where to have my rear windshield resealed? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JimZ · #1 01-25-2007, 01:54 PM

One of the last things on my checklist is resealing the rear windshield - I have a wet trunk after it rains, and I've already put a new trunk seal in. This job has me really nervous. I'm anticipating the kind of mess pawoSD went through - W126 The HORRORS - Rear window RUST!! Help! - and the possibility that the glass will break.

I know for sure I can't do this job, so I have to bring it somewhere. The dealership quotes $300 just for labor with no guarantee that the glass won't break, and a very clear warning that there's a chance it will break. A local foreign car glass shop quoted about $200 for the whole job.

The dealership is obviously familiar with the car and dealing with the chrome trim and the window shape and everything, but they're expensive. The foreign auto place is cheaper, but I don't think they're too familiar with the trim or anything on my car. There's two MB indy shops around here. One doesn't do glass and the other is about as expensive as the dealership.

So what should I do? Drop the extra cash and hope the window doesn't break? Pay less and hope they don't screw anything else up and/or break the glass? And what if I have the pawoSD problem? I can get in there with scrap metal and JB weld, but probably not in the dealership parking lot. And what if the glass breaks? Where do I get a new window, how much, and how long would it take?

Obviously I'm pretty nervous about this job, but it has to be done soon. Advice?

TX76513 · #2 01-25-2007, 01:58 PM

Why don't you do it yourself - it's not that bad. If you can find a helper it simplifies it more. Have you purchased a new seal?

JimZ · #3 01-25-2007, 02:02 PM

I haven't bought the seal yet because I haven't decided where I'm going to take it. I don't think the dealership uses customer supplied parts.

I wish I could do it, but I really don't think I have the know how.

If there are any members in the Philly area that have done this and could lend me a hand, I'd love to hear from you!

PatricdeBoer · #4 01-25-2007, 02:03 PM

I would steer clear of this job. I've done 2 rear window seals and neither where any fun. I broke the glass on my 300sd when I tried, but was lucky enough to have a spare on hand.

TX76513 · #5 01-25-2007, 02:12 PM

I was replacing mine for lamination issues. Would think Safelite or somebody would do that reasonable for you. My back glass was only $125 cash and carry or $155 installed.

pwogaman · #6 01-25-2007, 02:16 PM

I replaced mine myself. It was not hard getting the window in, but keeping the trim in place was very frustrating. I ended up slightly bending it. I'm not too worried about it because I can readily replace trim pieces.

justinperkins · #7 01-25-2007, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX76513

I was replacing mine for lamination issues. Would think Safelite or somebody would do that reasonable for you. My back glass was only $125 cash and carry or $155 installed.

What about the defroster?

JimZ · #8 01-25-2007, 02:22 PM

I'll call Safelite. My real concern is that someone, including myself, who hasn't done this job on this kind of car could easily mess things up. Whether it's the trim or breaking the glass. I would prefer to do it myself - with someone who has done it helping me, but I don't know anyone who's done this job that lives around me.

TX76513 · #9 01-25-2007, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

What about the defroster?

It came with the defroster in the glass AND a radio antenna also. Didn't need that

justinperkins · #10 01-25-2007, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX76513

It came with the defroster in the glass AND a radio antenna also. Didn't need that

Wow, that's not a bad deal then. I figured with the defroster it'd be more than $125. Good to know.

TX76513 · #11 01-25-2007, 02:58 PM

I thought it was a good deal also. I bought 2 front windshields for the 126's and 1 for the BMW. The guy asked me if I would be interested in a back glass for a 126 - said how much - cash and carry $125 -deal. I had that lamination issue going on, it bothered me but not enought to throw money at it, until then.

864Lightning · #12 01-25-2007, 03:02 PM

Have you crawled in the trunk with a flashlight and had someone squirt the trunk with a waterhose? My tail light seals are a major contributior to my leaky trunk.

JimZ · #13 01-25-2007, 03:12 PM

Sticking my head in the trunk and looking up gives me a good view of a bunch of rust. While it's leaking I can see the water drip from two holes in the metal shelf. Inside the holes looks like cloth, or some kind of stuffing from under the rear deck. I'm pretty positive that it's the window seal. I'm also pretty terrified, judging by the rust I can see, that it's gonna be a real mess in there.

bgkast · #14 01-25-2007, 03:13 PM

I had a pro do it. $100 plus seal

vstech · #15 01-25-2007, 04:05 PM

I am looking at starting this on my 82 SD... tons of cracks in the original seal, but NO DE-LAMINATION issues on the window... I really hate to break it! I am going to make room inside my shop to park the car, so I can take a few days to do it, and have HEAT to make the seal easier to remove/install...
I also will have a professional glass installer available to assist me with the uglies that may come up...oh, it's nice to have buddies that owe you! I do have a spare window in the parts car if the removal goes south. but that is a last resort, as that would mean the car has to be covered all the time from then on... not pleasant to look at that way.

wish me luck. I will take pictures if there are significant uglies in there!
John