Guest RON JONES Posted February 8, 2002 Share Posted February 8, 2002 Safely?and are the seals available for replacing it if I do take it out?Thanks.Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeromio Posted February 8, 2002 Share Posted February 8, 2002 I have failed to remove windshields twice. So, maybe you can at least learn from my mistakes. You're supposed to be able to use like a string a cable, dragged thru the stripping to both unseat it and plornk it to the outside. I have used this technique to successfully wedge lots of pieces of string, wire and cable into the windshield frame. You can try prying the stripping from inside to outside. This is an excellent way to chip the outer edge of the windshield or even crack the whole thing altogether. You can try pressing outwards on the glass as you pry with screwdrivers or whatever. But you may as well just smash the glass because it'll be a much quicker and less frustrating way to achieve the exact same result. The technique that I have yet to try is to use a really sharp knife to cut the inner lip of the stripping completely off. In theory, this should work. But then, my track record on this is not so good, so.... I think both MSA and VB have replacement stripping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RON JONES Posted February 8, 2002 Share Posted February 8, 2002 Not what I was hopeing to hear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted February 8, 2002 Share Posted February 8, 2002 Ron, I also tried to remove the windshield and save the rubber...even with all the care in the world, I ended up breaking the glass...so now a NEW windshield is in my future...cheaper and easier to replace the rubber! Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted February 8, 2002 Share Posted February 8, 2002 This is not the answer you are looking for, but I have been able to remove my windshield many times recently just simply pushing the rubber strip lip on the inside of the car, over the steel frame lip, and out toward the outside of the car. I start on the lower corner and work (very carefully) all the way around the windshield this way, never pushing too hard on the glass. The BIG secret to this.....A new weather stripping. The old ones are usually to hard and aged to do this successfully (broke two windshield with the old stripping). After I replaced the old weather stripping with a new one, I never broke another windshield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RON JONES Posted February 8, 2002 Share Posted February 8, 2002 Thanks for all the input.I'm thinking of makeing a windsheid out of 1/8" Lexan.So If it breaks,I,m not to bumed out,but I need it to make a template for the new glass.So I need to try and get it out in one piece.I'm going to give it some thought before I go and start cuting and prying on the old gasket.I did this before on a 80 Malibu I use to have,and geting the window out was a total pain in the a$$.Broken glass all over the place and I told myself I wasn't going to go through that again.But I'm thinking of trying it.the car is geting painted and this would be the time to do it.I'm going to do the side windows,and the rear is already done,so to make it worth while on the weight savings I figure I should do the windsheild??????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 400 ci 280z Posted February 8, 2002 Share Posted February 8, 2002 i was removing my glass with the original weather stripping in. i pryed at the edge and it started to chip and crack and got frustrated. so i picked up a 10lbs. sledge hammer and proceded to get out some anger. it was very messy though but it worked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spotfitz Posted February 9, 2002 Share Posted February 9, 2002 I haven't had much luck with this either. The last time I had a window replaced I just bought the seal and called up a windshield shop. They can have you out and in, in no time, while still in your driveway for minimal dollars. Cutting the old rubber out from the back side worked for me once, but without help I broke the stupid thing trying to pick it up wrong. PS, most places WON'T mess with the chrome trimming in the seal, but with some luck and some lubricant it can be done pretty easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted February 9, 2002 Share Posted February 9, 2002 I was wondering if I was the only idiot that broke his on removal. Glad to hear I'm in good company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted February 9, 2002 Share Posted February 9, 2002 Windshield Removal: I agree the best way to remove the windshield is to cut the weatherstripping and carefully remove the glass. New weatherstripping is usually a must anyway as the old one gets very brittle and cracks. Lexan should not be used on the street. The reason being it will be scratched by window wipers. It can be used on the rest of the windows, however. Sunny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Juday Posted February 9, 2002 Share Posted February 9, 2002 Please Ron, if this is a streetcar, don't use Lexan. It is not nearly as safe as glass. Your windshield is made up of two pieces of glass with a sheet of plastic in between. When struck by a large heavy object, like a loose tire, it is smashed but rarely penetrated. The Lexan would pop out and you get a faceful of Goodyear. Racecars that use Lexan windshields also have aluminum bars that extend vertically