Help!! Windshield Woes

mung · August 31, 2014, 08:01:57 AM

Got the old glass out and the gasket in, but we can't figure out how to get the glass in. There has to be some trick to get it seated in that channel. We were trying to put the corners in first then lay the rest in, but as soon as we move our position it slides out of the corner.

Thanks,
Vern

eagle19952 · August 31, 2014, 08:38:20 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtmeTSvwaTw

here are some clues...hope you are using plastic chisels...
I use tools sold by caterpillar to install the lock strips
and gojo to lubricate...
and were I you i would set the glass in the bottom channel and work up evenly on each side about 6-8 inches at a time while a helper holds steady pressure on the glass.

After watching the video.... I should have been doing it...I pretty much installed them with the chisels only when they had integral lock strips.

chessie4905 · August 31, 2014, 08:52:40 AM

This is why I recommended to have glass company install it in previous post. you may end up going through a second windshield before you get the hang of it. One person's job should be just to keep it from sliding out in one or more corners. Go easy with sharp or pointed tools as it is easy to start a crack with too much pressure in the wrong spot on the edge. Some of those plastic/nylon trim tools with some liquid soap or Ruglyde should help avoid any cracks. Make sure the new gasket is fully seated in hole. You may not want much if any lube in that first corner to help the glass to grip and not slide out. We put the bottom square corner first. YRMV

luvrbus · August 31, 2014, 10:31:18 AM

the trick is to have the installing tool they don't cost that much plus they end the frustrating aspect I think mine was 15 bucks

mung · August 31, 2014, 02:34:56 PM

I do have a locking strip tool, that isn't the issue at this point. Picked up some rope to try the rope trick and some plastic Bondo spreaders to see if they will help with getting the lip around the glass. Also got some suction cup handles so that should make getting the glass in place and holding it easier.

luvrbus · August 31, 2014, 02:48:44 PM

I think you will find rope to thick I use string I set the windshield in the bottom my wife pulls the string from the bottom while I hold pressure bingo it is in

mung · August 31, 2014, 02:49:57 PM

5/16ths rope is what I got, but if that is too thick I think I have something thinner here.

Dave5Cs · August 31, 2014, 03:21:12 PM

Like Clifford but we used a vinyl covered clothes line rope and i sprayed it with silicon first. Work great and fast. Although you aren't shootin for fast so much !.....

Dave5Cs

mung · August 31, 2014, 04:55:56 PM

Well, we got one side of the glass in. However, I don't see any way that the locking strip is going to fit in there. This window is very tight against the top and bottom gasket and there is not enough room to get the locking strip in. Is it supposed to be that tight of a fit? If so how on earth do you get the locking strip in when it is that tight?

Oonrahnjay · August 31, 2014, 07:07:35 PM

Quote from: mung on August 31, 2014, 04:55:56 PM
Well, we got one side of the glass in. However, I don't see any way that the locking strip is going to fit in there. This window is very tight against the top and bottom gasket and there is not enough room to get the locking strip in. Is it supposed to be that tight of a fit? If so how on earth do you get the locking strip in when it is that tight?

Lots of dish soap and water (not too much water) in the groove that the glass sits in and also in the groove that the lace goes in. Massage the gasket with your fingers and let the glass find its best position. Also, I'm going to guess that you didn't get the gasket pushed tight into the corners -- the soap stuff may help but if it's truly bad, you may have to take the glass out and try again.

gus · September 01, 2014, 02:54:58 PM

Ooon gives good advice, it is a tough job even with the correct tool. The strip is easy to stretch and then it slowly shrinks leaving a gap. So try not to stretch it and make the strip an inch or so too long, then wait a day or two to let it adjust before making the last cut.

Install the bottom strip first since the weight of the glass is on it - the top is easier

Use lots of dishwashing detergent since it is the mildest. Gojo is a grease solvent, not good for rubber.

mung · September 01, 2014, 03:10:35 PM

Thanks.

Now I am assuming that I should be putting both sides in before the locking strip right? I think so but my helper was questioning it. I was going to try to get the other side in today but my helper was not available and the wife is afraid she would drop it.

Vern

chessie4905 · September 01, 2014, 03:20:01 PM

You don't install the lock strip till the windshield is totally in place.

eagle19952 · September 01, 2014, 03:48:21 PM

Quote from: gus on September 01, 2014, 02:54:58 PM
Gojo is a grease solvent, not good for rubber.

Really, after more than 100 windshields I would definitely use it again.YMMV.

luvrbus · September 01, 2014, 04:02:56 PM

Dish soap drys to fast the guys around here say wax is the best to use followed by Murphy's pipe and tire lube that's all I ever used.I am guessing the 4104 has a flange for the rubber like other buses.

I clean those good then coat it with wax and use shims to space the windshield it's almost impossible to move the windshield once the rubber is in place and I found out on a Eagle you cannot install the lock without spacing the windshield GM's may be different