58 windshield removal

[Brad H.]

Have taken out all the bolts but it won't lift out yet, it lifts up a little at corners, dont't want to lift to hard if something else has to come loose, do wiper trans have to be unscrewed, if so both of them or just drivers side, thanks, Brad. Also mine sits up off body 3/8 just past wipers as it starts around corner, when installer puts in new glass and fastens it all toghether should this make it sit better, mine had been lifted I think when soft top was installed and when clamped the first time probably pulled it apart, am taking new glass and old with frame in without car to have put toghether and then reistall on car my self, is this ok? Again Brad.

[Roy B.]

Re: 58 windshield removal

If you removed the post nuts and ALL the "washer-nuts" under the dash ,then wiggle it , it could just be stuck..
3/8 gap
1. Using a razer blade cut some bottom material off the rubber filler that's between the body and windshield
2. Leave rubber filler out and fill the area with clay
3. Or after it's installed fill the 3/8 gap with black silicon that I've done making it look better.
Just some ideas .
If you re-install it , it will be done better and carefully.

[Richard M.]

Re: 58 windshield removal

I agree with Roy......maybe you missed a T-bolt nut or 2, or the sealer is just sticking it all together there.

Also, I'd suspect you have broken tabs on the windshield posts. That would likely cause your outer ends of the frame to be raised. When you get it off let us know if tabs are broken. Not to discourage you but it's very common issue with the C1 w/s frames. Particulary if the soft top has shrunk and you try to clamp the front latches tight. My first experience pulled the top horizontal frame out of the glass.

If tabs are broken, don't despair. There's a common fix and we can refer you to several repair vendors. I use: http://www.paulmazutcorvette.com His turnaround time is outstanding.

Rich

[Roy B.]

Re: 58 windshield removal

Many get broken by people grabbing the windshield frame to lift them self out of the Corvette and also crack the steering wheel doing the same thing . Watch those old guys with BIG bellies get in and out . Ha!

[Brad H.]

Re: 58 windshield removal

Wiggle Wiggle, unstuck and it came right out, post bolts seem secure, sure seems temting to do this myself now that it is sitting on the bench right in front of me, probably wise to have the guy break it down and put it back who has done it before, I want to have the top and bottom siliconed or glued so as to not have the glass pull away from frame when top is up, what parts on top and bottom are we securing with silicone or procedure for this so I can tell glass guy that I am Adament about this part of the assembly, any pics of any of this? Thanks all again, Brad

[Roy B.]

Re: 58 windshield removal

Now days new cars don't have a frame they just use black tube stuff and it has to be cut to get the window out . Ask the guy if he can use a little of it around the rubber and I would think you would never have the glass pull out from the frame. But also ask him how you would remove the window later if you need to. Also if you never done one I would have them do it , that way if they brake it they own it.

[Bruce B.]

Re: 58 windshield removal

The ST12 has a great section on installing new glass in the windshield frame and subsequent installation on the car.
My wife and I did the first one and also a 1/2 dozen more.
The most difficult thing is using a big rubber mallet to assemble the end posts to the upper and lower frames.
By the way, most windshield guys these days don't have a clue about C1 windshields.
A friend of mine had a windshield service come out to do his 61 Corvette and the first thing they did was break the old windshield out of the frame. They figured you didn't have to remove the frame to install the new glass.
They paid dearly.
Good luck.

[Brad H.]

Re: 58 windshield removal

Thanks Bruce, what is the St 12 and how to bring it up? thanks Brad.

[Richard M.]

Re: 58 windshield removal

..... I want to have the top and bottom siliconed or glued so as to not have the glass pull away from frame when top is up.....

Brad, IMO....I highly recommend you do not use silicone as a method to prevent the glass from pulling away. The frame is not designed like todays' convertible windshield frames, which are like a birdcage and strong enough to clamp a tight soft top to.

You say the studs are ok in the w/s posts......they never are a problem. There are two flat head Philips screws on the under side of the posts securing them to the frame. Those go through the tabs to the lower frame.

Are you certain the tabs are not broken. If the glass has been pulling out of the frame that is cetainly an indication of broken tabs. If the tabs are not broken, and the top has shrunken and is still too tight, eventually they will break and you'll have to take it all apart again, and then you'll be cursing that silicone trying to remove it all.


.....photo courtesy of Paul Mazut's website

The only real remedy to prevent the glass from pulling out because of a shrunken top.......is to replace the top, after getting the tabs repaired . When I repair frames & windshields, even if the tabs are NOT broken, I deliberately BREAK them off and get the new repair done..........Been there many times.

The ST-12 is the 53-62 Corvette Service Manual. It's not a pdf or anything online as it's still copyrighted I think. It's here at the NCRS Store. You should buy a copy. If your can't wait to get one send me a PM with your'e email and I'll send you a few digital scans of the windshield section to get you by until you get one. It also has many other useful sections on Corvette specific repair procedures.

Rich

[Bruce B.]

Re: 58 windshield removal

Brad,
I agree with Rich about having the repair done even on good windshield posts. The repaired posts are much stronger then the original.
I have attached a few pictures of a set I have that have been repaired.
The tolerences are very tight and when the new tabs are put on the machined posts they are exteramely tight.
The only material recommended to seal the windshield to the rubber is a non-hardening body filler which can also be used to seal the windshield frame to the body.
Good luck.