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MG MGB Technical - Windshield replacement


Years ago I had my windshield replaced at a local glass shop. I'd just gotten the B and had read how involved the job was.

To my suprise he called about 2 hours later to say it was finished. He explained his method:

Didn't remove the frame; just loosened the 4 body bolts and removed the frame's screws. Then spread apart the frame at the top, put the new screen in and tightened the fasteners. Reused the gasket.

It leaked a little. Thin bead of silicone cured that.

The shop is long gone, and it's again replacement time.

Anyone ever heard of this method?








Phil Collura

I think it would be tough to get enough spread at the top to remove the top bar without damage, can't say it is impossable but I don't think I would try it. If you need to replace the gasket around the glass I don't think you could do it this way.
John H

I took the screen out of my car last week to renew the screen rubber, and i would be very interested to see someone remove and refit a front screen like that as long as it was not on my car, by the time you have slackened off the screen pillar bolts you might aswell take them out remove the screen and do it on the bench.
andy tilney

On further thought, spreading the frame at the top will bend the brackets that hold the frame sides to the bottom rails, something you really don't want to do.
John H

I did my glass replacement myself 2 years ago and it is a"bugger" of a job. The shop I bought the glass from only charges $85 to do it so next time I will have it done. I asked how he does it and he has been doing it for years by the method you describe, loosening the bolts and spreading the top open.I gather its a fairly common method by experienced glass shops. He owns a TD and is well experienced with most recent MGs.
Just my comment FWIW
Gil Price

Yes it definitely would bend the bottom bracket however I think you could do it a few times before the bracket cracked. There is a possibility that the bottom wouldn't be as tight as it should. There is also a good chance you would break or lose the spacers at the bottom. It explains what happened to mine I think and why I had to replace the windscreen (and spacers). It would also explain why my bottom brackets were so particularly difficult to align with the screw holes.
This approach is a quick fix, don't worry about the consequences for the next person approach. A bodge. Good for short term business, bad for customers, bad for long term business. Don't go near anyone who will do this.
Peter Sherman

Using current BB tech discussed the last few years for windscreen glass replacement ( archive available I'd bet), it can be done on the bench in a smidge over an hour. The plus on bench replacement is that you have a new body, 2 pillar, and 2 side light frame seals in place. With of course, new unrusted hold screws and brackets. I did 3 over the last couple years, using the c-clamp, 1/4 inch rope pull, and all new rubber, none over 2 hours start to finish. Don't see the value of in sitio if you have to nearly withdraw the bottom bracket bolts. Cheers VEM
vem myers

Thanks for the reponses. I always appreciate differing opinions.
BTW, I didn't mention that it was replaced again (4 -5 years later - on a bench) An all day affair! There weren't any signs of damage, that's why I was considering doing that way.

In case you're wondering why so many replacements are needed, with our NY hi-speed, close quarters driving, windshields are badly pitted in only 3 years or so. My 2001 PT Cruiser is over a year overdue for windshield #3.

Gil, where in NY did you have yours done?
Phil Collura

Phil
I'm way up on the NE part of NEW YORK --so the shop I used is in Plattsburgh NY--Johnson Auto Glass.
BTW --when I did mine on the bench I had to salvage the badly corroded corner inserts and replaced all screws with stainless.It was a learning experience for sure, I just redid the windscrren on my GT cant say the rubber was any more fun, but again another learning experience.Is there a glass shop in my future --LOL
Gil Price

Gil - thanks for the response - OK, too cold for a trip up north. Trip to Nevada sounds appealing though ...
Phil Collura

I'm surprised it worked. When I had a new glass and glazing seal the hardest job was getting the sides of the frame pulled back in together to get the screws into the top and bottom rails. A year or so later I had to have it replaced again and it was nearly as bad reusing the 'old' seal. Ok it wasn't that old, and a much older seal would probably be harder and slippier to slide down the sides of the frame, but I'm still surprised.
Paul Hunt 2

This thread was discussed between 27/11/2007 and 01/12/2007

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