Windshield
- Thread starter RaceDeck
- Start date
I haven't, but I believe there is now a technique known amongst a few alchemists here that involves no side fender removal. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to advise....
- Aug 25, 2006
- 4,436
There have been those that have replaced the windshield without removing the fenders however I do "not" recommend it.
The reason is simple; to properly install a windshield you first need to remove all of the old urethane and then with the surface properly prepared and a new bead of urethane in place the windshield needs to be set directly into place which is impossible to do with the fenders in place.
Takes care
Shadowman
The reason is simple; to properly install a windshield you first need to remove all of the old urethane and then with the surface properly prepared and a new bead of urethane in place the windshield needs to be set directly into place which is impossible to do with the fenders in place.
Takes care
Shadowman
...and that was the only design "flaw" in the whole car IMO. I cannot for the life of me understand why Camillo seemingly never gave windshield replacement a thought. :frown
BlackICE
GT Owner
Maybe not high on the list given the accelerated development time frame. Besides, if you can afford the car, you can afford to have your fenders removed to replace the glass. Just don't have the glass guy do it, but a FGT specialist that knows the procedure.
- Aug 25, 2006
- 4,436
Well stated and for the record the windshield is reasonable in price and the labor to do it "properly" is not extreme and worth every dollar.
IMO if one wants to replace your windshield without removing the fenders and then removing "all" of the old urethane and then properly preparing the surface which includes applying a special primer/adhesion promoter before the new bead urethane is applied followed by setting the new windshield is put in place you should simply thank them for their time and you need to take your gal elsewhere.......
Takes care
Shadowman
Name another "domestic" car that requires the removal of its front fenders to change it's windshield? Replacement of a key item like that ought to automatically be on the "priority check list" of design considerations when designing any vehicle IMO - but especially when said car will be 44" high, because the windshield on something like that will be DIRECTLY in the line of fire of every rock launched with a block of it.
"Can afford" and "willing to" are two separate issues that are not necessarily mutually inclusive. And frankly, NEITHER should inter into the design equation where a windshield is concerned. It ought to just be an automatic "given" that ANY windshield on any car can be replaced w/o tearing apart the car it's mounted on. 'Just MHO. (And bear in mind that there are many on this Forum [and elsewhere] who can afford a Ferrari [or 2...or 3...or] but chose NOT to own one because of the costs of the "required" maintenance on those cars. "You can afford" is neither here nor there for them. Jus' sayin'...)
Hey! Do you realize this is the first thing you & I have disagreed on since dirt was invented???! Is there a full moon out tonight, er whut? But, I still luv ya anyway, Clinton :lol
You too, Bill! :lol :cheers
BlackICE
GT Owner
Name me another domestic car with an MSRP of >150K?
The car isn't perfect, but is amazingly good given the development time and sales price. A car with a limited production of about 4000 for 2 years time will not have a lot of thing people will take for granted on higher production vehicles at any price. I don't have any 1st hand experience with Fcars, Lambos, but I would guess that they have in general higher labor costs than the FGT for similar problems. The parts cost are a toss up. Many FGT parts are very inexpensive, others unique to the FGT was Fcar high, or HIGHER! Many people confuse high sales prices with quality and reliability. In most cases they are inversely related. Not so much because of the price, but because higher price cars are sold in smaller numbers. High production numbers usually = higher reliability and lower maintenance cost. Low production numbers usually = lower reliability and higher maintenance cost. A Ford F150 is more reliable than anything else Ford sells and a 3 series BMW is better in that respect than the 7 series.
As for the windshield being vulnerable, it is a concern. I try never to get too close to the rear of a car and never a truck! That said I have been hit on the fender and windshield once each. Luckily no really damage. The fender has a very small scratch that probably could be detailed out.
EP, I don't know why the windshield would be even the slightest concern for you, rocks haven't been known to hit the windshield of a car parked in the garage.
The car isn't perfect, but is amazingly good given the development time and sales price. A car with a limited production of about 4000 for 2 years time will not have a lot of thing people will take for granted on higher production vehicles at any price. I don't have any 1st hand experience with Fcars, Lambos, but I would guess that they have in general higher labor costs than the FGT for similar problems. The parts cost are a toss up. Many FGT parts are very inexpensive, others unique to the FGT was Fcar high, or HIGHER! Many people confuse high sales prices with quality and reliability. In most cases they are inversely related. Not so much because of the price, but because higher price cars are sold in smaller numbers. High production numbers usually = higher reliability and lower maintenance cost. Low production numbers usually = lower reliability and higher maintenance cost. A Ford F150 is more reliable than anything else Ford sells and a 3 series BMW is better in that respect than the 7 series.
As for the windshield being vulnerable, it is a concern. I try never to get too close to the rear of a car and never a truck! That said I have been hit on the fender and windshield once each. Luckily no really damage. The fender has a very small scratch that probably could be detailed out.
EP, I don't know why the windshield would be even the slightest concern for you, rocks haven't been known to hit the windshield of a car parked in the garage.
