initial

I'm rolling the dice and having my windshield replaced on Wednesday by a Canadian auto glass chain. I was quoted $795 + tax for product and installation.

Assuming they will listen, does anyone have any words of wisdom I can share with them?

LexVan

Are you rust free? Do they have the proper templates? OE glass? Removing your dash?

initial

The rust was taken care of before I acquired the car. I assume I am rust free.

Does the dash have to come out for all replacements?

I dont know what templates are used for in glass replacement, but I can certainly ask.

Thanks.

Matt Lane

Don't do it!

Since you are so close to Montreal, I would call the owner at Vite Vitres Jacques (J. Tarpinian) - outstanding attention to detail, he knows Porsches (and Ferrari) well. He gets the call for all their dealer work.

He actually owns a 993... and had some interesting stories about learning the trade on trips to Germany, including fun stuff like Targa rear windows!

I don't have his business card on hand (I am on vacation), but I would never go to a generic chain if I was in reasonable driving distance. A windshield is a do once, do right deal.

Cheers

Matt

doublecabmel

Get the rope to stop the squeaking

justin-in-athens

Tell them to send their most experienced tech, or perhaps two. When they arrive, if neither has done a older 911 before, close the door.

Dr. No

Yes, except ask them first if they've ever done a 993 windshield. If not, don't bother answering the door.

boman993

Matt, I would drive from Toronto to Montreal to get a new windshield installed properly. Can you PM me the contact details when you get back from your vacation? A new windshield is in the cards...

Thanks!!

bcameron59

Can you post who it is (or PM me)? Best price I've found in Calgary is $200 more than the quote you got.

The templates are a good idea as they are used to set the glass at the right depth so seals fit properly, but I'd be astounded if they had them.

callipygian 911

The dash does not have to come out, but if you need it to for any reason, this is the time.

Peter B

Make sure they place the screen squarely in the aperture. If they don't the outer seal will not sit properly on the scuttle and the void will easily fill with rain. Two years later your scuttle will start to rust. I know this because the former approved Porsche Bodyshop in my locality did this to my car and when I drew their attention to the problem they tried to fill the void in the scuttle with mastic and refused to do any further work. This is probably why they are no longer approved and I've had the expense of redoing the whole scuttle/new screen.

pp000830

Ask to look at the car once the old glass is out and the new is not in yet. Invariably there will be places where the sealant and pait is scraped off to bare metal from removing the old glass. Ask the technician to make sure these open spots are sealed shut with the replacement sealant. Not sure you should be concerned about OE glass as all the Porsche branded or aftermarket labeled glass comes from the same OE German supplier. That is why the job is $600 not $300 for a Jetta. For those who are unaware the 993 is not like the old 1980's Carrera glass the 993 glass is glued in place with sealant not held in place by a rubber gasket. Most any major glass shop should be able to do the job with no issues as precision placement of the glass in the opening is standard operating procedure.

Andy

LAURIER

Take off the top of the dash yourself (it's easy) and make sure the tech has done 993's before.

Buy a new outer seal and have them install it on the windshield before they install it. This will allow them to center it properly before the glue sets.

It's a good idea to have this done at your location so you don't have to drive the car for 12-24 hours, good luck.

JB 911

+1 so much heartache on this topic I'd only go on a personal recommendation.

Great idea on placing the outerseal first. You could also use the old one if you didn't have a new one. It barely fits over the gap when centered. Off by a mm or 2 and maybe not.

What is the reason to take the dash cover off?

jotaking

Don't do it...

This is one of the Achilles heals, even the pros can get this one wrong!!
If seals aren't correctly aligned in 2-3 years your scuttle will rust.

As said,

Get an expert with plenty of experience.

Luckily I had mine done by Autoglass UK (NW) they have one guy who just does old Porches.

Even he said they were a PIA!!

Good Luck!