Windscreen replacement DIY?

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Stempy
Posts: 1626
Joined: 26 Feb 2004, 23:21
Location: Cloud Cuckooland
My Cars: C5 V6 Mk1 assainated by wife
Renault Kangoo 1.6 auto, tarted up and remapped
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Windscreen replacement DIY?

Post by Stempy »

Or is it a job best left to the 'experts'?

Also, anyone know where I can get the twist lock 509t type bulbs that will fit in the heater control panel? The only ones I can find will fit in the bulb holder but then the bulb holder wont fit back in the control plate because the back bit of the bulb protrudes rather more than the original fitment and fouls the main assembly.
It infuriates me to be wrong when I know I'm right

Lexia ponce

http://perception.dyndns.biz/~avengineering/index.htm
andmcit
Posts: 4299
Joined: 03 Mar 2005, 17:59
Location: Swansea - South Wales
My Cars:
x 30

Post by andmcit »

Bonded in so you'll have to have the wire chord to cut the old one out first;
seen it done [actually helped the windscreen blokey wire the screen out].
The bonding in of a replacement again will need specialist help too. I got a
quote of 40quid to fit a SH screen into a car by another mobile screen fitting
fella - he works in tandem with the local silly price scrappy and they quoted
30-40 for a good salvageed screen from a donor in their yard and 60quid for
a new one before fitting!!

The reason I've gone down this route was the recent demise of a Xant
estate that had it's front chassis well wurgled but had a practically perfect
60k mile bodyshell otherwise - I had the screen and the two rear side
windows cut out for safe storage for 40quid - couldn't bear seeing them
shatter as the bodyshell got lifted by grab arm off the trailer so I paid up!!

I've got a rather dramatic lightning bolt fork right accross the screen like
a pair of stag's antlers [originating from the rear view mirror mounting]
on a 16v VSX recent ebay purchase so will have my good SH screen fitted
for 40quid - seems reasonable as the car isn't insured at the mo and will
incur 60quid excess if it was done through the insurance...

I'd try this route before doing it DIY and I ALWAYS tackle anything else if I can!!

Andrew
Stempy
Posts: 1626
Joined: 26 Feb 2004, 23:21
Location: Cloud Cuckooland
My Cars: C5 V6 Mk1 assainated by wife
Renault Kangoo 1.6 auto, tarted up and remapped
Still missing the Xantia V6
Not missing the AX
Contact:

Post by Stempy »

Thanks for that. I had a feeling it would be a specialist type job. Did a bit of a search on windscreen firms and it seems there are certain procedures that need to be followed, and they use special bonding agents to ensure airbag reliability, so it's not just a case of a bit of kitchen sealer round the edge. :lol:
It infuriates me to be wrong when I know I'm right

Lexia ponce

http://perception.dyndns.biz/~avengineering/index.htm
andmcit
Posts: 4299
Joined: 03 Mar 2005, 17:59
Location: Swansea - South Wales
My Cars:
x 30

Post by andmcit »

Apparently, the front screen actually reinforces the strength of the A pillars!
Bit like a circular drum's stretched covering helping the whole structural
rigidity and shape.

The relatively easy part is actually using bespoke cutting wire to take an old
screen out - as I say, I helped a screen fitter. The trick is to remove the
[expensive] screen edging trim and the plastic scuttle. You start at the top
corner and feed the wire until you see it bridge into the inside of the car
- you then cut this bridge and attach a handle to then pull the wire through
the remaining bonded edges.

There are apparently some rubber 'feet' that determine the height the screen
sits onto the pillars as a kind of support and these can be tricky to cut
through with the wire. Obviously, the right position bonding agent and time
to cure will need to be applied to get it right! I don't fancy crossing my fingers
when it rains or the car goes over rough ground or is jacked up to see if
it's fitted in properly... :lol:

Andrew
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