Windshield is killing me...

[red71cheyenne]

Picked up the new windshield yesterday and have been trying to install it ever since. I have it about half way in, but can't get the top to go in. Had to take a break. I tried starting with the top yesterday, but the glass kept popping out of the rubber at the bottom, so I went with the bottom side this time. The bottom and about half each side is in and seated pretty well, but the top doesn't want to clear the edge of the frame. Anybody got any suggestions? I read GMCPauls FAQ on it, but I'm still not having much luck. Later, Jeff.

[Huck]

The bottom is not seated all the way down. Takes a little luck and lube to get it down where it needs to be, then a lot more luck and lube to get the rest of it in---(sound familiar?). Just take your time and work it a bit. I've got mine in the same position but it's been sitting like that for 8 months waiting for me to get in the mood. Good luck

[davesamnesia]

Will let you know tomorrow. Have a glass company comming out to do mine. 65.00 and a half hour of their time is what they quoted me. It also has chrome trim. I'll hawk them to see if there are any top secrets they use.
Dave

[red71cheyenne]

I got frustrated with it earlier in the day and called around to see how much to install. Lowest I got was $120 just to install. Needless to say, I continued to work on it...

Huck I hope I get it done before you get yours done!

[Shock_Me]

I watched the glass shop guys do my brother's truck last summer. After they put the cord in the channel they sprayed that foaming glass cleaner around the entire channel. They then started to install from the bottom first using the palms of their hands to kind of "slap" the bottom into place. Once they were sure the bottom was seated, they started pulling the cord out of the channel. The top corners were definitely the tough spots, but they went in after some subtle persuasion. Keep trying, it'll go in.

Peter

[Huck]

OH by the way, I don't think you can do it alone---. Need help pushing it in while you pull the cord or "forgetaboutit".

[Shock_Me]

Just like Huck said, one guy was outside pushing the corner in while the other guy was inside the cab pulling out the cord.
Don't forget the lube

[red71cheyenne]

Ya, the cord is already out except for the driver side corner. Got most of the passenger side in and the corner thru. Just slowly working it in. Took your advice and lubed the h@*% out of it with some glass cleaner and that helped. I'll hopefully finish it up tomorrow.

[arkracing]

It is a real PITA to do.

you really need @ leat 2 guys maybe 3. I'd love to see a glass guy do it in 30min. The last one I had them do it took the guy 1.5hours (that is after we broke the used one trying to get it in)

Last one I did with 2 guys took 2.5 hours.

A small "right angle" pick tool is helpful as well.

make sure you have lots of warm water with a little soap mixed in (you odn't want a ton of it or you'll have a truck full of suds everytime it rains ) on the rope and gasket

[Huck]

I had a professional service attempt to do my 72 a few years back--he broke the windshield after about 2 hours of struggleing. Came back 2 days later with a new windshield and it still took him several hours--he obviously didn't know what the hell he was doing--most shops are spoiled by the new vehicles with slop in windows. You can't lube it too much~~soap suds in the rain is fun!! Just don't revert to a hammer!!

[fine 67]

been there did mine in 20 minutes. start by putting the rubber in the top first and hold the bottum with your palm ,then pull the cord out . use alot of spary silicone should be no problem fine 67

[red71cheyenne]

Ooo, I thought silicon and teflon were no no's on paint? Seems like someone said you can't ever get it off. As you can tell I am just at the sealer point on paint, so I didn't want to mess up the new paint before its on. Anyone else ever hear that about silicon?

[Critter]

Originally Posted by red71cheyenne

Ooo, I thought silicon and teflon were no no's on paint? Seems like someone said you can't ever get it off. As you can tell I am just at the sealer point on paint, so I didn't want to mess up the new paint before its on. Anyone else ever hear that about silicon?

Yeah, I’m a mechanical engineer at an undisclosed auto manufacturer. Silicon is basically a dirty word around the paint shop. The other day I went to adjust some equipment that I installed in a training room, away from the main spray lines, and they basically patted me down to make sure I didn’t have any spray silicon lubricant. Apparently it’s as much of a no-no as having fingernail clippers at an airport!

