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Question for those that have replaced their front windshield
My car's front windshield is original, but has enough pitting that it would qualify for a no-charge replacement under my State's insurance laws.
I am on the fence as to whether to do it or not.
I pulled the window trim and the channels are pristine, no sighs of any rust or corrosion.
My understanding is that the old window would be cut out, which in turn would cause the finish of the channel to be scraped. That in turn would make it susceptible to rust.
What about having the shop tough up the scrapes and waiting a day before installing a new window?
I guess there is always the option of sealing the channel after window replacement?
I’m about to put in the 4th windshield. Prior owner put the 2nd in wrong and it drive me crazy with its squeaking. On removal there was rust in the channel due to original being cut out as you mention. Total repair was close to $3k.
Doubt your insurance will cover doing it right which requires paint repair, proper adhesives & seals and templates for correct location.
that’s the trouble with the Main Street windshield replacement shops, they want to do the job in under 1hour and the result is poor seal fitment, squeaking and wind noise at speed.
Having said that, there’s nothing more satisfying than looking through a pristine windshield. Next to the feel of the steering wheel and shifter, a clear outlook is essential for the driving experience.
I would not change it if I were you. I had rust in my corners, which required new front glass with all the paint, adhesives, and seals. My front window now creaks, which it didn't before and after a large rainstorm this past weekend, I noticed leaking. The installer also went wild with the adhesive on the inside and it doesn't look "clean" from the interior. Keep in mind a very reputable Porsche specific body shop did this and it wasn't cheap ($8.5k for front and rear glass, rust repair, and paint).
If you don't have rust, count your blessings and keep the windshield in.
I replaced mine with a company recommended by my indie through insurance. OEM glass and gasket. It wasn't done properly. The rubber gasket doesn't fit as well the original did because the window was set too low in the channel. The alternative was to have them re-do it. I opted against it. Wish I hadn't done it.
I’ve done it a couple of times through a specialist Porsche service centre. One tip - their view is fit 993 replacements screens using the 964 rubber surround as it’s apparently a little larger and results in a better seal, and unless one knows no one can tell easily just looking at it. They have seen many issues with trying to fit 993 screens with the thin 993 seal. I Don’t know more but trust them as specialists and it worked in mine. Hope that helps.
Our C2 has about 85K miles and the only time the pitting is annoying is driving into the sun, early morning or late afternoon. It has the original glass. This has always been a Southern based car without winter with its salt and sand on the roads to chip the paint and glass. When I hear about the rust and squeaking of the windshields after replacement I question whether to roll the dice and do it or just leave it alone. Probably just leave it alone for now. I didn't realize windshield replacement involved possibly cutting into the paint to free the old glass.
Had mine replaced 7 years ago due to a stone chip and surface rust starting in one corner. First shop I got an estimate from would not call me back to schedule, second shop would not even give me an estimate saying, "we don't want to work on that car." Got an estimate from a third shop that had worked on a friend's corvette and our Honda. Day after dropping it off they called and said they didn't feel they could do a good job and to come pick it up. Called the Porsche dealership and they referred me to Barsotti's in San Rafael, Ca. They said, "no problem, we do this all the time." Turned out perfect, still no creaks, rattles or leaks and the fitment, including the seal is correct all around.
It can be done correctly, just need the right shop.
My understanding is that the old window would be cut out, which in turn would cause the finish of the channel to be scraped.
Hi CRW,
I believe the channel doesn't get scratched, a garrote wire is pulled around the glass cutting the mounting adhesive. There may be some scraping on the metal the glass sealant sits on.
My understanding is that the installer cleans the metal and any scratches subject to corrosion are coated with some sort of sealant. Ask your installer how he handles the scratching issue.
Also, the root cause of corrosion in the channel is unrelated to a windshield replacement as the problem crops up around the originally installed glass. For this reason, consider filling the gutter/channel with urethane sealant once the new glass is in and the mounting adhesive is dry.
About halfway down this page in the section titled "As an experiment I recently researched where 993 Porsche branded versus manufacturer branded windshield glass comes from for a 993."
may be of interest to you. https://993servicerepair.blogspot.co...sdom-page.html
I had my windshield replaced by Safelight in Richmond VA, with no issues now that the new glass has been in the car for several years on my daily driver. The glass was installed by the location manager who was highly skilled.
Don’t change it. There are very very very few people that can do it properly. I’ve had mine replaced maybe 7 times now all due to bad installs. Only 1 person in the UK (possibly 2) knows how to do it properly. Top tier names (including a shop that is a particularly prolific forum poster here) did truly horrendous jobs.
Totally understand your hesitation. The hit and miss efforts and varying results are why I'm hesitant to get my windshield replaced even though I've got a crack on the lower passenger side. Given that it's out of view, it doesn't bother me much and has only grown a bit since it happend 10 yrs ago. I had the previous windshield replaced when I first bought the car almost 20 yrs ago due to a small amount of rust in the corners. It was installed by an old guy (since retired) who had done many air-cooled 911's and it came out perfectly with no creaking or noise since. I've called multiple glass places around me and while they all say they can do it, no one's quite given me the confidence that they can do it right given how temperamental installation can be so I continue to hold off.
Don’t change it. There are very very very few people that can do it properly. I’ve had mine replaced maybe 7 times now all due to bad installs. Only 1 person in the UK (possibly 2) knows how to do it properly. Top tier names (including a shop that is a particularly prolific forum poster here) did truly horrendous jobs.
it’s really just not worth it.
Hi NK,
It may be smarter to be lucky than it's lucky to be smart as my installation by a national chain shop Safelight has been trouble-free. I also wonder if the squeaking some encounter is the inside rubber liner around the windshield rubbing and a shot of spray of dry Teflon lube would quiet it down. Alternatively, the exterior cover is making noise where tacking it down with a little 3M Super Weatherstrip adhesive would do the trick.
Andy
18 years on a replacement windshield. It’s been perfect but in hindsight I should have fixed the chip with the associated 1” crack located at the very bottom by the seal. They are only original once and IMHO I would live with the pitting. Seems like a can of worms these days and I thought I read somewhere Porsche changed the outer seal. NO THANK YOU!
BTW, 2 windshields in my 964 as well. Both perfect but unless it was impacting my visibility or safety I would leave well enough alone.
Sometimes, as in my case, you don’t have an option. My rock chip spawned a crack that is progressing into my field of view.
I refuse to be intimidated by a repair that has bad outcomes. I’ve been researching this for 6months now as the crack grows.
from talking with owners I have witnessed good outcomes using safelite when the owner is involved with the repair and agrees participation in the process. Safelite has tools and process experience I don’t have. They are oblivious to the peculiarities of the 993.
My plan is to negotiate the process so that I can see the state of the channel when the old one is removed, and insist on the use of templates and application of adhesive to the new windshield I.e. control the process.
I will pay a premium for this service and at the end of the day I will be responsible for the outcome.
im OK with this. If it turns out bad, I will learn and do it right next time.
peering thru a flawed windshield is not an acceptable outcome for me. This is a wear item and the new screen might get shattered in 1 week or 1 decade. I want an A1+ grade 993 to drive and this is just one of many obstacles that must be overcome to do so.
07-06-2023, 04:02 PM
Question for those that have replaced their front windshield
