Windshield Glass: Installation
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Ford Pickup, 2009 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2009 Ford F450 Super Duty, and 2009 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Dry-fit the new windshield glass on the existing urethane bead on the pinch weld.
- Position the windshield glass on the pinch weld.
- Center the windshield glass in the opening.
- Adjust the windshield glass stop blocks as needed for best fit.
- Make alignment marks with tape or non-staining grease pencil (preferably at the windshield glass stop blocks) on the windshield glass and the body.
- After the dry-fit alignment, remove the glass and molding assembly from the windshield opening and place on a stable work surface with the interior side of the glass facing up.
- Using a clean shop towel, brush or oil-free compressed air, clean the pinch weld area around the existing urethane. Remove any foreign material or water that may have entered during windshield removal.
- Using an appropriate tool, trim the urethane adhesive leaving a 1-2 mm (0.04-0.08 in) base of original equipment urethane on the pinch weld.
- If reinstalling the same windshield glass, remove the remaining urethane adhesive from the glass leaving a thin layer to bond with the new urethane bead.
- Clean the inside of the new windshield glass with glass cleaner.
- Make sure to thoroughly clean the surface of the blackened border area where the urethane adhesive will be applied.
- If installing a new windshield glass, apply urethane glass primer according to manufacturer's instructions. Allow at least 6 minutes to dry.
- Cut the applicator tip to specification. This will produce a triangular bead during application.
- Apply a uniform 11 mm (0.43 in) bead of urethane adhesive, on top of the existing trimmed urethane bead on the pinch weld.
- Make sure that all gaps in the urethane bead are smoothed into one continuous bead.
- Using the alignment marks made previously, position the windshield glass on the pinch weld.
- Check the glass installation for air or water leaks.
- Install the sun visors.
- Install the overhead console.
- Install the A-pillar trim panels. For additional information, refer to INTERIOR TRIM AND ORNAMENTATION article.
- Install the interior rear view mirror. For additional information, refer to REAR VIEW MIRRORS article.
- Install the cowl panel grille. For additional information, refer to FRONT END BODY PANELS article.
WARNING:
Repair any corrosion found on the pinch weld. The pinch weld is a structural component of the vehicle. Corrosion left unrepaired may reduce the structural integrity of the vehicle. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious injury to vehicle occupant(s).
NOTE:
Avoid scratching the pinch weld. For minor scratches or exposed metal on the pinch weld, see the manufacturer's recommendations.
NOTE:
Be sure to use the same brand and cure-rate products for the adhesive and primer. Do not mix different brands of urethane and primer. Refer to the Material Chart in this procedure.
NOTE:
Sika uses the same black primer for the glass and pinch weld area.
NOTE:
The urethane bead must have a triangular cross section.
NOTE:
The windshield glass must be positioned within 10 minutes of applying the urethane adhesive.
WARNING:
Do not drive vehicle until the urethane adhesive seal has cured. Follow urethane adhesive manufacturer's curing directions. Inadequate or incorrect curing of the urethane adhesive seal will adversely affect glass retention. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious injury to vehicle occupant(s).
CAUTION:
Before positioning the windshield glass, open vehicle windows to prevent the air pressure of closing doors from affecting the adhesive bond.
NOTE:
The urethane adhesive must cure for a minimum of one hour before testing for air or water leaks.