C1 Windshield Replacement

**Larry P.** · November 22, 2002, 05:47 PM

C1 Windshield

Norm,
If you search the archives, you'll see that a lot of folks have had a
tough time with this windshield. I am handy and have done the majority of
the work on a full 60 restore. I will let a pro put the frame back on my windshield.
Larry

**Christopher R.** · November 22, 2002, 06:44 PM

Re: C1 Windshield Replacement

Search the archives. Lots of advice there. These things are moderately difficult. Most important is that they are expensive and can easily crack. They are very delicate WRT to twist or uneven torque on the hold down bolts. Don't ask how I know. The crack's still there because I don't the heart to redo it. I believe the condition you describe is caused by broken tabs on the side supports. They all break. CC fixes them as do others.

**Christopher R.** · November 22, 2002, 06:45 PM

One More Thing

The procedure is in the ST-12.

**Donald L.** · November 22, 2002, 06:53 PM

Re: C1 Windshield Replacement

Norm
I agree with Larry on this kind of work. Are you going to do further dash work ?
I would replace the ws only if you were restoring the dash pad, dash wiring,gauges,dash insert, heater core, ect.A lot easier and cheaper doing it while
everythings apart.(seen it,done it)

**Norm DiChiara** · November 22, 2002, 08:02 PM

Re: One More Thing

Chris: Help me out and a apologize for my stupidity but what is the st-12?

**Ed Jennings** · November 22, 2002, 08:58 PM

Re: One More Thing

The ST12 is the GM "Corvette Service Guide", available at the NCRS bookstore, or any of the usual vendors. I agree that you may have broken tabs on the side posts. These tabs be repaired fairly inexpensivly. Alternately, you may have a bent channel. In any event, something is amiss and needs correction. A glass shop is likely to have no clue as to how to do this job, as most of their employees weren't born when the cars were common. Read the ST 12, and have a helper available when you do the assembly. If you can locate someone in your area who has done this before it would be helpful, but not essential.

**Mike G.** · November 22, 2002, 09:51 PM

Re: One More Thing

To echo Ed's comment, don't take it to a local glass shop unless you're sure they know what they're doing. A local (L.A.) guy who restores lots of Corvettes told me that even he breaks about one in ten windshields.

CC stands for Corvette Central. They fix the tabs, and the way they do it in fact makes the windshield easier to assemble. E-mail me your address and I'll send you a copy of an article from Vette magazine where they replaced a C1 windshield.

**Ed Jennings** · November 22, 2002, 10:06 PM

Re: One More Thing

If it's the same article I remember, they broke a tab and took it somewhere and got it welded (brazed?). I'd be real careful about welding. Not just anyone can weld this stuff and I'm not sure how well it holds when welded.

**Larry P.** · November 22, 2002, 10:52 PM

Assumptions

We all make assumptions. My glass guy, and his dad, were doing this when they were new. I assume everybody is doing a body off, complete, ground up
restoration. If the Glass pro breaks one out of ten, how may am I gonna break?
Larry

**Norm DiChiara** · November 23, 2002, 08:22 AM

Re: Assumptions

I'm not doing a complete restoration at this time as the car is in good shape, I am just looking at resetting the windshield properly so it is sealed at the base. Norm

**Ed Jennings** · November 23, 2002, 08:53 AM

Re: Assumptions

Norm, If I had a car with the type of problem you describe, I would start by removing the windshield assy from the car for inspection. You are going to have to remove it to correct the problem anyway. There are very clear directions for doing this in the ST12. I will add that there are a total of 12 fastners holding the ws in place, (4) 1/2" nuts, and (8) 7/16" nuts. You will need to remove the defroster ducts to get at two of the 7/16" nuts. The ST 12 says you have to remove the LH wiper transmission, but I have never had to.

Have a helper assist you in lifting the frame off. I have done it by myself several times, but it is a bunch easier with assistance. Once you get the frame assy off the car, you will probably find one or both side post tabs broken. If not, it may be necessary to disassemble the frame to identify the problem. Do keep in mind that repalcement glass will vary just a little from the original. I just put a glass in my 62 and noted that the new one was trimmed a little smaller than the original. As I recall the glass I put in a 61 a couple of years back was also just slightly different than the original. Both fit ok and did not cause a problem, but they were a fraction of an inch off here and there.

**Norm DiChiara** · November 23, 2002, 03:55 PM

Re: Assumptions

Ed; Thanks for the reply. I took a closer look today in the day light and came up with this. The convertible top is brand new and was the last thing the previous owner did before shipping the car to me. When I got it, the top was in the up position, I tested it for operation and noticed that it was very tight to latch. Today, I unlatched the top and when the tension from the top was released, the winshield dropped almost to the original position. I then noticed that pushing and pulling on the side frames allows the whole windshield assembly to rock allowing the windshield to pivot in and our of the bottom track. The top rubber moulding appears to be properly fit and in fact has some black glass adhesive that I think is holding it in place. There is no adhesive or caulking between the glass and rubber molding on the bottom of the windshield or below the rubber molding and the frame. If there was, that would fix the glass in place and I think solve the problem but there is no mention of any adhesive to be placed in the assembly in the ST-12. I am prepared to take the entire windshield assembly off the car but do I need to remove the dash to accomplish this? Your opinion is appreciated. Norm

**Ed Jennings** · November 23, 2002, 06:06 PM

Re: Assumptions

Norm, what you describe further reinforces my opinion that you have broken tabs. BTW, adhesive does not hold anything together, and I recommend that on reassembly you use no adhesive or sealer at all, despite what the ST 12 recommends. That will wait for another day, however.

To remove the windshield you will need to gain access to the 12 fastners holding it. You will have to remove the kick panels on both sides to get access to the 1/2" nuts at the rear corners. You will have top remove the heater cover to get the rt kick panel off. There is one of the smaller nuts under each of the defroster ducts, so they will have to be removed also. The ST 12 says you have to remove the LH wiper transmission to get to one of the nuts, but I never have had to do this. The hardest part about this task is getting started. You shouldn't have to deal with any frozen nuts since the ws has been apart in recent times. Get the ws off and then post your findings. Someone will help you get it fixed and back on.

**Norm DiChiara** · November 23, 2002, 08:21 PM

Re: Assumptions

Ed; Thanks again for the reply....I now know what I will be doing this comming Thanksgiving weekend! If the tab is broken as you suspect, do I need to get a new frame member or is there a way to repair it? The finish on the side frame members are still in good to excellent condition?
Another item would be the dash pad. On one side, the side that the windshield has the most movement, the dash pad appears to be delaminating at the windshields edge....The dashpad is new and looks fine it just appears to have pulled apart in this area. Knowing nothing about how these are put in, if I take the windshield off, could I perhaps heat it and stretch it back into shape and contact cement it down? Norm

C1 Windshield Replacement

C1 Windshield Replacement

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