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Windshield R&R [message #285901]

Wed, 26 August 2015 11:25

Hal StClair

Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM

Karma: -12

Senior Member

I'm trying to avoid it but I may have to R&R the windshields to fasten the new dash in place. Wondering if there are any suggestions from those that have done this before? I've done my Bus glass before and don't look forward to the job. On the install, what is the method for 'roping' the rubber seal? Do you place the seal on the glass and rope the whole assembly into the shell or set the rubber into the coach and rope the glass into the already installed rubber? Hope this makes sense.
Thanks for any words of knowledge,
Hal

"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind, except you happen to be insane." 1977 Royale 101348, 1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered, 1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout, Rio Rancho, NM

[Updated on: Wed, 26 August 2015 11:26]

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Re: Windshield R&R [message #285908 is a reply to message #285901]

Wed, 26 August 2015 12:32

Adrien G.

Messages: 474
Registered: May 2008
Location: Burns Flat, OK 73624

Karma: 1

Senior Member

Hal StClair wrote on Wed, 26 August 2015 11:25

I'm trying to avoid it but I may have to R&R the windshields to fasten the new dash in place. Wondering if there are any suggestions from those that have done this before? I've done my Bus glass before and don't look forward to the job. On the install, what is the method for 'roping' the rubber seal? Do you place the seal on the glass and rope the whole assembly into the shell or set the rubber into the coach and rope the glass into the already installed rubber? Hope this makes sense.
Thanks for any words of knowledge,
Hal

Hal, I had to R&R the windshield when I removed & repaired the dash unit. The glass angle prevented me from getting to the screw heads at an angle good enough to remove them, and if you did get them out you'll not get them in. It will be a better job by R&R the windshields.
Also to remove the dash, the side panels have to be removed.
With dash out, you can seal & insulate firewall, paint where needed, repair &/or cover dash, seal air duct inlet & outlets, check the top body gasket lip for any potential leak areas (there are 2 panel joints there), and, and whatever else you can think of.

To install glass, put gasket on body with some gasket sealer, and work glass in from outside to center. I didn't use a rope, I used a hook tool to pull the gasket lip over the glass. Get help, removal and install is a 2 person job.

Looking back, it was more time consuming then hard.

Adrien & Jenny Genesoto 75 Glenbrook (26-3) Mods LS3.70 FD / Reaction Sys / 80mm Front&Intermidiate / Hydroboost / 16" Tires / Frame Rebuild / Interior Rebuild Yuba City,Ca. Text 530-nine-3-three-3-nine-nine-6

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Re: [GMCnet] Windshield R&R [message #285909 is a reply to message #285901]

Wed, 26 August 2015 12:36

powerjon

Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004

Karma: 5

Senior Member

Hal,
I have had windshields replaced on 2 coaches and RULE #1 is DO NOT REMOVE the rubber gasket from the body if at all possible! You will play hell getting the gasket back in the right position, be it old or new gasket, the new being even worse. It is so much easier to install the glass into the gasket and it will take at least 2 people to do the installation one inside and one outside and the correct glass installation tools. I really is not a do it yourself job although some have done it and there is a good chance that you may crack you glass either going in or coming out. I have seen it done twice and I will not do it myself. You also need to get your hands on the rubber lube and windshield sealant that is used to install windshield glass.

JR Wright
GMC Great Laker MHC
GMC Eastern States
GMCGL Tech Editor
GMCMHI
78 GMC Buskirk 30’ Stretch
1975 GMC Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan

> On Aug 26, 2015, at 12:25 PM, Hal StClair wrote:
>
> I'm trying to avoid it but I may have to R&R the windshields to fasten the new dash in place. Wondering if there are any suggestions from those that
> have done this before? I've done my Bus glass before and don't look forward to the job. On the install, what is the method for 'roping' the rubber
> seal? Do you place the seal on the glass and rope the whole assembly into the shell or set the rubber into the coach and rope the glass into the
> already installed rubber? Hope this makes sense.
> Thanks for any words knowledge,
> Hal
> --
> 1977 Royale 101348,
>
> 1977 Royale 101586,
>
> 1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

_______________________________________________
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan

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Re: [GMCnet] Windshield R&R [message #285926 is a reply to message #285909]

Wed, 26 August 2015 16:50

Ken Burton

Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana

Karma: 10

Senior Member

I have watch the professional windshield guys install at least 30 of them over the years. JR is entirely correct in his posting. Upon removing them they break about 50% for them even when they are trying to save them. Leave the old gasket in place and remove the outside lock ring. Lubricate everything on the window to gasket surface of the gasket. You will need some suction cup glass handle to grab the windshield and tools to run along the edge of the windshield.

Good Luck.

I would not try it myself but other GMCers have done it successfully.

Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

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Re: [GMCnet] Windshield R&R [message #285929 is a reply to message #285926]

Wed, 26 August 2015 17:56

tphipps

Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL

Karma: 9

Senior Member

Try this to handle the glass. It works very well when I installed the side windows.

http://www.harborfreight.com/dual-cup-suction-lifter-46134.html

Tom, MS II

2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552 KA4CSG

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Re: Windshield R&R [message #285945 is a reply to message #285908]

Wed, 26 August 2015 19:03

Adrien G.

