stevenb

I'm sure there are plenty on this board whom have taken out and installed a windshield. I am wondering how it is done and the skill level required to do this effectively?

AlkyIROC

They're glued in (urethane). The old one needs to be cut out and chances are it will break on removal. Although possible to be done by someone with a little bit of knowledge and some basic window tools, it's better to have a skilled installer replace the windshield. That way you also get a warranty if it leaks.

stevenb

I found one in a junkyard for $75 and they will take it off. My father who helps me with a lot with my car is a mechanic although, has never taken off or installed a windshield. So do you think I should hire a professional, and approx. how much is the cost to do so?

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Last windshield I had put in my car, it was about $150-160 somewhere; installed; guy came to my work and did it out in the parking lot.

No rock chips, no cracks, no sand-blasting, no wipers run dry for 3 days across it after every time it sprinkles for a few seconds. Plus, I got a new black strip thing that goes around it; and as Stephen mentioned, a warranty.

Not worth futzing around with a junk one.

That said, the standard way of removing one, is to drill a SMALL hole through the spooge somehow; put a piece of music wire (piano or guitar string) through the hole; use the wire with 2 people to "saw" through the seal. I think they make wire saws just for that nowadays.

AlkyIROC

A junkyard glued in windshield need some prep work before reinstalling it. The old urethane needs to be cleaned off. Just because the glass isn't cracked, doesn't mean it's still good. It could be sand pitted which you won't really see until you drive at night with traffic lights or headlights reflecting off the glass. If while installing it and you break or crack it, you're out $75. You'll also need to buy a tube of black window urethane. You'll need a rope saw or air/electric knife to cut the old one out.

Call around to your local glass shops. Many can do onsite windshield replacements. You'll get a new windshield properly installed with a warranty. I never priced out a third gen windshield but I'd guess you can get one installed for about $175 or less. The same glass was used for 10 years on all the third gens so the windshields should be cheap.

The only time you should consider a junkyard windshield is if you find a rare or expensive one. Most new windshields are not very expensive although there are some where it's worth paying for the glass coverage on your insurance. How about $1500 for a windshield? The cost of glass coverage on a typical windshield is enough to buy a new windshield every few years.

stevenb

Thanks a lot for your advice everyone, I believe it is better to go through a company and I think through my work I was told I could get one installed for around $150