Winshield replacement time

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by Racer2172

Any additional pointers on trim removal before start windshield removal?

Hopefully, you are sequencing your project differently than your sentence...


I don't tell anyone what to do...But if were me...and I suspect anyone else that wants to save not only the windshield, but the trim, and have decided to cut the gasket:

1) Cut the gasket on the inside.
2) Carefully remove the windshield by pushing out from the inside... passengers seat...and having eight friends
on the outside to catch (not to "pry"), and one or two in the driver's seat to push.... But only when you say "push"...
3) Locate the place you previously set up to safely put the glass down.
4) put the glass down
5) Cut the gasket some more until you can pull the trim out without bending
it.
6) More gasket cutting; and less pulling on the trim.

REAL glass guys: Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[swamp rat]

If the trim can only go in before the actual install then i would think it can only come out after removal of the windshield

[litew8]

just an fyi - I think there's a tool you can buy to install the trim while the gasket and windshield are on.
But of course that's not what we are talking about here, and I've never tried it.

Thread shows the tool: Windsheild locking strip tool

[fp1967]

The locking strip tool pictured above is for 73-87 GM trucks and some other brands as well. It won't work to put the trim in these trucks. Some gaskets are designed to stay on the body, to remove the window, you take out a locking strip. This allows the gasket to open up and you can then remove the window.

[litew8]

Crap! You're right. Ignore post #28.
I didn't even notice the truck style in that thread.

[Racer2172]

Ok everyone lesson learned tonight, trim can be removed carefully, working it out of the gasket before removing windshield, I did it with a cotter key removal tool. Then I cut the gasket away with a razor blade on the outside in about four pieces, aside from getting anxious and prying with cotter key tool before I had all the gasket removed from the outside edges of the windshield, the windshield gained some cracks in addition to the ones it already had. Once all the outer material was cut away, I was able to remove the entire windshield in one piece by myself. Attached is a pic of the after removal.

[litew8]

So, the cracks were a result of 1) Removing the trim prior to removing the windshield, 2) You prying on it prematurely, or 3) Both? Videos I've seen say to cut the seal from the inside.

[Racer2172]

From prying before cutting all the gasket, no issues while removing the trim.

[litew8]

Cool. If you had cut from the inside and removed, no need to have removed the trim first. Now that you're seasoned, lets see you install the new!

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by Racer2172

From prying before cutting all the gasket, no issues while removing the trim.

Great. Always good to learn something new. Every trim removal without removing the gasket/windshield
I've ever seen looks like this. Or worse.

Now I know the trim can be saved and taken out of the gasket. All you have to do is cut the gasket...
...And then you can take out the windshield.

I guess there are always many ways to skin the cat. No difference, here.

My ideal is to leave as much meat on the bone as possible. Especially if I intend to throw away
the fur, anyway.

But *I* don't mind being wrong. Never do. Unless I should'a already learned from my own
previous mistake(s) .

On this one, I have no dog in the hunt. Going to the windshield man Monday. $150.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Monday (yesterday) was the day to get the windshield R 'n R'd.

Vinny the Windshield Man said he didn't have to cut the gasket. That the "new" OEM trim slipped right in. Saved the gasket, saved the old trim, saved the windshield.

It's still not perfect. But, I do know he's the best around. And he did the best he could with the tools I gave him.

I don't know if someone's had a beach party or a baby on that top between 1968 and when I started this madness in 2008. I do know that if all I have do is drive
myself nuts over 1/16" stuff all the time, I had better get a life.

This ain't no SEMA truck.

Proved that by dropping an alternator on the way home yesterday. Sheesh! Just about the only part I hadn't pulled apart on the build. And, the passenger's side
door lock stuck, too. I needed to get in there anyway to grease the window rail rollers on that side.

Oh. Turns out, Vinny's the cousin of Stan, one of the owners of Early Classic Enterprises. Total happenstance on this one. The guy who gave me the tip on Vinny
wouldn't know ECE from Adam.

[Crabass]

Shown in a tiny screen but good for a rough idea of what is involved:


http://www.myclassiccar.com/episode/14/14/

[derotoreut]

I removed my windshield and trim myself. Was pretty easy. Just pushed out from the inside. I then cleaned everything up real well. I bought a Precision gasket. Changed from Deluxe to Standard because I didn't want the hassle of the chrome trim, plus I actually like the standard trim better, but that's only my opinion. I had a local installer come to my house and put the windshield back in. He only wanted $60 to do it, which I thought was a great deal. Saved me the headache in case there was a problem.

[Precision Parts]

I would not recommend removing the trim prior to removing gasket/windshield. You should always work from the inside. If you are trying to save the gasket pull the pinchweld flap with a hook tool while gently pushing out. If you are not saving the gasket then simply cut this flap again pushing out. Trying to pry out the trim first could cause the it to be tweaked...and you do not want that as it will not lay right when re-installed.

Many members of this forum have had issues with this install which is why we put together a removal/install video. Thanks to litew8 for posting it on the first page.

Let me know if anyone has questions.

Derek