What the devil does the price of a vehicle have to do with replacing its windshield?!
At least 30% of the rock hits I've had have come from ONCOMING traffic...and there really isn't diddley one can do to prevent/avoid those.
Now THERE'S the OLD Clinton I use to know!!!!! :rofl
BlackICE
GT Owner
The FGT shouldn't be compared to the typical domestic car and the 150K was further evidence of that, since no other domestic is or was priced that high.
When compared to limited production cars (<4100) costing in excess of 150K, the FGT service and repair costs are not high. They may be higher than you would like, but not higher than comparable cars.
When compared to limited production cars (<4100) costing in excess of 150K, the FGT service and repair costs are not high. They may be higher than you would like, but not higher than comparable cars.
Dang it, Clinton, my panties aren't in a wad because of the cost - my 'issue' here is the need to remove the fenders in the first darn place! THAT shouldn't be necessary on A-N-Y car regardless of price, and THAT is my gripe! :tongue :cheers
Nuffa this...I'm going nighty-night!
Whoa! MSRP on a windshield is $931. Lets say avg guy will pay at least $800. Remove BOTH front fenders (and fender liners), clean and install windshield, re-install BOTH fenders and liners.... how much would YOU charge for that Bill? I'd say we're North of $1500 for the whole job. That's expensive in my book.
BlackICE
GT Owner
- Aug 25, 2006
- 4,436
nota4re you reply as if I designed the gal as such presented the proper way to tend to them; I simply share that which I know to be proper and not how too cut corners or create a patchwork quilt over time. Now before I go on I have walked many folks through the process of removing their fenders and to a person they said "now that was not difficult but rather it took a bit of time and blue tape". The cost of ownership and as well as that which is needed to maintain such over time varies from product to product so for one to say that it is expensive must be based on something otherwise it is little more than an interesting comment typically reflecting that which one is comfortable spending and not based in fact.
It may be a lot of money however it is not expensive to replace.
It is not a Prius as such there are not a bazillion running around; it is a boutique very limited production car and when compared to “all” other gals that run in this league the windshield should be the least of one’s concerns; dare I share that a windshield for an Murcielago is $8K plus installed and the last I was updated the Enzo is $16K plus installed.
Now if it is based on your response that some have replaced windshields and or should be encouraged to do so without removing the fenders then for me significant concern resides because if the windshield is not properly fitted it can crack and if not properly sealed then migratory water damage to the dash is likely; a dash that today cost $32131.17; yes “Thirty Two Thousand One Hundred Thirty One dollars and Seventeen Cents” and then add to this the labor to replace it will be 30 plus hours and the need to recharge the a/c and the cooling system for another, let’s say $4K “Four Thousand Dollars” resulting in a combined bill of $36K.
So I reiterate; the windshield for these gals is moderately priced and yes even when installed properly.
I have shared many times; Ford created a phenomenal gal and sold them at a price that was IMO un-fricken believable however that was merely the cost of admission and not the cost to remain. The parts for the gals have increased and will continue to do so very simply because Ford will continue to pay a premium for short restocking orders when compared to the initial gross order and then add to this the fact that many of the initial vendors are no longer in business as such the process is truly from scratch and boutique in nature; this would be referred to as basic business 101.
Now having shared this it is fortunately that the angle of attack on the Ford GT windshield is extreme as such the number of windshields replaced have been few and yet if the concern of having to do so as well as the associated costs remains then I encourage that plastic film be applied as it will absorbed a significant impact with no migratory damage.
Takes care
Shadowman
Last edited:
well stated Bill.
must have been a tough weekend for some.
Here is one simple suggestion ... insurance.
and good night to all.
here is the windshield link from a few months back:
http://www.fordgtforum.com/forums/showthread.php?18441-Windshield-replacement&highlight=windshield
must have been a tough weekend for some.
Here is one simple suggestion ... insurance.
and good night to all.
here is the windshield link from a few months back:
http://www.fordgtforum.com/forums/showthread.php?18441-Windshield-replacement&highlight=windshield
BlackICE
GT Owner
Kendall you are right on target! I am quite sure that Bill would charge WELL NORTH of $1500 to replace a windshield. It isn't always true that you get what you pay for, in Bill's case it IS! I am known to be very parsimonious by my friends. However, I have had Bill work on my car a number of times and although his fee may be considered high by some if not most, it was worth every penny in knowing the job was done right and with the care and attention to detail that I cannot match! I know that all of Bill's customers feel the same way.
As for the windshield I would be leery of replacing one without following Ford's recommended procedures. I have read about auto glass popping off of cars traveling at high speeds due to aerodynamic pressures. The last thing I want to worry about is my windshield coming off during the TX, or Mojave mile!
Kendall have you ever replace a windshield, if so, what procedures do you follow and approximately what would charge?
Last edited:
BlackICE
GT Owner
"May the lice of 10,000 camels..."
I woke up about 1/2 hr ago with a real SOUR stomach. I wonder if YOU TWO have anything to do with it! :lol