Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12-12-2015, 08:13 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 75
Windshield Discussion

So another question for the folks out there. I tried searching for a thread on windshield replacements and did not see anything out there. I am in need of a New Windshield for my 81 300sd... it's the original but its badly pitted from dirt etc. to the point it's probably dangerous to still use on some days.

Aaaanyway my question is - anyone have Safelite or similar experience with replacing a windshield? I know it's not OEM but I am also not trying to break the bank on this either.

Suggestions?

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-12-2015, 08:28 PM
mannys9130's Avatar
Ignorance is a disease
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 1,251
I had excellent luck with Safelite. The guy that did the work actually had 2 123s andcwhile my 201 was not familiar to him he did an excellent job. The 201 has 2 different kinds of glass for really early models. He got the correct one. I'd go back again for sure.
__________________
'84 190D 2.2 5MT (Red/Palomino) Current car. Love it!
'85 190D 2.2 Auto *Cali* (Blue/Blue) *sold*
http://badges.fuelly.com/images/sig-us/302601.png
http://i959.photobucket.com/albums/a...0/sideview.png
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-12-2015, 11:25 PM
Rogviler's Avatar
Unpurist
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 904
Safelite was great when I had my 123 done about four years ago and I haven't had any issues.

-Rog
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-12-2015, 11:28 PM
fahrvergnugen's Avatar
Yeah, THAT guy...
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Olathe, CO
Posts: 692
I have a new windshield from Pilkington in my 83', only trouble I've had is the fact that I used a utility knife blade to clean it once, and now I have all sorts of scratches... Stupid on my part, use Nothing but a small square blade if it is that dirty...
__________________
---------------------------------------------------------------

1998 VW Cabrio
2001 Audi SomeRoad A/T (no air suspension)
2003 Audi DeadRoad M/T (no vroom, for later)
2002 Audi NoRoad A/T (nothing under the hood, being rebuilt)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-13-2015, 12:23 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 7,534
Have a look at Windshieldstogo.com ( This is Pilkington / PPG / PGW ) You can get pricing for installed and not installed. Does your car use a gasket or is the glass glued in? If gasket, buy a new one.

Others have reported that older glass is available at the MB dealer and at reasonable cost.

Safelight is allover the US so install quality may vary. Regardless of who installs, make sure they touch up any paint scratches when the glass is removed. Some installers are not so careful and rust will start growing under the trim causing problems years from now.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-13-2015, 12:40 PM
vwnate1's Avatar
Diesel Dandy
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Sunny So. Cal. !
Posts: 7,717
Post Windshield

Be SURE to price around as I use All Star Glass , $200 installed , Safelight wanted $500 ! .

Most important is to buy a new ORIGINAL M-B grommet ~ the Uro ones leak and don't last .

If your local M-B Dealer gives you the Okey-Doke on the grommet , contact the Mercedes Classic Center , they have them in stock and will ship to your home , do this before you make the Appt. to have it replaced .

Be sure to get the clear one , most glass shops automatically order in the shaded one , unless you're under 5'5" you'll be looking right through the shading , not a good thing at night .

Have some foamy cleaner and clean rags or towels handy when they remove the old glass , _you_ are the only one who will clean the setting point properly ~ they'll either use dirty rags or worse , a WIRE BRUSH , guaranteed to scratch the pint and cause rust .
__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-13-2015, 01:38 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 75
Quote:
Originally Posted by vwnate1 View Post
Be SURE to price around as I use All Star Glass , $200 installed , Safelight wanted $500 ! .

Most important is to buy a new ORIGINAL M-B grommet ~ the Uro ones leak and don't last .

If your local M-B Dealer gives you the Okey-Doke on the grommet , contact the Mercedes Classic Center , they have them in stock and will ship to your home , do this before you make the Appt. to have it replaced .

Be sure to get the clear one , most glass shops automatically order in the shaded one , unless you're under 5'5" you'll be looking right through the shading , not a good thing at night .

Have some foamy cleaner and clean rags or towels handy when they remove the old glass , _you_ are the only one who will clean the setting point properly ~ they'll either use dirty rags or worse , a WIRE BRUSH , guaranteed to scratch the pint and cause rust .

Thanks for the input, I am in socal as well - did you go to a particular All Star Glass location? Also from what I can tell the 126 1981 300sd does not have a grommet?
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-13-2015, 05:46 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,941
Quote:
Originally Posted by 97 SL320 View Post
Have a look at Windshieldstogo.com ( This is Pilkington / PPG / PGW ) You can get pricing for installed and not installed. Does your car use a gasket or is the glass glued in? If gasket, buy a new one.
+1 I used Windshieldstogo for my 190D. They contract with local installers, so the one gotcha is that quality may vary around the country. But they guys who did mine in Westchester were aces. They did the work in the parking lot at my office, and had the whole job done in an hour. They had done a lot of Mercedes windshields, and knew all the tricks to getting the trim in and out. Total cost was $226. They used a PPG windshield, fit was perfect.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-13-2015, 06:17 PM
vwnate1's Avatar
Diesel Dandy
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Sunny So. Cal. !
Posts: 7,717
Post

I *think* the W-126 uses a bonded seal , just lok for the grommet in any partshaus catalog , if nothing is listed , it's a bonded one .

