W126 rear windshield glass source
 

I am renovating my rusty 1984 W126 500SEL.
I removed the rear windshield glass and need to weld the rusted out frame
It had leaked water to the trunk for a long time.

I bought a new gasket 1266780120 (for the early W126) but the old glass is milky at one of the corners. It is delaminated [I think it is bad design with the integrated heating wires plus the high moisture at the lower corners].

Now I wanted to buy a better rear glass but see that used ones on ebay from a junkyard is a gamble, often unclear what you'll get

Also not cheap including shipping.

The other option would be buying aftermarket glass.

windshieldstogo.com for instance is selling a rear windshield glass for $285

Does anyone know if the aftermarket glass is laminated or tempered glass and how is the heating (fat wires on top).

What do you think is my best option?

Best, Martin

Get a used one from 1986 or newer w126. They fixed the de-lamination problem by then

Thanks,
is the later W126 rear windshield glass really the same? Are you sure they are interchangeable?

They have different numbers.

Series 1
glass 1266701080 (laminated, heat insulated, green)
gasket 1266780120

Series 2
glass 1266703880 (laminated, heat insulated, green)
gasket 1266780420

Martin

Here is a picture of the milky glass corner

Martin

I don't remember what the exact difference was

I have two rear windows stored in my shed from a W126 with next to no de-lam on them.....the problem is how to get it to anyone in one piece.....

Hi Dieselsüchtiger

Well, if you want to let go on one Heckscheibe for the earlier series 1 (I think up to 85), then I'd try to figure out shipping. At least Michigan is no so far from MA. But I have no idea how to prevent cracking except for careful packing. I guess shipping will the $150- 200.

Grüsse Martin
(auch ein Dieselsüchtiger)

Hi pawoSD,

I just checked my old glas. The size of the rear windshield is about 58 x 28 x 5...
No way cardboard would be strong enough. The box could be a cage out of wooden slats (nailed/screwed like a pallet) plus cardboard around. The glass [with the old rubber around the edges] carefully positioned inside the wood frame with cushions so it cannot move... The glass edges are the most vulnerable parts.
Best, Martin

I would not hesitate to go with new aftermarket. I have bought at least a dozen or so and never regretted it.

As for shipping I'd build a plywood box with extra room around the edges 2" or so and then fit bracing inside made from .75 inch styro foam and fill the voids with "popcorn". And screw the sides together.

But before that I'd go to the glass shop and have the new aftermarket glass installed.

Thanks Walgamuth,

Which brands did you use? Is any brand better than another?
Do they all fit?
Does the heating look/work the same at the aftermarket glass?

Installation: I was planning for installing myself. I have the Mercedes rubber and the mercedes sealant (the one that does not dry).

I saw that the install is relatively cheap
[ windshieldstogo offers like $285 for the 126 rear glass only and $400 including install... they would come to my garage to install...]
But I wondered if they will do it the same way I'd do it (the traditional way Mercedes did it?
...Using the MB sealant and the string method to pull the inner rubber lip to the inside of the sheet metal frame all around.... No Urethan sealer.

How did your aftermarket installs go?
I'd like to have it done the traditional way. But maybe they 'll glue it with Urethane no matter what I want.

Best, Martin

Sorry Martin, I cannot answer any of your questions. I have a shop here that I trust and just take it there. I just bought one for my 92 124 wagon and I believe it was around 250 installed.

Shipping would be a nightmare unfortunately both in cost and time involved :( I'd be willing to travel ~100 miles in any direction to aid a buyer in pickup but that's about all...

Very kind of you, I understand the nightmare

So my only reasonable option is installing an aftermarket glass myself or
have the glass company do it.

How has any experience of the glass quality and labor quality from any of the companies?


Best, Martin

Those 126 rear glasses are very prone to getting cloudy under the edge after some years. I'd never buy one used unless new was not available. The glass shop will install a used one but with no guarantee.

Hi Walgamuth,

thanks, I am slowly understanding.
Funny enough it seems after 4 weeks on the shop bench the old glass is starting to clear up slightly.... Will this go away... and if yes can the edge be sealed with Urethane so that moisture cannot enter any more?
Well this is maybe a risky proposition...

Martin