[LUV2XCLR8]

Took one guy, 2 hours to fo mine, and he wasn't happy, but I paid $142
fro the Glass and the Install, done at my house (I supplied the gasket)

[red71cheyenne]

Well, hindsight is 20/20, from now on, I'll just pay the extra $50 to have them do it. Its a good experience, but not one I'd like to repeat...

[davesamnesia]

Well, that was fun...NOT!!!!! Had a new gasket and chrome trim from LMC (first huge mistake). The glass guy showed up and just smiled. Said I'll do what I can. After the first hour of fighting chrome that doesn't fit, we got around to trying to put it in frame. Everytime we would go to pull cord and seat glass (there were four time we did this), the non-fitting chrome would pop out of gasket. After four (yes, I said 4) hours he said to get hold of LMC and have them get decent stuff to work with. This guy has been doing windshields for 26 years and said a half hour is all it should take him. In 26 years he has only broken 2. Anyhow, I called LMC and got a fella that spoke, how shall I say, broken english. Slighly arabic or something (trying to be politically correct here). The two issues we discussed was the oversize of the gasket itself, and the non-fitting chrome. He had me measure the gasket at the top so they could compare to one they had there. Quality control at it's finest. He then went through the catalog he had to see if there was a different chrome for trucks and Blazers. My word wasn't good enough. After all of that he then informed me he would "look into it" and get back with me somewhere towards the first part of the week. "Thank-you for calling LMC, good day"!
Don't want to hijack your thread but needless to say I'm a little cheesed, PO'd or what ever I can say without having my hands slapped.
Note to self; No LMC.
Dave

[red71cheyenne]

hehe, sounds like yours is as bad as mine. My gasket and trim came from the Truck and Car shop, and so far the trim hasn't tried to pop out. The corners are going to stay off til I get the windshield in though. They keep popping off. It looks like the gasket fits, its just a tight fit. That and I'm doing it by myself...

[2wdBlazer]

I saw on a car show to spray heavy on the silicone. Make sure you lube the rope good and not just the channel. What about vaseline? hmmm

[Angelse68cal]

JUst Drive it with out the Window.....You will always have a crystal clear view.LOL All You will need is a rag for the Bugs that will hit your teeth! HEHE! Just kiddin Hope you get it in soon!

[msgross]

very soapy water...I am going to attempt mine since the locals want $300 for all of it. I got a $50 windshield and will get a GMCPAul kit...

[jamie72]

i put mine in with my wifes help, i used ky jelly on mine, it works pretty well with rubber products..
i had the one in the wifes 72 put in by a local glass company, he came and installed it with new glass with my seal for like 150.00

[red71cheyenne]

Man, I give up. I had both the boys(full grown) help me Saturday and we still couldn't get it in. We can get the passenger side in, but then the driver's side pops out, so I'll just pay someone to do it. As far as the drive it without, I've done that in the pickup. It was winter time though, so no bugs! Thanks for the help guys, Jeff.

[Critter]

Originally Posted by red71cheyenne

Man, I give up. I had both the boys(full grown) help me Saturday and we still couldn't get it in. We can get the passenger side in, but then the driver's side pops out, so I'll just pay someone to do it. As far as the drive it without, I've done that in the pickup. It was winter time though, so no bugs! Thanks for the help guys, Jeff.

Just curious, have you or possibly a P.O. done any windshield frame repair work on the truck. Is something not square???

[red71cheyenne]

I did major reconstructive surgery on the entire thing. Tore it all apart, split every seam and then re-welded it together. Its very possible its not square, but I don't know exactly how I would check it, or repair it if its not square.

[Classic Heartbeat]

Have you tried bolting your top on? Then fit the windsheild? Seems to me that the frame might be leaning toward the back of the truck on one side or the other. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com