--- Reinhard Vehring <rvehring@YAHOO.COM> wrote:

> David,
> three suggestions:
>
> Cut the seal on the outside along the frame for a
> couple of inches, maybe stick a plastic scraper or
> something like that between seal and frame to avoid
> cutting into the paint. Grab the seal and pull it out,
> it comes out easy or separates. Then the windshield
> can be taken out without any force whatsoever. Use
> vacuum suckers or two people.

I am in California. It may be hard to believe, the seal
looks in excellent shape inside or out. Not a tiny crack
I can see. But it's not an expensive item so I can pick
one up from a flaps only 2 miles from me. It's called
Bugformace. It is proabbly one of the oldest and most
complete shop for bug parts. I will try to not to cut the
seal. But if I have to I will.

>
> Spend some time to fix the rust in the lower frame
> corners. Often enough there are pretty big holes there
> that need welding, or at least a glass fiber job.

Good point. But again my Vanagon lives its entire life
in the Silicon valley. I hope to see no rust there. Fingers
crossed.

>
> Have the new shield installed by a pro. Yes, it hurts
> the pride, but it's cheaper than a broken windshield.
> To get the windshield in you gotta pull it into seal
> pretty hard or it will likely bend to much and break
> when you attempt to pull / push it in with the
> rope-in-the-seal standard procedure. It takes some
> practice. There is a fine line between applying enough
> force and breaking it. The installers have the right
> tools and the right fluids. In my humble opinion it's
> not worth to mess around with yourself.
>
> Have fun,
> Reinhard

I installed a windshild for my BMW before. Vanagon windshield
may be a little trickier. I think installation is easier. the
trick is to use a rope with a proper diameter. I can hire a
shop to do it but they will not want to be liable for breaking
the glass.

I will try the trick of kicking the windshield out. I will pull
the plastic molding out first. It will be replaced with a new one.
Once out I still have to smash it in order to put it into a garbage
container. So taping all over the entire glass will make it cleaner
to deal with.

Thanks for the tips.

David

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