[William Miller]

Can't get it in.
Need help with process or more muscle.

History. A little more than a year ago I had the original windsheild replaced. A local glass shop in Rockville (Can't remember the name) installed a PPG windsheild in the old gasket. To say the least it leaked at the bottom corners.

Now that the cars is painted I attemped to install the glass with a new gasket and am having trouble getting the bottom corners. The wire is comming arround the corner, but the inside lip of the rubber is not staying on the inside of the ridge/flange.

Here's what I did.
1. Read as much as I could on Pelican Parts BBS.
2. Per a suggestion on PP, I fit the trim arround the edge of the glass bending it slightly so it would match the glass exactly.
3. Lubed the seal with liquid dish soap. (Maybe too much?)
4. Installed the seal on the glass.
5. Installed the trim on the seal. Fit well, but has a tendancy to pop off. (Too much lube?)
6. Installed a piece of wire in the outside channel where the ridge on the frame will seat. This was a piece of 14-16 gauge insulated wire. (Is this too small?) I installed the wire so the 2 ends stick out at the bottom and lay on the dashboard.
7. There is a little flap of rubber that's maybe 3/16 wide. If left to it's own it covers the channel where the wire goes. One thought was that this should be tucked into the channell, but my second thought was that it shouldn't because the wire would pull it out anyway.
8. Insert the glass into the opening starting with the bottom and then leaning the top back. This is a snug fit , but you can see a crack of light at the bottom corners.
9. With my 3 kids standing in the trunk and leaning on the windsheild and one other man on the passangers side we leaned as hard as possible and zipped the 2 wires starting at the bottom and working to the corners and arround to the top. It appeared to work fine except for the bottom corners.

When I tried it by myself I could get one corner in but then the whole thing would slip/slide to the other side and open the gap again.
Anyway I need some more pointers and/or help.

Is the size of my cord a problem? I recall watching this on another cars and installed one on the Jeep I had many years ago. I recall using a piece of string about 3/16 or 1/4".

Too much Lube?

Am I starting at the wrong place with the cord?

Do I not have enough weight? I feel like if I get enough weight pushing in It will push the glass back into the corner and once the lip is on the right side of the flange it will stay in place.

Any thoughts appreciated.

It seams there are continual debates about sealant. Any thoughts?

[Jazzbass]

I put mine in with my wife helping, and it was in pretty good except it was slightly off center and the seal didn't come inside on the upper left quite right. This is more of a placement issue than technique, so time to try it again. However, here's what I did:

- Make sure the trim is the exact shape of the windshield. I mean exact.
- Install the gasket on the windshield.
- Install the trim in the gasket. I like to use WD-40 to lube the trim goove up for install, as it is slippery but dries relatively quickly (i.e. no poping out).
- Soak a 3/16 nylon rope on very soapy dishwater.
- I used some3M 08509 Sealing and Bedding Glaze on the windseild frame before installing the glass. This is a non-hardening sealer, not a glue. Some say you don't have to use it, but I liked the extra peice of mind of using it. BTW, its messy as hell.
- Wrap the rope around the gasket, overlapping at the bottom by an inch or so.
- Put the glass in centered (this is the part that is hard and I didn't do so well at). I put pressure on the glass while my wife pulled the rope out of the seal. We tried the other way (her pushing and me pulling), but I found the skill part is pushing the glass in, not pulling the rope.

Overall, the glass went in fine except the the afore-mentioned gap at the upper left on the inside.

[William Miller]

OK, as far as we know we are doing it right. I think your few tips will help. Got any extra sealer. I'll buy it.
Also I'll help you if you help me!
Let's do your's first since it seems to be working.

I'm gonna clean off the dishsoap tonight since I think that may be the biggest problem.

[Jazzbass]

I have extra sealer you can use. I comes in a 10oz tube, so there's enough to do about 10 cars. I'm having some glass installation issues right now, so I can't do mine for a week or so. If I get a free night this week, I can pop over and give you a hand, though.

[William Miller]

Thanks, let me know when.
Need any help with the other stuff?

[jpinkert]

I've done 3 or 4 windshields on 911s. I learned a lot the first time...after that it was much easier.

I always start with the rope (I use a nylon clothesline) at the top and I work each end of the rope across the top of the windshield and down the sides. Once the sides are in place, the windshield sort of sucks itself into place. The bottom edge is still the most difficult part, particularly so if you have an in-glass antenna. But work around that and make sure that the entire seal seats. If a little bit does not, pull the whole thing out and start over.

I used the factory seal and factory glass (Sekurit and/or Sigla).

[William Miller]

Thanks Josh.

I can see the merits in starting at the top with the ropes.
Especially in my case where I'm having problems with the bottom corners.
If I start at the top 3/4 (almost) of the seal will be on the right side of the flange before I get to the trouble spot. I will also be able to see what is happening as I can't see behind/belod the dash. I think you are right that this will help pull the lower edge back into place. Also by that point I think the glass will have helped center itself.

I have started by resting the lower part on top of the flange and then tilting the top back into the frame. Should I still do it this way or jamb the top into the frame first and work my way down pushing the bottom in next.

What about the little 3/16 wide flap do you recall this and which way it starts? If I fold it into the slot (Where the rope goes) I may be able to position the bottom (Or top of the flange) into the slot while I'm setting the windsheild in. Top or bottom based on your recommendation. If I'm good I will be able to get at least that edge started in the right place. I just don't know where that little flap is supposed to end up.
Have you /anyone seen a cross section with the glass in place?
Thanks everyone for your help!

[Jazzbass]

I like the start at the top method, Josh. I think I'm going to this next time. I hope this will help me fix the gap I'm getting at the top.

[William Miller]

Chris, VA Steve is comming by tonight to pick up some stuff.
If he has time I'll try it again with the new suggestions. I heard another one on PP BBS RonnieB "wrap the rope arround 2 times"
That might have solved your problem too. It gives a second chance to get those parts of the lip in that didn't go in right the first time.

Can I stop by and pick up the goop / sealer?
I'll be home early like 5-6 so I can come by anytime if it works for you.
Cell 202-329-5087

[Jazzbass]

Unfortunately I'm working late tonight and won't be home until about 8:30 - 9:00. My wife will be out most of the evening too with all the kid's activities, so I don't think you could even pick up the sealer. I'll give you a call later tonight to see how things are going.