in my Camaro myself or let someone else do it..

Lancer007
Lancer007 Dork
4/2/16 8:23 a.m.

If you have a new gasket and new glass it's not hard. A bar of wax and thin rope will be needed.

A tip though is to put the rope into the gasket but make a loop coming out at the top and bottom in the center. That way you can get that gasket lip onto the pinch weld instead of getting the bottom in and fighting massive resistance along the top. Make sure it's centered first though, once you get more than a few inches lipped over its not gonna be fun to adjust side to side.

Also set the gasket in the sun for 15-20 minutes so it warms up and gets plyable enough.

Lancer007
Lancer007 Dork
4/2/16 8:26 a.m.

In reply to novaderrik:

In doing autoglass for 13 years I only truly hate working on a few cars. The 4th gen F-Body is one of them. 1st, 2nd and 3rd are great and I loved doing those but a plauge upon the house of whomever designed all the glass in the 4th gens.

novaderrik
novaderrik UltimaDork
4/2/16 12:49 p.m.
Lancer007 wrote: In reply to novaderrik: In doing autoglass for 13 years I only truly hate working on a few cars. The 4th gen F-Body is one of them. 1st, 2nd and 3rd are great and I loved doing those but a plauge upon the house of whomever designed all the glass in the 4th gens.

mine's a third gen... as far as the windshield is concerned, it should be no different than my cousin's 66 Chevelle, except without the chrome trim to deal with.

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