Cracked Windsheild on SPF 2238

dmoscoso · #1 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 05:46 PM

On this car the instructions on the SCOF web site for replacing the windshield don't quite seem to match my car. On 2238, I have no center bow holding the rearview mirror, it's glued to the glass itself. Also, the instructions refer to a center bow, I imagine they're referring to the bar holding the mirror, which I don't have.

Is there a way of replacing just the glass, or do I have to replace the entire windshield assembly? Either way, I'd also like to know if I must buy from my SPF dealer or may I go to recommended third party vendors?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

David
SPF 2238

Danr55 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 06:15 PM

David, YOu can replace just the glass. YOU can also take the mirror mount off of your windsheild with a heat gun. The windshield assembly with the seals and the mount ring comes out by removing a couple of screws on each side of the car. Once you get the windshield out, you have to remove the bezels and the seals. You use new seals that are held in place by the bezels. Once the assembly is back together, you can trim about the bezel to clean it up. Replace it in the opposite manner. It looks and sounds a lot more difficult than it actually is. I know. I paid someone to do while I watched. The biggest thing to be careful of is putting a bind on the glass.

dmoscoso · #3 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 07:28 PM

Well, after looking at the instructions it does look do-able for a shade tree mechanic such as myself. So I guess I'll go shopping for new glass then....

Where did you get your glass from? Did you have any other option other than the dealer in terms of quality or fit? I'm also wondering if the new seals came with the glass or were those ordered seperately?

Thanks for the help...

- Dave

Tony Aprile · #4 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 07:58 PM

Dave

There are threads on this site about SPF windshield replacements, but the short of it is that you will have to go to your local SPF dealer for a replacement, the SPF glass is not the same shape as the other manufactures. After car # 1300 or so the body cowl was changed a bit, so the windshield frame and glass followed that shape. The newer glass is 1 inch shorter in the middle from top to bottom then the older version. Your is about 13 inches. Also the support rod was discontinued after about car number 2000, at that point the glass was bonded to the frame only in the middle on the top and bottom. The older glass pre 1300 was bonded all around. The glass with the support rod was not bonded at all. If you change your own windshield...seek proper advice from a dealer as to the correct way to rebond the the glass/gasket and frame. Sorry I can't help you with that as I have the support rod and never changed the newer glass.

Tony

eschaider · #5 (**permalink**) 01-22-2008, 01:51 AM

Dave,

You might want to look around on both SCOF and Club Cobra re: the broken windshield thing. This appears to be a fairly frequent occurrence on the newer SPFs. Someone (I don't recall who) thought of using GE Lexan after replacing two or so windshields.

Not a bad idea all things considered. It's no more expensive (maybe cheaper), it won't shatter from stone impacts but it will crater. Washing requires the same sort of care you would give to glasses with plastic lenses although in fairness the Lexan is noticeably tougher.

Most important it never cracks the way glass does.

Ed

dmoscoso · #6 (**permalink**) 01-22-2008, 04:40 PM

Thanks for your help guys,

I called up Olthoff's dealership and Dennis himself answered the phone. He was very helpful and, he too, agrees that I should be able to change the glass myself. He even offered to walk me through the process after I get my glass.

He also agreed with you guys that I must go with the dealer glass and it's pretty much my only course of action. They've changed several of these windshields and even went as far as asking me where/how it's cracked because that may indicate why it broke. In my case the crack runs top to bottom right in the center of the glass. This kind of crack is probably cause by a manufacturing defect.

I read some of the threads on this site about windshield repair and one fellow said he gound his own windshield from Lexan - I know I ain't that good - so I'll go the dealer glass route.

Thanks for all your help fellas - its awful nice to have all these resources at your disposal!

- Dave

madmaxx · #7 (**permalink**) 01-29-2008, 11:42 AM

Do the windsheilds break because they are not installed correctly or due to rocks hitting them? If not installed correctly I would think warranty should cover it.

Tony Aprile · #8 (**permalink**) 01-29-2008, 09:03 PM

Madmaxx....windshields crack because there under stress...I have noticed while swapping out the glass...the shape or roundness of the glass is not exactly the same as the frame. Because of the slightly two different shapes, once the new glass is installed into the frame it's already under tention, then you affix the frame to the side supports and re-attach the lower center support, another stress point

Romm...Maybe someone down the line before you, could not get the correct glass so the changed the entire frame ??? SPF glass for the newer cars is specific to that body shape. Pictures would be good !!. There was a similar thread on CC with a SPF months ago, wrong frame, glass would not fit...

SP01715...I have changed my own glass 4 time in 5 years, it's not that bad and alot less expensive to swap out the glass. With a new frame, then the matching side supports have to be installed....then the rake of the new frame has to be at the correct angle to match the soft top. Just as much of a pain in the A$$.

I have had cracks across the lower pass corner, and no one was in the passenger seat, then after a nice summer ride, put the cobra in the garage, the next morning a crack right down the middle..(no rock dings) that happened twice...keep a spare glass stored away, ya never know !!!

carmine · #9 (**permalink**) 01-29-2008, 02:31 PM

Thats why i tell all my passengers to not do anything until i come around to assist them because it tricky to get out. They may feel stupid but you have lots of time to tell them why afterwards. Your car gets spared damage and they don,t get burned from sidepipe. Win Win For Everyone!

Fred Hamilton · #10 (**permalink**) 01-29-2008, 10:37 PM

Keeping a spare glass around is easier said than done. I turned my defective W/S over to Barry last May and I'm still waiting for a replacement.

Tony Aprile · #11 (**permalink**) 01-30-2008, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred Hamilton

Keeping a spare glass around is easier said than done. I turned my defective W/S over to Barry last May and I'm still waiting for a replacement.

Fred...I have had to wait for glass from time to time in my 5 years of ownership. Two years ago I bought a spare.

From your car #158, you have the early style windscreen...and for a while SPF was not manufacturing the old stlyle glass and frame....but I think that has changed.... im not sure these days as I am not as involved as I use to be, but since the early windscreens were bonded.... gasket to frame, you had to replace the entire assembly or possibly damage the frame removing the gasket... that's a whole different topic on it's own. If your a member of SCOF...you know what im talking about.

Tony