Windshield Installation-59

[Paul Robinson]

My windshield separated because I tightened it too much or because I did not use enough shims on one side causing it to tweak. I have removed it and am ready to reinstall it, but want to know how much I should tighten the nuts. Any help?

[Joe Maulsby]

Re: Windshield Installation-59

What do you mean by "windshield separated? Bottom frame separated from top part of frame? Glass delaminated?

[Ed Jennings]

Re: Windshield Installation-59

Paul, are you saying that the lack of rear shims allowed the side posts to rotate back far enough to make the glass come out of the channel at the bottom? It really shouldn't be able to do that if your frame is assembled properly. Ae either of your side post tabs broken? If they have been repaired, are the screws holding the new tabs on tight? The windshield assy should be pretty darn rigid. Give us a bit more info.

[Paul Robinson]

Re: Windshield Installation-59

Because the windshield frame was firmly bolted, and the fiberglass was not even on both sides, the frame separated from itself leaving a space between the glass and the metal. I don't know how to assess how many shims to use on both sides, or how much torque to put on the bolts.

[James F.]

Re: Windshield Installation-59

Paul,
I don't have a clear picture of what is wrong with the body to windshield fit. However, the shims under the windshield posts are intended to correct the distance between any misfit between the soft/hard top latch pins relative to the soft top pivot or hartop pins points on the body behind the doors. Shim purpose is not to correct gap problems with the body. The windshield assembly sitting (not bolted) on the body should reflect a consistant gap across the body area. The AIM is a good reference. Possibly your car body has been repaired at one time without reference to the windshield assembly fit? The windshield post bolts and the 1/4" X 20 washer/nuts should not require any heavy torquing. Regards,

[Ed Jennings]

Re: Windshield Installation-59

Do you by any chance have a digital camera? If so, please email me a picture of the separated area. Something doesn't sound right. Normally, one or perhaps two of the rubber shims in the rear corners is all it takes to fill the gap. The four 1/2" nuts at the rear corners should be pretty snug, but I can't see them pulling the frame apart even if overtorqued or not being shimmed quite right. I'm questioning whether your frame is properly assembled or if there is some issue with the body being out of jig. Did the w/s fit properly before being removed? That would eliminate the latter as a possibility if it did fit properly before.

[Mike G.]

Broken tabs?

Sure sounds to me like broken tabs on the windshield posts. They are what keep the frame rigid. I'd guess the side posts and upper channel (now a unified assembly separate from the lower channel) are rocking back with the pivot point being right where the side posts meet the lower channel.