Windshield center bracket or not?

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Grubby

Bob,

Some ERAs have the windshield center bracket and some don't. Is it needed and does it do anything?

My guess is it is for looks only.

178 had it and my current car 755 doesn't. If I am missing a structural element I would want to add it.

John

John - is this bracket (and tensioner) you're thinking of? This is CSX2259, but I've seen the same thing on pictures of ERA cars as well....
It's definitely not just for looks; it's a contributor



Cheers,
Glen

[DanEC]

I think it's the rod he is asking about.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by DanEC

I think it's the rod he is asking about.

The "tensor." Last I remember the consensus was that it kept the soft top from ripping your windshield up (and off). See: Windshield tensor bar? I don't know if anybody uses a brace and tensor, they would seem to do the same thing, but I never go above 60 with the top on anyway.

[carmine]

The rod in the middle of the windscreen is there to prevent the top from pulling on the windshield upper frame thus separating it from the glass
this happens at above 60 mph when the outside air pressure is higher than the inside cabin pressure or when side curtains are left off and air rushes in and creates exsesive kite like pressure on the top.
If this is allowed to happen without the center support rod in place the upper windshield frame pulls up off glass and creates a bowed pressure stress on the glass and eventually will crack the glass.

[davids2toys]

Originally Posted by carmine

The rod in the middle of the windscreen is there to prevent the top from pulling on the windshield upper frame thus separating it from the glass
this happens at above 60 mph when the outside air pressure is higher than the inside cabin pressure or when side curtains are left off and air rushes in and creates exsesive kite like pressure on the top.
If this is allowed to happen without the center support rod in place the upper windshield frame pulls up off glass and creates a bowed pressure stress on the glass and eventually will crack the glass.

I purchased this bar from Finishline and can't figure out how to install it. It came with no instructions at all. I called them and sent an email but they were no help at all except to tell me to go to the forums. I bought this for looks only, I just really like the look, I don't even have a top...LOL
My car already has the brace at the bottom of the windshield and I assume it gets used in conjunction with the brace already there. The bracket that came with the rod is at a 90 deg angle. If i was to put this on top of the present brace at the bottom of the windshield, I think it would be almost impossible to put the screws back in.
Does anybody know how to properly install this support rod. Thanks in advance for any help I can get
Dave

[davids2toys]

Originally Posted by xb-60

John - is this bracket (and tensioner) you're thinking of? This is CSX2259, but I've seen the same thing on pictures of ERA cars as well....
It's definitely not just for looks; it's a contributor



Cheers,
Glen

I purchased this windshield support rod from Finishline and can't figure out how to install it. It came with no instructions at all. I called them and sent an email but they were no help at all except to tell me to go to the forums. I bought this for looks only, I just really like the look, I don't even have a top...LOL
My car already has the brace at the bottom of the windshield and I assume it gets used in conjunction with the brace already there. The bracket that came with the rod is at a 90 deg angle. If i was to put this on top of the present brace at the bottom of the windshield, I think it would be almost impossible to put the screws back in. the rod is also at least 1' to long. Figure it will have to be cut. No big deal with that, except how do you tighten the two supplied rod nuts, assuming I can get the bracket attached to the windshield frame
Does anybody know how to properly install this support rod. Thanks in advance for any help I can get.
Dave