Anyone Replaced Windshield Themselves?

[Strife]

My 380SL did not come along as well as hoped this summer, although I came so close to painting it until the temperatures tanked. However, I will have it painted, and in the meantime I removed the windshield and door trim, removed the anodization on it and sanded/polished the pieces (hard to beleive, but with the right tools, I salvaged all the trim - removed it better than the "pros" that changed the windshield on my 560SL).

Anyway, I had been planning on replacing the windshield because it's pitted, 22 years old, and the tint is actually worn off. The replacement windshield I had done by a glass installer on my 560 was disappointing, and I've been thinking about doing a "by the book" replacement myself with a new butyl seal/MB installation kit, wire heated, and so on.

I found out that most glass installers just cut the seal you have (no matter how old), slather LOTS of urethane cement over it when installing the new windshield, hope for the best, and inject even more glop if/when it leaks.

Has anyone actually done this job themselves, the right way with a new MB seal? Any problems/tips?

[GaryF]

Its one of the jobs I wouldnt try, the proffesionals may not make a perfect job of it but they do nothing else all day. Doing it for the first time yourself even with all the right equipment will be a challenge.

[meltedpanda]

best left for pros, I have been there - done that, or better yet - tried that, disaster followed.

[Dee8go]

If you supply the OE Benz gasket and watch them install the new windshield, I would think you'd be okay. I think that's what I'll end up doing.

[peter serbanica]

I have done many of these. I never used butel with the wire in it. Make sure pinch weld is clean and primed. Also, replace all clips. They are poprivetited on. Put the seam of butel on side. You will need an extra set of hands to install. I install butel on car, some guys install it in edge if glass. Back fill after glass in installed and pressed evenly and firmly. Kids, don't try this at home!!!!

[truckinik]

A job for the pros. Much faster, and they're also liable for any damage, or leakage after it's done. Most, if not all, insurance companies cover glass 100%, even with the minimum of coverages. Just put a crack in it, say a rock hit it, and they'll have a glass guy come and swap it out while your at work or something. It does not count as a claim, because it's something un-preventable in the first place if a rock hits you while driving down the road. Your premium will not change/increase, and it's not put into your records. Why wouldn't you just do that in the first place..?

Nick

[ScottinSoCal]

Originally Posted by Dee8go

If you supply the OE Benz gasket and watch them install the new windshield, I would think you'd be okay.

From what I've been able to find out (parts catalog, body manuals) there is no front windshield gasket on a 107. There's apparently a rear window gasket on the SLC coupe.

[meltedpanda]

I was actually able to claim a rear window delamination because it was a potential hazard because of low visability. I was amazed but my insurance covered it under "glass issues"
That was cool, years ago, but cool