windshield replacement

[outrage]

Hello, has anyone replaced their own windshield?. 96 legacy wagon, with rust under the windshield rubber molding. I can get a used windshield for @ $65.00. I was thinking about pulling my old one (it's cracked) fixing the rust and installing this used one. Any tips?

Thanks, Mark

[idosubaru]

try a search, folks have commented a lot on this here. you'll see in the bottom left corner of the current screen similar threads - all with the exact same title as yours even. all subaru windshields are nearly identical.

 

it's not typically a do it yourself kind of job. did you get a price quote yet, sometimes they really aren't that expensive to just pay someone to do it. i had one replaced in an XT6 in Canton, OH for $182. another guy said he got one installed for $130. by the time you buy cleaners, adhesive and tools you'd only be saving a few bucks and have no warranty. probably worth getting a few price quotes. call a bunch of places, they can vary by a bit.

Edited February 27, 2011 by grossgary

[outrage]

Thanks Gary...I got in a hurry and forgot to search.

 

I just need to remove it to repair the rust first. I'll check around about install prices.

 

Mark

[Scoobywagon]

Don't install a used windshield. The windshield is part of the safety system in the car. With a used windshield, there's no way to be sure that the new adhesive will be compatible with the adhesive on the used glass. And no matter how clean you think it is, there are still some elements of that old adhesive in there. If the adhesive should fail, that's what we call a Very Bad Thing.

 

Call a reputable local glass shop. Have them remove the windshield. Then, with the glass out of the car, you can make a valid assessment as to the extent of the rust. The glass people will discuss the options with you. Sometimes its something they can get squared away in an hour. Sometimes it has to sit overnight. Sometimes its so bad that the car needs serious body work.

[Fuzpile]

I hope you take the previous information. I can only add to what they said. I was in the curious situation of buying my '97 Legacy right after a windshield was replaced. The people that do this professionally have it down to an art. There were small issues with the inside and outside trim. These led me to discoveries outside this subject yet it must be noted the adhesive is some serious stuff:eek:It's some cured rubber, tough as nails stuff. I had difficulty cutting away excess to get an outer trim edge to seat right.

A major improvement in a vehicle is visability and the Subaru has a radically sloped windshield. All the highway grit etc does eventually effect this broad surface and we see thu this angle straight .Anyway, A clear windshield is a joy.

[outrage]

Thanks for all of the advice, I will have new windshield installed.

But.....I need to do something about the rust. I had a new windshield replaced a few years ago and was unaware of the extent of the rust under the glass. The installer brushed some paint primer? and said I was good to go ....not quite. So now I want to get in there and permanently remove the rust before the new glass is installed.

 

Thanks again for the advice, Mark

[Allpar Mod]

A reputable installer will address non through and through rust during the install. My oldest son works for a large auto glass company here and they installed a windshield in my OBW not long ago. There was rust in one area. He didn't do the install himself, but the guy that did ground the rust out and used a special primer to keep it at bay before the urethane was applied.

 

If you do need to address rust before the windshield is installed, you could remove the old one yourself and repair the rust. Most larger glass companies will come to your home to do the install at no extra cost. That might be an option for you if the rust is high priority.