After getting back from the breakers I began to plan a return trip as I'd not got the windcreen and more importantly the chrome strip around it (not the later plastic one). They are so rare that it needed to be saved! I also need a windscreen as the original has a bad wiper scratch. I'm after an early one without the blue sun strip, although they are still available at windscreen places without the sun strip (or so the computer says). I'd checked before that it was OK, just light scratches and one small area of deeper scratchs, although it has a white patch near the bottom where the lamination has failed. There was also a lot of parts inside the car to save, some of which were better the JAK's. Parcel shelf, boot carpet (which I'd failed to notice was different to all later ones untill I got home!) etc.
So I decided to practice windcreen removal at home first.
Before any internal trim removal....
Not having done windscreens before, I went to town to try to get the dash pulled back, not actually needed but at least it got me working on stripping the car! You only have remove the metal caover plate BY the windscreen to get to the two screen clamps.
15 year old cig ends, enough to put anyone off them
I got a bit carried away and even took the seats out before realising they were needed for the screen job.
As I disconected any wires/switches I took photos to save head scatching on rebuilding.
I had asked a screen fitting company to come and remove it so I could see how to do it without breaking it. Although this screen is scrap anyway I wanted to get the one in the breakers out intact.
They failed to turn up so I had a go anyway as I needed practice for the next day.
I had the genereal idea and picked up a helpfull tip from a mate who used to strip cars.
The method, (mix of advice from V3M, Haynes and others!)
1. Scrape out the old sealant/crap all the way round the external part pf the rubber seal and free it from the paintwork.
2. Inject washing up liquid into the gap you've just cleaned out (I sprayed WD40 upside down along the bottom egde where the washing up bottle wouldn't go).
3. Wait for it to soak in for 20 min or so.
3 Rub washing up liquid onto the internal part of the rubber seal (inside the car) with a finger while releasing it's 33 year bond to the paint! This is the part of the seal that has to force through and round the window opening.
4. Sit in between and on the two front seats and position your feet (with cloth on to avoid scratches), one in each corner of the screen. Get your feet right into the TOP CORNERS, not the middle or low down. This was the last minute tip which I think is important.
5. Get a wife or sum such helpfull person to hold thier hands on the outside of the screen (with cloth in case of breakage) to stop the screen crashing onto the engine block Laurel and Hardy style.
6. Gently apply pressure with the feet, watching and listening to the seal as it brakes free. Give the rubber seal time to fold round the metal lip on the car body and as this happens you can adjust feet a bit towards the centre if needed. Dont rush! Make sure pressure is even on each foot to avoid flexing the screen. The screen flexes a bit and as long as you dont bend it too much all will be well.
7. Once the top edge pops out (it will take a fair bit of force), rest it back get out and the lift it out of the car.
Simples!
It's a job I've always thought looked to hard and having seen it done the wrong way (screen cracked), dreaded doing.
Get loads of washing up liquid on it!
Another reason the screen needed to come out. The leaking rust hole has caused major problems below...more later