I use the All Start Glass Shop in Gardena , not far from SWMBO's house .
__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12-13-2015, 06:33 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,941
Quote:
Originally Posted by vwnate1 View Post
I *think* the W-126 uses a bonded seal , just lok for the grommet in any partshaus catalog , if nothing is listed , it's a bonded one .

I use the All Start Glass Shop in Gardena , not far from SWMBO's house .
I think they all do. On the W201, there's a nichrome wire that runs through the seal material. To get the windshield off, you attach the two ends to a battery, and the seal melts! Replacement was installed on a bed of urethane sealant.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 12-13-2015, 06:57 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 7,534
The original intent of the wire was to cure the urethane and it looks like it can be reused. Old style urethane was very hard to cut, I use mig welding wire, vise grips and a battery charger set at 6V.

Newer urethane is soft, to cut it they use plastic string and a suction cup mounted winch. A cold knife works also. ( this is a 90* blade on a handle and a cable handle to allow you to pull )

When I changed the glass on my 97 C-280, most of the lower end was not sealed. The glass had been changed 2 x prior and they never cut the old urethane off the pinch weld. They just used a thin bead of new urethane. And, the clear coat on the pinch weld lost adhesion to the base coat so what was left of the urethane just pealed off. There were lots of scratches on the paint that had started to rust.

I posted this a while back and hope the link still works. ( I don't have a fast internet connection to test. )


Comedy W124 windscreen replacement. ( probably not by design though. )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcJTtMBqoqY

Note:

The very British, Shakespearean actor reduced to narrating automotive training films.

The narrator is maintaining professionalism but really wanting to go off on a tirade about not getting good theater gigs any more.

The narrator making an attempt at humor when describing suction cups.

The Tech's Elton John safety glasses.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 12-13-2015, 07:25 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,941
Quote:
Originally Posted by 97 SL320 View Post
The original intent of the wire was to cure the urethane and it looks like it can be reused. Old style urethane was very hard to cut, I use mig welding wire, vise grips and a battery charger set at 6V.
No, this is entirely wrong. The wire is there to remove the glass, not to cure the sealant. The original sealant was butyl rubber, not urethane. Butyl becomes hard as rock over time, urethane remains compliant so no wire is needed.
Attached Thumbnails
Windshield Discussion-windshield.jpg  
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 12-13-2015, 08:37 PM
funola's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 8,245
Quote:
Originally Posted by OtisMagotis View Post
So another question for the folks out there. I tried searching for a thread on windshield replacements and did not see anything out there. I am in need of a New Windshield for my 81 300sd... it's the original but its badly pitted from dirt etc. to the point it's probably dangerous to still use on some days.

Aaaanyway my question is - anyone have Safelite or similar experience with replacing a windshield? I know it's not OEM but I am also not trying to break the bank on this either.

Suggestions?
There are lot's of threads on windshield replacements for W123, which should be similar to your 81 300SD, where there are Aluminum trims in the window seal. What's important is the installer knows how to correctly install the windshield by following the FSM procedure, which is to rope-in the seal, windshield, aluminum trims as one assembly.

I had Safelite install a front windshield in my 83 300D about 6 years ago (I have full glass coverage so cost was $0) and the guy did not rope in the Aluminum trims but installed them afterwards and never got it right. Looked like crap, trims were bent and it leaked. Had to go back twice and each time they injected Urethane in an attempt to stop the leak, which was never totally leak free. At the time I did not read up on the FSM procedure and just placed my trust in Safelite which was a mistake. Find a shop with experience on the particular windshield for your car and quiz them before you let them touch your car.
__________________
85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 12-13-2015, 08:39 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 7,534
Some years ago ( prior to be doing the MB thing ) there was a road test or tech article stating the wire was used at the factory to cure the sealer and the wire ends cut off when this was done.

There is a chance this was referring to a Porsche 928 , I'll have to do some research.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 05-17-2016, 03:05 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 75
I ended up using a guy my trusted Mechanic recommended... $180 cash out the door and he came to my mechanic's shop to replace it while my mechanic was working on some separate issues ... HUUUUGE difference - as I can now SEE where I am going lol. Thanks all for the suggestions!

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:39 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page