Convert Windshield from Gasket to Adhesive...

mqbus767 · September 06, 2024, 02:51:12 AM

I'm struggling to get my windshield on my 102 DL3 completely sealed for multiple reasons. The last time I tackled it I cracked both pieces. I've been told that these are notoriously difficult to get sealed and keep them sealed. I'm floating a radical idea around in my head and wanted to ask ya'll for any insights. If I removed the glass and gasket and fabricated an recessed edge all along opening, I wonder if I could then glue the windshield into place similar to the way modern vehicles do it. Any thoughts or opinions?

freds · September 06, 2024, 08:37:09 AM

Quote from: mqbus767 on September 06, 2024, 02:51:12 AM
I'm struggling to get my windshield on my 102 DL3 completely sealed for multiple reasons. The last time I tackled it I cracked both pieces. I've been told that these are notoriously difficult to get sealed and keep them sealed. I'm floating a radical idea around in my head and wanted to ask ya'll for any insights. If I removed the glass and gasket and fabricated an recessed edge all along opening, I wonder if I could then glue the windshield into place similar to the way modern vehicles do it. Any thoughts or opinions?

Dang cracking both pieces!!! On my Prevost it's a two part seal so it's removeable and resealable. I have never removed it, but to the previous owner did to take a couch out of the bus.

When you have the replacement glass I suggest having a pro do it...

luvrbus · September 06, 2024, 12:38:57 PM

You could probably make adhesive work but you would need to do some fabrication to the opening so the glass would have a flat surface to bond to, the way it is now the opening is larger than the glass, adhesive is good stuff but not good for filling a void

Glennman · September 06, 2024, 12:47:31 PM

Yvan Lacroix(?) has a YouTube video on removing and replacing the windshield on his DL3. You will have to search to find it, but it's a great video if I recall correctly.

Iceni John · September 06, 2024, 02:07:50 PM

I agree with freds - get a pro to do it. I recently replaced both my windshields because they had stone chips and one had a crack, and even the pros I used broke one piece while installing it. It turns out that Crown had made each side a sightly different size (the joys of having a handbuilt bus!), but the glass dudes didn't anticipate that. And my windshields are flat. I can't imagine the difficulty of modifying the frame to glue in flat glass, let alone curved glass.

John

luvrbus · September 06, 2024, 04:44:42 PM

Quote from: Glennman on September 06, 2024, 12:47:31 PM
Yvan Lacroix(?) has a YouTube video on removing and replacing the windshield on his DL3. You will have to search to find it, but it's a great video if I recall correctly.

I gave Yvan all new gasket for the windshields when I sold him the bus, new gaskets make life a lot easier when installing windshields, gave him the windshields too I broke one with a 2x2,those are a bear without help and the right tools they always drop on the lower corner and if you chip the edge they break BTDT

Melbo · September 06, 2024, 05:42:40 PM

I bought my bus 20 years ago and the windshields were both broke. I got new glass and had two different companies try to install them and they couldn't. I found an original MC8 windshield frame at a bus boneyard in Missouri and went and got it brought it home and carefullly measured and installed it. The windshields still did not fit so I took a windshield and fit a gasket around it ( i cut the gasket in half so it just covered the edge of the glass ) cut and welded a fixed frame and an exterior ring. The two parts bolted together and held the windshield. I attached the inner side the the frame where the windshield goes and sealed it well then using sealant put the gasket fitted windshield into the frame and bolted the outer ring on top to hold it in place. I have had to replace the windshield and I just un bolt the outer ring and refit the new one and bolt it back into place. It was not the best solution but one I could afford and has worked for lots of years.

Melbo

mqbus767 · September 07, 2024, 01:51:42 AM

Melbo, that's pretty clever.

luvrbus · September 07, 2024, 07:47:06 AM

MCI and Greyhound had a process to square the cap up before installing windshields they used 2 hardwood blocks at the radius corners with a porta power to square the frame back to the OEM specs I tried to find it the manuals but no luck, I used the same process on my Eagle you will be amazed how far off the square on a cap can be

mqbus767 · September 07, 2024, 04:38:53 PM

Yes, I think that is one of the factors at play. The gasket (brand new) seems to have fit way too tight when I reinstalled it. The boys at Houston Metro gooped sealant all around the edges. It looks like they had recurring issues too.

Jim Blackwood · September 09, 2024, 05:36:47 AM

Huh. I replaced the driver's side on my DL3 and although the new glass didn't want to go into the gasket evenly all the way around, I just kept hand slapping it, shoving on it, letting it sit awhile and going back to it until it finally settled in. Hasn't leaked that I can tell but then again I haven't driven it in a rainstorm yet either.

Jim

chessie4905 · September 18, 2024, 06:37:56 AM

The only thought I have about this, is that would normal body flex break glass if using the mounting caulk? A normal used seal assy MAY allow more flex? 🤔

belfert · September 26, 2024, 10:24:37 AM

The windshields on my Dina are a PITA to replace. C&J Bus Repair won't do it for me anymore as they lost money the last time around even though they charged several thousand dollars. They cracked the first windshield and had my bus occupying a bay for a week or more waiting for the replacement. They lost a lot of money with that bay tied up.