240 windshield replacement

  • Thread starter Thread starter James Sweet
  • Start date Start date
J

James Sweet

I have too many cars, one of them is an old '81 242 which I'm fixing up
a bit to sell. It needs a new windshield, badly cracked and leaking.
There's plenty of decent glass at the local wreckers but how do I get
one in and out? Is it within the realm of a shadetree mechanic? Any
special tools I need? I've replaced rear windows in 240s but the
windshields install much differently.
 
James said:
I have too many cars, one of them is an old '81 242 which I'm fixing up
a bit to sell. It needs a new windshield, badly cracked and leaking.
There's plenty of decent glass at the local wreckers but how do I get
one in and out? Is it within the realm of a shadetree mechanic? Any
special tools I need? I've replaced rear windows in 240s but the
windshields install much differently.
Click to expand...

Select a windshield without obvious blemishes
Gently pry a small hole in a corner of the window thorough the sealant
Insert a innerwire brakecable from a bicycle and affix two grips
Carefully saw through the sealant. Go completely round, do not saw on
the edges of windshield or surround. Lift the window with a helper
You'll probably find it easier to glue the window with a liquid sealer
(sikaflex) instead of a tape
 
I tried it using "brute force" and it was not fun. I pryed away a
corner, then using thick leather gloves I literally just ripped it out
going all the way around. Later, I dug tiny shards of glass out of my
butt every time I had to get onto the car floor to do other work.
Glass goes everywhere.

I hear that method with the wire works well. If it has that gooey
black tar adhesive, that was a pain to remove. I'm not sure how much
is supposed to be cleaned off, but I got mine down to clean metal.
That is not a job I would do like that again. I'd try it the way the
glass guys do.

jb
 
Removal and replacement of a windshield is not a job I would want to
attempt myself. I will do pretty much any other repair, though. Find
a good self-employed guy, preferably by word of mouth. I did, and got
a great job at a good price: $170, cash, to remove, raplace, and
reseal. He used the newer rubber surround, and it looks great. Avoid
the shops that advertise, they cost too much.
 
Mr. V said:
Removal and replacement of a windshield is not a job I would want to
attempt myself. I will do pretty much any other repair, though. Find
a good self-employed guy, preferably by word of mouth. I did, and got
a great job at a good price: $170, cash, to remove, raplace, and
reseal. He used the newer rubber surround, and it looks great. Avoid
the shops that advertise, they cost too much.
Click to expand...


$170 is a good price, but it's too much for this car. I'll get maybe
$1100 for it when I sell the thing, if I'm lucky. If I can't swap the
glass out myself I'll shoot some caulk in the leak and let the next
owner deal with it.
 
Jamie said:
I tried it using "brute force" and it was not fun. I pryed away a
corner, then using thick leather gloves I literally just ripped it out
going all the way around. Later, I dug tiny shards of glass out of my
butt every time I had to get onto the car floor to do other work.
Glass goes everywhere.

I hear that method with the wire works well. If it has that gooey
black tar adhesive, that was a pain to remove. I'm not sure how much
is supposed to be cleaned off, but I got mine down to clean metal.
That is not a job I would do like that again. I'd try it the way the
glass guys do.

jb
Click to expand...

I don't know if the '69 164 used the same design, but I was
able to replace one of those windshields with no prior experience
(I was still in high school), with two female classmates as
helpers. As I recall, I simply sat in the driver's seat near the
center, placed my feet on the windshield, and slowly and carefull
applied outward pressure with my legs until the windshield
unseated itself. Rubber spacer blocks aided in positioning the
replacement...
 
mjc said:
I don't know if the '69 164 used the same design, but I was able to
replace one of those windshields with no prior experience (I was still
in high school), with two female classmates as helpers. As I recall, I
simply sat in the driver's seat near the center, placed my feet on the
windshield, and slowly and carefull applied outward pressure with my
legs until the windshield unseated itself. Rubber spacer blocks aided in
positioning the replacement...
Click to expand...

68-69 is the odd year out, later models have a glued windshield, easily
discerned by the chrome or plastis surround

--
 
I don't know if the '69 164 used the same design, but I was
able to replace one of those windshields with no prior experience
(I was still in high school), with two female classmates as
helpers. As I recall, I simply sat in the driver's seat near the
center, placed my feet on the windshield, and slowly and carefull
applied outward pressure with my legs until the windshield
unseated itself. Rubber spacer blocks aided in positioning the
replacement...
Click to expand...

If the windshield is cracked it may break using this method. It might
still work but be sure to tuck your pantlegs into your socks... glass
shards down your trousers, especially when you're not in a position to
easily shake them out, would be no fun at all.

blurp
 
mjc said:
I don't know if the '69 164 used the same design, but I was able to
replace one of those windshields with no prior experience (I was still
in high school), with two female classmates as helpers. As I recall, I
simply sat in the driver's seat near the center, placed my feet on the
windshield, and slowly and carefull applied outward pressure with my
legs until the windshield unseated itself. Rubber spacer blocks aided in
positioning the replacement...
Click to expand...

That was the old rubber gasket style mounting. Newer vehicles have
their windshields glued into place.
 
John said:
That was the old rubber gasket style mounting. Newer vehicles have
their windshields glued into place.
Click to expand...


No, it was glued in. I was surprised, because I expected the gasket.
 
I didn't install my windshield myself (I removed it only), because I
was told that the windshield provides strength to the chassis in a
rollover. If the window pops out, the roof collapses. I could have
glued it myself, but didn't want that on my conscience.

JB
 
Jamie said:
I didn't install my windshield myself (I removed it only), because I
was told that the windshield provides strength to the chassis in a
rollover. If the window pops out, the roof collapses. I could have
glued it myself, but didn't want that on my conscience.

JB
Click to expand...

As I recall (and again, this was on a '69 164) the installation was
straightforward. Clean the glass with a supplied treated cloth, then
form the putty-like adhesive onto the lip - it already came in the right
shape. Place a couple of rubber blocks under the front, and press the
glass into place.
 
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