Messages: 474
Registered: May 2008
Location: Burns Flat, OK 73624

Karma: 1

Senior Member

Adrien G. wrote on Wed, 26 August 2015 12:32

Hal StClair wrote on Wed, 26 August 2015 11:25
I'm trying to avoid it but I may have to R&R the windshields to fasten the new dash in place. Wondering if there are any suggestions from those that have done this before? I've done my Bus glass before and don't look forward to the job. On the install, what is the method for 'roping' the rubber seal? Do you place the seal on the glass and rope the whole assembly into the shell or set the rubber into the coach and rope the glass into the already installed rubber? Hope this makes sense.
Thanks for any words of knowledge,
Hal

Hal, I had to R&R the windshield when I removed & repaired the dash unit. The glass angle prevented me from getting to the screw heads at an angle good enough to remove them, and if you did get them out you'll not get them in. It will be a better job by R&R the windshields.
Also to remove the dash, the side panels have to be removed.
With dash out, you can seal & insulate firewall, paint where needed, repair &/or cover dash, seal air duct inlet & outlets, check the top body gasket lip for any potential leak areas (there are 2 panel joints there), and, and whatever else you can think of.

To install glass, put gasket on body with some gasket sealer, and work glass in from outside to center. I didn't use a rope, I used a hook tool to pull the gasket lip over the glass. Get help, removal and install is a 2 person job.

Looking back, it was more time consuming then hard.

PS. The old gasket was brittle so I cut the lips to remove the glass. Used a new (not cheap) gasket and installed the same glass.
If you don't try to rush the job to force the glass in the gasket, it worked for me and also resolved a leak under hard rain condition.

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Re: [GMCnet] Windshield R&R [message #285947 is a reply to message #285929]

Wed, 26 August 2015 19:36

Hal StClair

Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM

Karma: -12

Senior Member

I have the professional suction cup tools and the lock ring tool but hate the idea of doing it myself. I've installed three in my bus and hated doing it every time. I was quoted $400 to have them R&R'd with no guarantee they won't break them. Tough call for sure.
Hal

[Updated on: Wed, 26 August 2015 19:36]

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Re: [GMCnet] Windshield R&R [message #285948 is a reply to message #285901]

Wed, 26 August 2015 19:43

USAussie

Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia

Karma: 6

Senior Member

Hal,

Here's a procedure that I received from Paul Doane awhile back.

************************************************************************************************************************************
*************

GMC WINDSHIELD INSTALLATION:

I have no professional training in this field. I watched the process several times & gave it a try. I have put in 5 windshields
including one that was 15 years old & not broken any. If I can do it so can you. .

Do not force corners in particular as they are the most prone to crack.

Basics:

Do Not use metal implements, ie screwdrivers Be patient, never force the windshield, work at the area with your tools & push a bit
at a time.

Thoroughly clean the seal grove.

Cold and old glass is brittle, install in warm ambient temp.

Use plenty of lubricant. Soap will leave a residue when it dries to which the sealant will not adhere i.e. it leaks C L Lawrence has
a produce called Glass Slip for this.

Permatex has a product called Flowable Windshield Glass Sealer and Dow produces Primerless Auto Glass Urethane Adhesive When sealing
the seal, seal all surfaces i.e., seal to body & seal to glass. Be generous & clean excess off as soon as possible Two people are
necessary for this job. Your wife /partner / lover should not be one of these & all three are definitely not recommended.

Place glass in the u grove of the seal in the area indicated by #1 (outer lower curved area of the seal) Slide & work glass back
into u groove of seal of the vertical pillar next to cockpit window. Suction cups will help here but do not place them on the front
surface of the glass because pulling from this direction will tend to fold & break the glass. Place them on the surface that runs
parallel to the side of the coach & push backwards gently all the time working the glass into the u grove.

Slide and work top lateral corner into place using attached suction cups. Pushing down with suction cups working along the top
seal.

Your helper should be supporting the lower glass surface at this point.

Work in center seal by pushing windshield laterally [be patient].

Push up on windshield and work lower seal around glass.( the glass will tend to gravitate downward once you get the upper seal in
place

The lower curved section will be the most difficult so be slow and patient, do not use metal tools, use neoprene stick. I use a
Tupperware spatula and put a chisel point a on the handle. Also use a couple of broad spatula type tools to help keep the windshield
in position as you work

BE PATIENT, TAKE YOUR TIME, TAKE A BREAK, USE COLORFUL LANGUAGE, YOU WILL SUCCEED.

Good luck
Paul Doane, Halifax, NS

************************************************************************************************************************************
*************

My additional comments:

1) Do one side at a time, if you take both windshields out at the same time the roof could drop and make it harder to get the new
windshield in.

2) Clean the slot in the seal over and over until it is hospital clean. Dirt in that seal retains moisture which migrates into the
plastic between the glass and fogs it.

3) Coat the edge of the windshields to seal them. When I assisted the glass installer Ken Burton arranged at a GMCMI Convention he
gave me a can of "stuff" that had a ball applicator (like the one's in liquid shoe polish) to coat the edges of my windshields.

4) Be VERY careful when installing the curved section, DO NOT push on the part of the windshield that runs fore / aft or you WILL
crack it!

5) When the windshield is in squirt black RTV between the seal and the windshield. That will keep water / dirt ingress into the seal
and stop fogging completely!

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic

-----Original Message-----
From: Hal StClair

I'm trying to avoid it but I may have to R&R the windshields to fasten the new dash in place. Wondering if there are any suggestions
from those that have done this before? I've done my Bus glass before and don't look forward to the job. On the install, what is the
method for 'roping' the rubber seal? Do you place the seal on the glass and rope the whole assembly into the shell or set the rubber
into the coach and rope the glass into the already installed rubber? Hope this makes sense.
Thanks for any words knowledge,
Hal

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

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Re: [GMCnet] Windshield R&R [message #285981 is a reply to message #285948]

Thu, 27 August 2015 11:19

thesmith

Messages: 589
Registered: February 2015
Location: Cary, NC

Karma: 6

Senior Member

Note to self......make sure coach purchased has good glass Smile

Cary, NC 1978 Center Kitchen Royale.

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