Date:         Mon, 17 May 2004 23:36:00 -0700
Reply-To:     Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Subject:      Re: windshield replacement
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Well yes, and no. Actually, what I am thinking about are these two goofs
(gooves?!) that I saw bust a windshield up years ago in school. After
listening carefully to the lecture on how carry the thing, these guys picked
it up out of its box and proceeded to pretty much do everything they were
just told not to do. They put a twist and a bend on it at the same time
(i.e. they turned the corners away from each other lengthwise and put inward
pressure on it, towards each other)- it happened really fast and was kind of
weird to see, in that one second it looked fine, then maybe not, then it
popped. It gave no real sign of actually being under stress, they just
looked kind of awkward before it let go.
    When it was over, it was on the floor in three larger pieces and many,
many smaller ones, all held together by the laminate, but, there were little
chunks of glass all over the place; in our hair, etc. We found some later
during cleanup that had gone all the way across the shop. One of the guys
that had been 'handling' the windshield had a bunch of cuts in one hand.
Yeah, it's supposed to be 'safety glass', but I wouldn't bet my eyes on it.
    It occurs to me in thinking about it now that it might break more freely
or violently out in open air than it would secured in a frame.
    Anyway, I guess my point to the other Robert is more that the danger
signs of mishandling a windshield can be pretty subtle and you can be past
the point of no return before you even realize you're in trouble. Talk the
move out beforehand, go together slowly and steadily, keep it in its normal
upright position and avoid weird angles.

Robert
'87 GL

----- Original Message -----
From: <jeff@vanagonparts.com>
To: "Robert Fisher" <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 4:11 PM
Subject: RE: windshield replacement


> Robert,
>
> You're thinking about side and rear windows.  The windshield is laminated
> safety glass, when it breaks you're left with a complete window with lots
of
> cracks in it.  Same difference though.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Jeff
> www.vanagonparts.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of Robert Fisher
> Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 2:53 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: windshield replacement
>
>
> If you've never handled a windshield before, you might want to talk to
> someone that has and get some pointers- you put the least bit too much
> torque or twist on the thing, or let it get unbalanced, it could blow into
a
> bazillion pieces and leave you standing there with glass crumbs in each
> hand. It ain't a pretty sight.
>
> Good luck,
> Robert
> '87 GL
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Robert Harris" <rdh24@CORNELL.EDU>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 1:40 PM
> Subject: windshield replacement
>
>
> > Ouch!!  My Westy's windshield got smashed in transport by an auto
hauling
> > company (hate to see her in pain like that but I got a decent settlement
> > from those cretins in the end).  I'd like to install the new glass
myself
> > if possible and have already removed the broken one.  The Haynes manual
> > gives no instructions, but after consulting the listserv archive (what a
> > terrific resource) I'm all set to give it a try.  Trick seems to be to
lay
> > 1/4" rope into the crevice of the new seal and have a helper hold the
> glass
> > up against the opening while you work from inside.  You slowly pull the
> > rope out from around the seal from inside the van, which pulls the flap
of
> > the seal in around the body opening.
> >
> > Soo... for anyone who has attempted this, what kind of sealant should I
> > use, if any?  I was thinking 3M Weatherstrip Adhesive.  And any other
> words
> > of wisdom come to mind for doing the job right the first time?
> >
> > thanks,
> > Robert Harris
> > '84 Westy
> > '95 Subaru
> > '93 Honda CB750
>
>