Bent Windshield Frame

[John C.]

Over time latching the top to the frame I have found out that it was way to tight and this caused the top of the windshield glass to seperate and leave a gap that the wind comes through,how do I adjust the frame back into the proper position? Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: Bent Windshield Frame

Over time latching the top to the frame I have found out that it was way to tight and this caused the top of the windshield glass to seperate and leave a gap that the wind comes through,how do I adjust the frame back into the proper position? Thanks

John------


The first thing I'd do is check to be sure you don't have a BROKEN windshield frame.

[John C.]

Re: Bent Windshield Frame

Hi Joe, not broken at all just bent backwards a bit, is there bolts to tighten that will bring it back to normel

[Joe L.]

Re: Bent Windshield Frame

Hi Joe, not broken at all just bent backwards a bit, is there bolts to tighten that will bring it back to normel

John-----


Not that I'm aware of but maybe some folks that are more familiar than I with C1's will have some info.

[Stan G.]

Re: Bent Windshield Frame

John, this topic gets brought up every month or two . It sounds like your windshield post tabs are broken which allowed the posts to be pulled backwards leaving a gap in your glass . The tabs are the only thing that keep the posts in the proper position . Soft tops are being installed to tight for the sake of having a top thats wrinkle free . I think it has been said on here before that the factory tops were never installed like they are being installed now . Not an easy fix for your problem I'm afraid . Research prev threads on here for this topic . I think some have had sucess with re-siliconing the windshield back together with the frame .

[Joe M.]

Re: Bent Windshield Frame

i agree with previous posts. If the frame is "bent back" it is because one or both of the tabs are broken and there is no way to determine that without removing the entire windshield assembly. The frame does not bend, the tabs break. Been there, done that. My old soft top was so tight that leaving it out in hot sun did not loosen it up enough to make latching easy.

I installed a new soft top on my 1960 5 years ago and was not happy with the few wrinkles that remained when I was finished. However, I know that over time, all of the soft tops shrink and I am glad there are a few wrinkles so that I can still fasten the top in place without sitting on it to latch it.

[Richard M.]

Re: Bent Windshield Frame

John,

Most of us C1 owners have had the same problem. It certainly sounds like broken tabs on the WS posts. Unfortunately, a big job as you have to remove the entire WS assembly to properly repair them. They cannot be welded.

As you can see in the photos the tabs are part of the casting and a tight soft top can break them easily. The repair process requires milling of the post, and a steel tab replaces the original.

If you decide to take it all apart, I recommend you send them to Paul Mazut for repair. Excellent service and quick turnaround. He did these for me for a '59 I'm restoring. He can be contacted through the member list here. I don't have his contact info handy.

Rich

[Richard S.]

Re: Bent Windshield Frame

This was the 1st problem I noticed when I bought my 60'. The former owner had installed a new windshield and broke the tabs during the install. I removed the windshield frame and had the tabs replaced and then rechromed the frame and post. Neither cheap nor easy however, this is the answer.

[Joe L.]

Re: Bent Windshield Frame

John,

Most of us C1 owners have had the same problem. It certainly sounds like broken tabs on the WS posts. Unfortunately, a big job as you have to remove the entire WS assembly to properly repair them. They cannot be welded.

As you can see in the photos the tabs are part of the casting and a tight soft top can break them easily. The repair process requires milling of the post, and a steel tab replaces the original.

If you decide to take it all apart, I recommend you send them to Paul Mazut for repair. Excellent service and quick turnaround. He did these for me for a '59 I'm restoring. He can be contacted through the member list here. I don't have his contact info handy.

Rich

Rich------


Yes, this is what I was referring to in my first post when I mentioned the possibility of a broken windshield frame.

So, why does this occur? Well, the windshield frame is zinc diecast material and zinc diecast is not very strong, at all. In my opinion, this was a very poor choice for a component like the windshield frame that needs a significant degree of structural integrity.

[Joe R.]

Re: Bent Windshield Frame

The service to fix the tabs is also performed by Jerry Cohen at Corvette Central. He pioneered this method over thirty years ago and has done hundreds.

JR

[Bruce B.]

Re: Bent Windshield Frame

John,
The only way to fix the problem is to remove the windshield frame from the car and diagnose the problem.
Believe me it can not be fixed with the frame on the car.
Not a bad job to do but remove the seats from the car to make it much easier.
After the job is completed make sure your soft top is not to tight or you will pull the glass out again. Also Corvette Central does an excellent tab repair job along with some other suppliers.
Bruce B

Actually since the windshield posts are pot metal they will not bend. But the tabs will break allowing the headder to move back and the glass to pop out of the rubber.