W123 aftermarket back glass - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

funola · #1 05-19-2013, 04:26 PM

Anyone found a source for a W123 aftermarket back glass (the one with the defroster)?

How much did it cost? Did it fit well?

junqueyardjim · #2 05-19-2013, 04:57 PM

My 300D W123 lost its rear glass during an ice storm 3 or 4 years ago. Anyway, most anytime you find a W123 at the P&P, the rear glass is like new. I cut the one I used out with a razor knife, loosened the connection for the de-icer, pulled off the outside trim, had it out about 30 minutes, though I did have an adult helper. Install was very easy using the string pull method which is written up here somewhere on the Forum. It was not quite as easy as the removal, but really was not difficult either.

funola · #3 05-19-2013, 06:18 PM

No Pic&Pulls around here. I actually had 2 used back glass someone gave me. One had a burned out defroster (completely open circuit) and the other had a good defroster but with one broken electrical tab. I soldered a tab (taken from the bad glass) onto the good one and have handled it from where it was stored a few times (moved it in and out of the back seat of a 300D) with no issues until the last time I handled it. It was a sunny afternoon and the glass was warm (not too hot to touch). I had rubber gloves on and as I held it in my hand to set it down, it exploded into a million pieces (time from taking it out of the car to exploding was about 5 seconds) . This glass came from a car that was in a front end accident. Not sure if it was stressed from the accident or from the heating and cooling (expansion/contraction) when I handled it or from soldering but it was a shock to have that happen. I totally didn't expect it since I was very careful handling it, but I guess not careful enough. Next time I will only handle it when it is cool.

I'd prefer a new glass since any used glass is already 25 or more years old and the defroster may go bad very soon.

whunter · #4 05-19-2013, 07:13 PM

This one claims to have the rear glass
Windshield Replacement - Safelite® Auto Glass

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winmutt · #5 05-19-2013, 07:28 PM

Safelite did my windshield on the w123. Its not that quality but sure beat the 30 year old glass I had.

whunter · #6 05-19-2013, 08:03 PM

It beats the dealer at over $500.00 USD.
"Phil" knew it is a waste of time/money trying to ship glass, it arrives as fractured trash.

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NC-Diesel · #7 05-19-2013, 10:57 PM

i have quite a few old back windows. I found a pencil torch worked great for re-soldering defroster tabs back on.

My 1982 came with the back glass with almost invisible thin wires embedded in the glass. However PO did not maintain the seals and as A result it was getting milky and hazy from delamination.

funola · #8 05-20-2013, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

Safelite did my windshield on the w123. Its not that quality but sure beat the 30 year old glass I had.

A windshield is very different than a back glass with a defroster grid . breakage rate difference probably greater than 10,000 to 1.

HuskyMan · #9 05-20-2013, 10:14 AM

Mercedes Benz uses double pane glass in their cars, many other cart makers use single pane glass. I haven't checked the thickness of the windshield but it wouldn't be surprising to find that thickness and structural integrity "might" be different in glass obtained from the dealership versus Safelite, etc etc.

JamesDean · #10 05-20-2013, 10:57 AM

We had our one 300SD's back glass replaced by Safelite. I believe the glass to have been of decent quality. The installation was not as great as I would have wanted. Its in, and sealed but the chrome trim is not seated as nicely as the factory. It was $350 all said and done.

It has the tiny heater element wires in it as opposed other replacements that just have a small number of large element lines.

I dont believe MB used double pane glass in these cars. Double pane in the 140 chassis yes. The previous chassis used laminated glass for sure.

charmalu · #11 05-20-2013, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

A windshield is very different than a back glass with a defroster grid . breakage rate difference probably greater than 10,000 to 1.

Windshield is laminated glass, the rear window is not.

I was in one of the Yards a couple weeks ago pulling some parts off a 83 240D. one of the workers said I better get what I want, that row is coming out tomorrow.

I wanted the rear Aluminum window trim, so hit the glass with a hammer on the left side. the whole window shattered in a jillion small pieces. tapped it again and the whole window fell into the car.

It really didn`t take much of a tap with the hammer to shatter it.

I don`t know if a new window would fare any better than an old one with a hammer or would take a harder hit.

Also would a new window hold up better installing it vs a used window from the Yards?

Charlie

charmalu · #12 05-20-2013, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC-Diesel

i have quite a few old back windows. I found a pencil torch worked great for re-soldering defroster tabs back on.

My 1982 came with the back glass with almost invisible thin wires embedded in the glass. However PO did not maintain the seals and as A result it was getting milky and hazy from delamination.

I assume you are referring to a 123? as per your signature? the only 123 I have seen with the wires embedded into the glass is the CD.

Charlie

HuskyMan · #13 05-20-2013, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

We had our one 300SD's back glass replaced by Safelite. I believe the glass to have been of decent quality. The installation was not as great as I would have wanted. Its in, and sealed but the chrome trim is not seated as nicely as the factory. It was $350 all said and done.

It has the tiny heater element wires in it as opposed other replacements that just have a small number of large element lines.

I dont believe MB used double pane glass in these cars. Double pane in the 140 chassis yes. The previous chassis used laminated glass for sure.

Sorry to hear about your Safelite problems, though not the first time that I have heard bad reports about their services.

JamesDean · #14 05-20-2013, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuskyMan

Sorry to hear about your Safelite problems, though not the first time that I have heard bad reports about their services.

Aye. They also did the front glass...which is leaking in the center. Pisses me off. Of course they don't warranty/guarantee that stuff.. Lol the windshield has two primary functions: shield from wind, keep stuff out of car....

funola · #15 05-20-2013, 12:51 PM

[QUOTE=JamesDean;3148999

I dont believe MB used double pane glass in these cars. Double pane in the 140 chassis yes. The previous chassis used laminated glass for sure.[/QUOTE]

the windshield, the one you look through while you drive is always double pane laminated glass. you wouldn't want a million pieces of shattered glass to embed into your face when it breaks do you?

I know for a fact the back glass ( subject for this discussion) for W123 Is not double pane laminated.