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#1
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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? |
#2
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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 |
#3
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Safelite was great when I had my 123 done about four years ago and I haven't had any issues.
-Rog |
#4
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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...
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--------------------------------------------------------------- 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) |
#5
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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. |
#6
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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 .
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-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 |
#7
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Quote:
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? |
#8
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+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.
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#9
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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 |
#10
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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.
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#11
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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. |
#12
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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.
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#13
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Quote:
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 |
#14
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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. |
#15
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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!
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