Tools you require
The task can be eased by obtaining the correct tools for the job. Specialist
automotive tool companies such as Sealey sell windscreen fitting kits.
Tools
from left to right - locking seal installer, pig tail pick, cord to install main
window seal
Removal
Ideally it is best to carry out this job in a garage or under cover. If the
weather turns bad, then you can still carry on with the task in hand without
working under pressure. Start with the interior and remove the mirror then Use
masking tape to seal the interior heater vents during windshield removal. If the
glass is broken or gets broken during removal, flakes of glass won't fall down
into the vents and blow out into your face later. Before removing the wipers, take note of the position of
the blades relative to the screen. This will help get them into the correct
position when reinstalling. Removal is accomplished by lifting them to the
"cleaning position." Using a large, flat screwdriver between the large
nut and the arm, pry up while rocking the arm with your other hand.
Next on the
agenda is to release the press-in Chrome/Plastic locking strip that spreads the
main seal and locks both seal and windscreen into place and prevents the screen
ending up on your lap at speed. A thin small screwdriver or curved pick is ideal
for this.
Start by removing the small chrome joint clip, then tease the end of the chrome
strip up and gently free the strip around the complete screen.
Glass
removal can be easy or difficult depending on whether the windshield gasket is
be used again. If not, the process is easy. Using a Stanley Knife, cut the
rubber gasket away from the glass. Push the blade into the center of the rubber,
carefully feeling where the glass stops. Cut all the way around. Once
the rubber edge is cut away and you can see the edges of the screen, then
carefully place your hand on the top inside of the screen and gently push the
glass outwards. The windscreen should now be released forwards and come away
from the seal. It is best to wear gloves at this point as you will need to grasp
the screen and remove it from the car, place the whole front windscreen in a
suitable place for safe storage. Now that the windscreen glass is removed you
can pull the main screen seal away from the edges of the screen aperture in the
body. If the gasket is still
in good shape, things get a little more difficult. The rubber is supposed to be
soft having no cracks. If there is any doubt, replace it. Take
this procedure slowly to avoid cutting the interior trim or scratching the
paintwork.
If the rubber seal is in perfect condition then the windsreen can be removed in this way
Sitting
in the passenger's seat, using your feet (use soft, flexible shoes ), gently
push the glass at the corner you will see the seal starting to part from the
screen keep up the pressure unit the corner is out, the rest of the screen will
come away easily from that point. Don't KICK! Remember, the more evenly the
pressure on the glass, the less likely you are to crack it.
"Toughened" glass is less likely to break using the "foot"
method. Laminated glass is very fragile so cutting the gasket is the preferred
removal method.
While it is out...
There
are a few things that should be done before reinstallation. Number one is to
clean the glass. All traces of sealant if any must be removed before the new
gasket goes back on. This is easily done by rubbing with your finger. A suitable
window cleaner should remove dirt and grease.
Fix the Rust
Another
area to check is the windshield frame for rust. Manta's often rust there and it
is much easier dealt with the windshield out of the car. Sandpaper and your
favourite rust converter will do the trick.
Polish the Glass
Having
the glass out of the car is the perfect opportunity to polish the glass. Years
of abuse by the wiper blades and ice scrapers take their toll. However, there is
a way to remove scratches from the glass. Specialty automotive glass companies
sell polishing kits that will remove the haze. Using a special polishing
compound (Rhodite) and buffing wheel attached to a hand drill, you will be able
to buff out all the glare causing swirls.
Clean the Dash
Don't
forget to clean the dash while the windshield out. A vacuum cleaner will remove
all the trapped dust around the vents.
Preparation and Refit
Carefully position the new screen seal in place. Reasonable force is necessary
to push the seal firmly onto the screen surround of the body to prevent the
seal’s top edge from falling away every time that you offer it up. This is a
frustrating task that is guaranteed to try your patience. Once the seal is in
place you need to run a length of nylon cord around the inside of the seal
moulding, inside the groove where the windscreen itself will ultimately sit. You
can use a length of suitable nylon cord and a flat bladed screwdriver to place
it in position. Better still you can purchase a windscreen installation kit
which will have a length of this cord included, plus a special tool to insert
the cord, as well as a tool to fit the locking seal and some curved picks.
Once the cord is in
position the windscreen glass can be offered up into place. When you are happy
that the glass is correctly positioned centrally in the aperture then try to
engage the bottom of the screen into the groove of the seal for the glass. It is
suprising how much force you can exert on the screen (while wearing gloves) but
unfortunately you never quite know how far you can push this until it’s too
late, you have been warned. Once the glass is very roughly in
position then you can start to remove the cord along the bottom of the seal by
carefully pulling it out, making sure the seal is re-forming itself correctly or
lipping around the glass as you do so. It is possible to pull the cord through
the seal without correctly lipping the seal over, and so I found it easier to
hold the cord in each corner as you work your way around the screen. Once one
side of the bottom and half of the side seal has been lipped into place move to
the other side of the car and perform the same process. Continue this until the
seal and cord is ready to meet at the top middle part of the screen. It will now
become quite difficult to move the cord and lip the seal over. However, if you
persevere, you will find that as the cord comes completely out of the seal as it
completes the lipping process around the screen, giving you a comprehensive seal
all around the screen and body aperture.
Tip use Petroleum
Jelly The
petroleum jelly serves two purposes, to help lubricate the gasket and keep the
cord from sliding out of the groove.
Locking Seal
This is one area where using a special tool will save you hours of effort. To
install the chrome locking strip you need to spread the main screen seal and
then push the locking seal into place. While installing this locking seal can be
carried out by employing a vast number of hands and screwdrivers it is much
easier to use the proper tool. This tool has a wire spreader and small wheel
attachment to roll the looking seal into place and saves not only time but also
scratched paintwork and your temper, making it a worthwhile investment. Once
properly installed the screen is held firmly in place , then just install the
small chrome jointing clip
The process is the same
for the rear screen.