over them just for this reason. This last week I saw an Audi TT on the side of the road with a completely smashed windshield. Driver was unhurt. On the opposite side of the freeway was a big old Chevy Van dragging a brake drum as he came to a stop. The stock windshield is cheep, less than $200. Plastic surgery isn't, ask me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeromio Posted February 9, 2002 Share Posted February 9, 2002 Yeah, and I'm pretty sure that parachute is gonna make a big mess in the grocery store parking lot (I'm pretty sure Ron's car is only ever driven on the 1/4 mile track)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RON JONES Posted February 9, 2002 Share Posted February 9, 2002 Summit,Really?I'll have to check that out.I know buying it buy the sheet is $$$ from the Glass shop.My Car dosn't see much of the street anymore Guys.thanks for being concerned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stony Posted February 10, 2002 Share Posted February 10, 2002 ron the body shop told me that the easiest and cheapest way to get the glass out is to cut out the rubber then pull the glass out of the rubber and replace the seal. worked like a charm and still have original glass ;> piano wire works best with glass that is sealed down as teh newer cars are.... good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RON JONES Posted February 10, 2002 Share Posted February 10, 2002 Thanks Clint.I'm still not sure if I'm going to take it out or not.I keep going back and fourth on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted February 10, 2002 Share Posted February 10, 2002 Ron, The latest Summit catalogue I have has some new product that claims to be a scratch proof lexan. Pricey, but might be worth it for your application. If you can find it on their web site I'll dig up my catelogue and post the details. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleek Z Posted February 13, 2002 Share Posted February 13, 2002 RON Well, I've certainly removed quite a few in my time. Seldom have broken one except when dinking around with ZX glued down glass without a an quality piece of piano wire in my tool box. As others have said, old rubber is best to carefully cut out because it will not allow lubricants to help easy it out like the glass pros sometimes use. You can use a strong mat knife to cut it away, but I most often use a carefully sharpened, curved hook, linoleum knife with the tip slightly rounded out before sharpening. It gives you lots of downward force cutting pressure and control at the same time. Chief cautions are to go slow without impatience and to not pry at the corners and far edges to force the glass to let go early. Keep cutting at the top and sides until the blade appears on the backside of the glass and the glass will easily lever forward with minumum force. Next, lift upward gently at each end just enough to cause the glass to rise up out of the rubber channel it is resting in. Take care how you set it down and where. I usually store them on there upper edge resting on a board leaning up against a building. Other times I stand them on their botton corer edges, but the later is risky because any movement of the glass edge on a rough or hard surface can cause them to chip or crack. Hope that helps, Eric Neyerlin - owner of ZPARTS.COM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone Star 1 Posted February 13, 2002 Share Posted February 13, 2002 Wish I had asked before I removed, read destroyed, mine. Only cost $125 to replace and they even installed the crome back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted February 28, 2002 Share Posted February 28, 2002 Cracked my windshield this weekend...but I now know how to get the dang thing off the right way. You have to cut the weather strip up though. Take a sharp edged razor blade, preferably a retractable blade with a handle. Cut perpendicularly to the rubber surface as deep as you can, all the way around. Next take the blade sideways and slide it under the rubber, cut as deep as you can all the way around. Do the same for the other side of the rubber, ie. body side and window side. You're cutting as if drawing an upside down "T". No need to cut from the inside of the car. Now just rip all the upper layers of rubber off. The window will be left sitting on the inner layer of rubber but I would remove the glass in case the bottom layer gives out. Did this last nite on the rear glass and had absolutely no problems! Do not pry hard or you will chip, crack, or shatter the glass. Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zthang43 Posted February 28, 2002 Share Posted February 28, 2002 About the Lexan (or other plexiglass windshields): I thought it would be a good idea too, for weight savings, but my firefighter buddy informed me that not only is it unsafe, but it is also illegal. You must have a glass windshield. The reason (partly) is in the case of an accident where a person has to be removed through the windshield or some other window. If you are using Lexan or something like that, the firefighters can't just break the glass; it takes much more time to remove a plastic windshield. Just thought I'd throw that out there for you guys. I live in Washington State; I don't know if the glass windshield thing is a federal or state law though so maybe it's just here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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