anyone ever replace windshield?

[jonas]

need to put new windshield in '84 wagon. have replacement. never done it myself. is it pretty easy to do ones self or should i have a shop do it. i suspect a shop may not do it unless i buy the glass thru them.

[Caboobaroo]

need to put new windshield in '84 wagon. have replacement. never done it myself. is it pretty easy to do ones self or should i have a shop do it. i suspect a shop may not do it unless i buy the glass thru them.

 

It all depends on the shops. I know quite a few shops that will put it in as long as you buy the materials like glue and such, though them. Also, they'll charge you less if you already have the windshield out and prepped for a new one to go into it.

[Turbone]

Your car has the moulding on it, theres no glue. If its old, dried up and cracked they may not want to do it unless you get new moulding. They also will not warranty it when you supply the glass. I just called a few shops in my area for my 86 Wagon and that was their story.

[jonas]

well, if i can't do it myself i'll have to make some calls this week. i've had plenty of glass replaced in this area and have found most shops are pretty much...well...umm... hows a nice way of saying this... jerks?? i do know of a couple of mobile guys who have done good fair work for me. ill get hold of them and see what they say. moulding is good. windshield was replaced a couple of years ago.

[northguy]

Most shops will install your glass, but won't guarantee they won't break it in the process. Starting in 1984, all windshields used urethane to glue the windshield in place, so it may be difficult for you to remove your old one. Carefully cut the old glue next to the glass with a razor knife and then have a friend hold slight pressure against the glass on the outside while you "kick" the shield out from the inside. Put a blanket on the hood just in case, and duct tape the defroster vents.

[Turbone]

I havent seen a EA81, no matter what year, that has urethane on it.

[jonas]

my replacement glass is used and still has black glue like stuff that needs to be cleaned off on the edges.

i think i just may bite the bullet and have it done. buying all the stuff necessary to do this for just a one time deal really doesn't make much sense.

[Hank Roberts]

I think having it done is a good idea (ducking ...).

 

I just pulled and reinstalled the rear window on my GL wagon -- the previous owner thought a body shop had replaced his dinged rear hatch. Surprise, they'd banged out dents and repainted and stuffed a lot of goop into the leaky window, which leaked again first year I had it. There were rusty spots to clean up, primer and paint after scraping out lots of that black urethane. Messy to clean up (I used some hexane, the 'label remover' stuff now available, Goo-Gone brand).

 

Now I'm waiting for the new sealant to dry before I spraypaint that in the groove between glass and metal. And it's not like I care how the car looks, it's just while I'm waiting to see if I can get a steering knuckle, I may as well try to make it quit leaking when it rains.

 

And for a front window? Naaah. Have it done. Trust me.