From: esprit@netcom.com (Alan F. Perry)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
Subject: Re: Anybody know how to remove a windshield?
Date: 3 Sep 92 23:02:13 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest)

In article <183405@pyramid.pyramid.com> pshyvers@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Peter Shyvers) writes:
>In article <Bu0FKI.4wB@news.cso.uiuc.edu> emgg1058@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Matt Gaertner) writes:
>>
>>
>>As the title says, Does anybody know how to remove a windshield?
>>
>>Recently while loading some lumber into my car, a board fell and cracked my 
>>windshield. It has a nice spiderweb right in the center, about 9" in diameter.
>>The repair shop says that if I can provide one, it would only cost ~$55 for 
>>installation. My local junkyard is filled with escorts ( mine is an '84 ) but 
>>I've heard that removing one intact is pretty tricky.
>>
>
>When I replaced the windshield on my wife's old (Mitsubishi) Dodge Colt
>(maybe a '78?) *removing* the windshield was a bigger pain than installation.
>I remember sitting in the passenger compartment *kicking* out the windshield...
>
>On at least that vintage car, one removed the chrome trim that covered the
>gasket surrounding the windshield.  The shop procedure is (usually) to
>cut out the gasket (yes, there's a special tool to make it easier) and then
>lift out the windshield.
>
>As we were on a very limited budget, and the local Dodge dealer was out-of-
>stock on the gasket, we were trying to save the old one. It worked, too, but
>I busted the old glass clean in half trying to get it out. Messy, and noisy,
>too.  Very tight fit.
>
>Too bad the gaskets around the trunk, doors, and cylinder head weren't half
>so good...
> 
>I'm surprised the local yards aren't selling the windshields already out.
>Usually they don't want you doing it yourself, due to the risk of injury. 

I have seen windshields held in by two different ways:

1. With a seal/gasket.  I have never had to deal with this one, so I can
   offer no advice.

2. Glued in.  On my late-70s British cars (TR7 and Esprit), this was done
   with a things called a Solbit that you connect to a battery to heat the
   element that runs through the center of the rubber.  When it gets tacky,
   put the windshield in place, disconnect the battery and let it resolidify.
   If I tried to put a new windshield in my Esprit, I would have to use the
   more modern method.  Basically, the stuff is silicone sealer (like the 
   blue or copper stuff that holds so many engines together today).

   So, how do you get a windshield out that is held in with this stuff.
   After you remove the window trim (this destroys the window trim on my
   Esprit), you use a tool that basically two handles connected by piano
   wire.  You drill a hole through the seal, run the piano wire through the
   hole, connect it to the handles, and work your way around the windshield.
   You might need an assistant.  If you do this, watch out because the wire
   can break.  I was watching some guys change the windshield (on the first
   left-hand Elan in the US for tire and US highway testing) and the thing
   broke.  Luckily no one was hurt.

That's what I know about this. 

alan