I finally found a window seal for my 108. The problem is who should I trust to replace it? The glass shops? Need your help. Thanks

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72 280SE His Majesty

I let the glass shops handle mine. They charge an arm and a leg and they wont guarantee the old glass from breaking but unless you have a competent helper, it's a real pane!(sorry, couldn't resist the pun)

I use Safelite Auto Glass (nationwide company).

I think it depends on each individual shop - not so much the company name. In Walnut Creek, CA, I highly recommend Speedy Auto Glass. They have done work for me twice and they have done it perfectly!

Ask your local MB dealership who does their glass work. The most important thing is to find a shop that is familiar with the procedure.

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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
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97 S500
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86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

I think an important consideration is "they won't guarantee the old glass from breaking". One reason I haven't messed with mine. But then rust has already provided convenient floor drains in most of my Benzes.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

I prefer to break my own glass. Hasn't happened yet ( knocks head)

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

Nobody but nobody will guarentee used glass. Except perhaps if the installer is selling you the old glass.

Anybody can change a windshield. Anybody that's done it 50 times before can do it well.

In short, just about any glass shop that's been in business more than a few years should do you well.

However, while the glass is out, deal with any rust that is hiding under the old rubber. Also consider the headliner, since you have a nice opportunity to replace that too.

-CTH

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- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/

Because you want to replace the seal only, the old seal can be cut enough to remove the windshield without damaging it - in most cases. I have had both front and back seals replaced with no glass breakage.

When you are trying to save the seal is when the glass can easily break.

Phillip Bright, Virginia Glass. He operates out of Foreign Service in Tysons. He replaced the seal in the rear window in my beloved 280C.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

Rear windows are usually tempered glass which is more tolerant of stress. Windsheilds are much more tricky to remove safely. Many years ago, I successfully changed front and rear glass in a '68 Opel Kadett and my '61 Ponton 180b, however, much more recently, I tried to save a windsheild from an '86 BMW 535i that was headed for the junkyard. Despite cutting off all the external portion of the gasket, the glass was also glued in place with some type of sealant, so when I attempted to push it free it cracked!

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

Thanks Chuck and everyone else I will give a glass shopsa try. I also have a dumb question. In order to replace the headliner does the glass have to be removed??

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72 280SE His Majesty

The glass should be removed to replace the headliner properly because it must be glued to the frame under the window/shield seal. It can be done without seal removal, but will look like excriment.