Anyone ever replaced a windshield?

[norcalfocus01]

So my wagon's windshield is cracked and the seal is leaking. (air only) My local Pick n Pull is having a half price weekend this weekend, and they have a few good foci windshields out there. I was thinking about replacing my wagons on my own. It can't be that hard to do.

All I need to get is the right sealant and replace the gasket, right? ANyone got any thoughts on this or have done it themself's?

[justin_jkj]

Man. I've tried it and maybe I dident go about it the right way. but that dam thing is in there! I tried the guitar string method and i got nowhere, Tried heading it with a heat gun and used a putty knife and got half way accross and the damn thing cracked! Then i gave up and left it to people who do it everyday for a living. also the strip around the windshield has an aluminum strip build into the rubber so you have to deal with that too. Goodluck

[norcalfocus01]

Well that sucks. I'll keep hoping for a positive answer tho.

[Broncoboy80]

Good luck on a easy method. I would love to see a how to on this!

[tracksentinel]

Speaking as a former auto glass technician, I would definitely say leave windshield replacement to the pros.
A proper bond between the car's pinchweld and windshield is not only important for water tightness, but also critical to the structural integrity of the vehicle in an accident and also proper air bag deployment. The glass is supposed to stay in place and deflect the air bag toward the occupant upon deployment.
I have seen hack-n-slash windshield jobs where the windshield completely pops out into the air when passenger air bag has deployed.

Not exactly what one would want to have happen...

[don627]

I agree even if you manage to get the windshield in place it will likely crack in a short time anyway. Many cars today use the windshield as part of the structure of the roof so it actually gets some stress from the roof and car frame moving around.

[norcalfocus01]

Okay so what about getting one out of the junk yard then having a pro install it?

[homeboyjames]

130 for a new windshield installed i checked today at work we have alot of cars come in on lease buy outs and turn ins we buy and have to have them put in because of cracks and chips.

[Broncoboy80]

130? really? that fricken cheap? Like for the glass and laybor combined? How the hell can it be that cheap? Like really that is soooooooooooo cheap haha... ok im done with the questions now. Thank you!

[Flashypants]

I paid 140 installed.. wasn't a bad deal. took less then 30mins

[KaylaKipp2]

Well, I am a mechanic and I would say if you really want to do it yourself...put masking or duct tape on most of the widsheild, put plastic on your dash to catch the glass and urethane that might subject to gravity, break the winshield, remove most of it (with gloves), then use a scraper or razor blade to remove the rest, or buy a cheap widshield removal tool...as for install, one solid bead of urethane and some widsheild primer will do the job. Be sure to tape the widsheild in place until the urethane dries though or you will have other problems. If you don't have windsheild suction cups I suggest you get a set, and a friend to help. But at the end of the day, it is very worth it to have a pro do it. Happy installing.

[norcalfocus01]

Well I know I can have a place install one for 120ish. I was just thinking if it was easy to do, i'd do it myself if was really cheap, like 40.