Windshield install in replacement frame

Guys,

Getting down to final touches to get the SuperJeep back on the road. Having one heck of a time getting the glass and gasket into the replacement frame. Original glass (as far as I know), 4WD gasket and frame. This gasket has the groove and a rubber lock strip just like the original. I've tried wrapping the glass in the gasket and pulling the gasket over the frame and vice versa. Which way is correct? The gasket never wants to stay put while installing. Should I RTV it to either the frame or glass before trying to install? I've tried pulling the rubber using weed trimmer cord. Orienting with the lock groove facing outward, pulling the gasket toward the grooved side. One local shop wants $75 and says if they break the glass they're not responsible. Another shop wants $125 and also says they reserve the right to break my glass without being responsible.

Thanks,
Chilly

 

It can be very difficult. Find a shop to do it besides those two. Don't mention anything about breaking glass.
Really it is not hard to do it without breaking the glass, it is just hard to get the seal in.
If you can't find a better shop, pay the $75.00.

 

I didn't even ask about whether they'd guarantee against breakage. It was the first thing out of their mouth! Sounds like they have a lot of experience...breaking glass.

 

The rubber goes in first, spray well with aerosol glass cleaner-Spray-a-Way works well. put the glass into the gasket, and insert the lockstrip using a lockstrip installation tool. Actually a very simple process. I have seen aftermarket frames be too big or too small and thus need glass cut for it. Once you see someone do one it is kinda like a lightbulb moment.

 

I replaced my frame last year. I had to take it to a shop. It turned out that my glass needed to be shaved down because the frame was smaller.

 

Really? Shave the glass instead of trimming the out-of-spec frame? If I have to punt I'll let the shop do whatever they want. I hope I can figure it out on my own, though. I just don't hardly trust people to do my work for me anymore. Too many people out there willing to take my money who have no more experience with the job than I do. Knwo what I mean?

 

Absolutely.

 

trace the opening in the frame onto cardboard lay the glass on the traced pattern it should be 1/4 to 3/8 smaller than the line all around if not trim the glass bring the pattern to the glass guy and they can trim it for you.....

 

I could not get a body shop to do mine. My wife and I installed ours. It was off the jeep which seemed easier to me. We put the gasket in fiirst, had a big bottle of soapy water, and sprayed it as we went. We used a rope, too small and it kept pulling out the end. Maybe better to use a 5/16 rope or something like that. It came out of the frame 3 or 4 times and we kept trying. When we got it installed (easier with 2 people than one) it seemed really slimy. I realized I had been using Armorall rather than the soap bottle. My wife said she just didn't want to break it to me that I was not using the soap. First windshield came unbroken, I broke it when I slipped walking across the shop. Second windshield came broken. Third windshield was the charm.

 

See...only 3 windshields and you can have yours installed too!

 

cloths line works good for pulling the rubber in, a slight circular motion whilst pulling the rope helps and hold the free end to keep from pulling it out of there

 

Some catalog I saw last year had windshield frame for sale with windshield already installed. Was about the same as the frame/glass price combined. When I ordered my glass I did not know that the bottom of my frame was rusted out, so I ordered the glass and later the frame. If you can send your items back, that might be an option. The three windshield glass method does stimulate the economy.

 

If I needed new glass I'd have considered the pre-built windshield assemblies but my glass is fine. I'll try another time or two before I give up. Might RTV the gasket to the glass to keep it from squirming out of place when I pull the rip-cord. Thanks for all of the advice. I'll try some more and punt if I can't get it.

 

You need to put the gasket into the frame and then put the glass into the gasket. Absolutely no cord needed for lockstrip type gasket. You only need to use cord for a gasket that does NOT have a lockstrip. Do you have a new gasket? The easiest way to break a piece of glass is to try to put one in with a old stiff gasket. If you have the right gasket and the glass is the proper size for the frame it is a VERY simple install.

 

This is one of those projects that needs a tutorial with pics. I'll be doing my frame and glass eventually too, as will a few others I'm sure.

 

New gasket. Old one went to pieces during disassembly.

So shall I RTV the gasket before I start? The gasket just won't stay put otherwise.

 

I have installed glass in both my CJ's and an old VW baja-bug,, same principle. It is a 2 person job if you want it to go easily.
I put the gasket around the glass , lube the frame and gasket with glass cleaner or soapy water. put a long length of parachute cord into the channel for the frame all the way around and have a friend hold the glass in place from the front of the frame
(I start top-center). Have him gently put pressure on the area from where you are pulling the cord, which pulls the channel edge over the frame. Go slow and steady and if you meet too much resistance stop to re-assess the situation. Should go right in.

 

OK, so I'm starting to think there is a different method depending on the gasket. If a gasket has a locking strip one should glue the gasket to the frame then insert glass into gasket. If gasket is the kind without a locking strip then you wrap the gasket around the glass and pull the lip over the frame. My FSM says my gasket should be glued to the gasket then load the glass into the gasket so that's what I'll try. I think the other method may be fine for later model jeeps but I'm thinking the old kind are different.

 

OK, here's an update. I finally got the glass into the frame and all that is left is to install the locking strip. A friend of mine has that tool to slip it in so I don't anticipate too much difficulty with that.

My method was to actually follow the FSM instructions. I know, radical concept. The manual says to apply a 3/16" bead of medium body sealer in the groove that engages the frame. I don't know what that stuff is but I did find some stuff that worked. It is 3M brand part number 08509, Automotive Bedding and Glazing Compound. I installed gasket to the frame then worked the glass into the gasket using a small flat bladed screwdriver that I'd sanded and blended to remove sharp corners and burrs. I had frame laying across saw horses with outside facing upward. I laid the glass on top of the gasket and started working it into the bottom corner, then across the bottom. Then I tilted it up and pushed the glass down completely into the groove. My helper and I then worked up both sides. I didn't try to actually seat the glass into the side grooves, yet, just pulled the lip up onto the edges of the glass. After working across the top the same way we pushed the glass down so the lip slid up over the edge and the glass finally slid into the groove.

3M caulk tube description:
"A non-hardening water resistant medium bodied product for sealing auto body seams and between windshield rubber and car body. Can also be used to seal around mouldings and to attach door water shields. Remains permanently soft and pliable to absorb movement in auto body. Dry rag clean up."

 

I'm gonna ressurect an old thread. How does the seal install in the frame? The locking strip goes on the outside I know, but how do I orient the seal that goes into the frame first. It appears as if the two groves are different. A shallow side(windshield?) and a deeper side(frame?). Any help is great. If anyone needs pics I can do that too, but I'm trying to get my new glass and seals installed in my freshly painted frame.