Window Problems

[N2FHL]

You know those plastic u-shaped clips that are attached to the bottom of the door window? Several years ago mine came off, so I reglued it with silicon adhesive- the stuff they use for windows. They held in the cold weather, but came off again on a very hot day.

 

I tried a different adhesive and the next time it came off, it broke the clip. A new one cost $50 at the Subi dealer. I have since reglued them a couple of times and they keep comming off.

 

The last time they came off the backs were broken off of both of them, making them useless--until I got the bright idea to bolt them on. I decided to drill 2 small holes through the window to attach the clips. I purchased a glass bit at my local ACE Hardware, got about half way through the 1st hole and POW. My window exploded into a million bits, some going as far as 20 feet away.

 

I had read a little about drilling glass online and talked to my helpful hardware man, but nobody told me you can't drill auto glass.

 

I'll be calling the junk yards for a new window tomorrow.

 

Steve

'87 GL 3-door

[Sydfloyd44]

Your door glasses are tempered glass. Designed to break as it did in the event of an accident/emergency.

 

There are always 2 things that we check for when this happens. First is whether it is a problem with the adhesive you are using and whether the glass/channel is being prepped properly? From factory, they use a 2 part epoxy, not silicone. Silicone will not work long term, especially considering the stress that door glass are under during normal operation. When this happens, we will use urethane instead of the epoxy. The glass and channel are prepped using special primers to cause a permanent adhesion.

2nd question is whether there is a regulator problem. Many times this is the case. If something is cracked, bent or damaged on the door or regulator, this will cause undue stress on the adhesive and cause the glass to pull out of the tabs or break them as it did in your case.

Without looking at them, it is hard to guess. Once you get a good glass that should have the tabs on them, install it and keep running it up and down repeatedly watching for any problems. If no problems with the regulator, the new glass should get you running again.

[N2FHL]

Now you tell me

 

Wish I would have found this board years ago. I did try epoxy on one attempt, but I didn't prime the surfaces as you suggested. Live and learn.

 

Steve