Safelite Repair, Safelite...

[Mutt Hunter]

...doesn't replace.

So on Monday, it was time to place my 48 year old windshield back in its frame encased in a brand new rubber molding. Life was good. The guy showed up with suction cups, slippery goo and other gizmos to make the remount a breeze.



Except it wasn't a breeze (big surprise there...). As we were using a tool to pull the rubber over the metal frame (picture mounting a tire on a rim, except in a straight line), CRACK! The glass decided it was going to crack from the upper right corner down on a 45 degree angle to basically the middle of the glass.

Holy hell i was mad...

So then this guy calls up a local glass supplier, and they tell me to bring down the old glass so they can cut a new one. That's cool, i thought...won't be a big deal. Anyhow, Mr. Safelite calls them and tells them its the "Same size as a 1975 CJ-5." So even though i took them the window to copy and cut a new one, they ordered the CJ-5 window. They call me to tell me of their mistake and i wait another two days for the correct one to be cut.



Well, i finally get a call this morning to come get the new window, and Mr. Safelite shows back up with all his suction cups and spray lube and things go much better...it basically slips right into position and looks great.



In summary, it was a Good Friday indeed.

Happy Easter, gents. Hope you are all well, safe, and healthy.

dee

[rickf]

I have to ask, Did Safelight pay for the new glass? I think a lot of the time it is better to take the windshield frame and let them measure what "needs" to go in there and not "what was trying" to go in there. I have put a few of these in and thankfully I haven't broken one yet but man some of them were WAY to tight!!! And if it if too tight it will cut through the rubber and contact the metal of the frame and instantly break. The window needs to be in there with room to spare all the way around.

[Mark]

When I put mine in, I seem to recall using a string and dawn soap, oh, but I have a lacking memory sometimes which came from electricity in the air LOL

[199th mp]

a word to the wise---NEVER seal any part of this job with a sealer containing silicone. use a sealer intended for rubber gasket installations, or a urethane sealer designed for today's windshields. silicone has a chemical component which will damage the sheet metal windshield frame, causing serious rust problems.

[Mutt Hunter]

That string and soap method is what he performed. I'd never seen that done before...and as usual, something i was terrified to do by myself was de-mystified nearly immediately. It does help if you've got somebody putting some inward pressure on the window while you slowly pull the strings out. Once you get the two lower corners done, its pretty darn easy. The "string" we used was actually some of my leftover 550 cord.

dee

[Mark]

It might state how to do it in one of the TMs?I can remember on some of the 1970's cars, to remove windshield, I used my feet to push the windshield out?

[rickf]

Windshields were tricky but rear windows I used to beat on them with a rubber mallet while someone pulled the string from inside. Safety glass was very forgiving as long as you didn't hit it with a sharp object.

[199th mp]

Windshields were tricky but rear windows I used to beat on them with a rubber mallet while someone pulled the string from inside. Safety glass was very forgiving as long as you didn't hit it with a sharp object.

the difference is that windshields are made of AS-1 grade laminated safety glass, which uses an .030 inner layer of poly vinyl buteral. this will withstand an impact, only in that it protects the passenger by cushioning the blow, and holding together. rear and side windows are generally made of AS-2 grade tempered glass. tempered glass is quite strong, and i have demonstrated this to apprentices by standing on it and bouncing. as rick pointed out, if instead the impact is concentrated, and sharp, it will fail, and disintegrate into thousand of tiny pieces. patio doors are now made of tempered glass, and many business entrances are as well, including the stationary side lights in the openings, as long as they are located in specific areas, according to the building code. some day, remind me, and i will tell you all about the "dine and dash" gentleman at the restaurant in carmichael, and how he paid for his free lunch with his life. true story.

[TFischer]

I certainly appreciate the older posts as I have the same question when it comes to windshield replacement.

[199th mp]

m3a1, here's the story. i was working for a glass shop in a suburb of sacramento, way back when. many older buildings in our area still had non safety type glass in many locations, including the entrance doors and sidelites. a guy went in there, ordered lunch, finished it, and made a run for the front door. as he ran, he extended his arm straight out, like a football player would. when he hit the door, the glass failed. it was 3/16 thick annealed glass, and separated into large sections and shards. one of them pierced his chest, and he bled out right there on the floor. the restaurant called us to replace the glass. by the time i arrived, he had been removed, but the mess was not yet cleaned up. the change in building codes, which required safety glazing material in many locations, was not retroactive. shops only had to upgrade when replacements were made.

[m3a1]

So, to sum this up...basically, Dine & Dash became Dine & Dash & Crash & Slash....

[m75]

Well, at least Safelite took on the replacement job. I have had my windshield frame repaired, sandblasted and powder coated, with a new windshield glass cut (using the original as a pattern) and new gasket..... but when I contact Safelite, they won't touch the replacement job. Won't take liability for this installation. The glass shop I purchased the new one from might take it on, "after hours" side job by the shop lead man.

The -34 TM makes the process sound relatively easy, but it is outside of my experience, and no local help to play the part of the helper.

[Mark]

I took mine to a windshield glass shop, they put one in.

[199th mp]

rick, my memory is not so good anymore. didn't i write a paragraph once, years ago, spelling out in detail how to change a windshield?

[rickf]

Pretty sure you did.