Oh no

[Oldguy48]

In the last few days, good progress had been made. New tinted windshield installed and dashboard put back in place. While reinstalling the windshield garnish moulding, a crack in the windshield appeared.

Aaaarrrgh ! It was about 2 or 3 inches long horizontally starting on the vertical edge of the glass on the passenger side. I guess I must have tightened the garnish screws too much. If anyone has any tips or advice on my foul-up, I would appreciate it. I guess it could have been worse since I hadn’t completed the dashboard wiring, or installed the stainless reveal on the windshield yet.

[Mark D]

Side question... Was your glass locally sourced or did you get it mail order? I've got a bad crack on the passenger side that seems to be growing. Interested in hearing that the quality and shape was good? I'm not sure if I'd attempt this myself at this point. Got a buddgy that runs a windshield replacement shop here in central Mass. I'd likely bring it to him and reward him with 24 cans of thanks after the jobs done.

[Oldguy48]

It was cut at a local glass shop. Slight green tint and looked great...until the crack appeared.

[Fluid drive]

OLdguy:

I grew up installing those windshields -- P-15? The garnish mouldings in a P-15 fit against the rubber channell that seals the windshield and I doubt that you started that runner by tightening the screws - although it is possible. If you are using an old rubber look carefully to be certain that there are no remaining small pieces of glass still hiding in it or any uneven or sharp protrusions in the body flange. More than likely there was an edge defect in the glass when it was cut. Those windshields are cut from flat laminated safety glass over an original windshield or a pattern. Any goof up on the part of the glass man cutting them can result in a small chip that will show up a crack or

'runner' when a slight amount of pressure is applied to the glass.

Unfortuneately most 'tinted' safety glass made these days is only tinted in the poly vinyl center not the glass. After prolonged exposure to the sun they fade until the only tinted potrions are those in the rubber around the edges.

Fluid Drive

[Oldguy48]

Thanks for the information. It is a P15, and when we change the glass out, I'll look more carefully at the pinch weld area. I did notice that the windshield was a bit snug when we put it in, but the new glass seemed to be sized just like the originals. The rubber was purchased from Steele, and was brand new.

[Mark Haymond]

You said it was a bit snug when you put it in. I broke a new passenger side windshield glass trying to install it. I discovered the glass shop simply traced around my old glass as a pattern, and my new glass was a bit too big all the way around. Disgusted, I went to another glass shop and had more glass cut. These went in easily. No cracks developed. I also got my rubber from Steel.