Found a windshield at a Volvo dealer (...go figure...) and called around the local windshield guys (Novus Auto Glass, etc.) to get an install price. They want $150-$200 to install.

Is this a fair price?

Is it something I can do? I've rebuild engines, done upholstry, etc. but a large piece of breakable glass is a bit intimidating...so am unsure.

Anyone have install advice? Or go for the expert install?

Thanks!

ml

I've done it and it is easy, but an extra set of hands helps. This window goes in without sealant, it is just the rubber gasket around the perimeter. Take off the external metal trim carefully. unscreww the internal metal trim. Break out the old windshield, so that you can salvage the old gasket and reuse. Try not to tear it. Then you place the gasket around the per., of the glass, get some cord abour 1/8" diameter and put it into the groove that will eventually go around the opening. The idea is to place the glass against the opening and thenpull the cord to coax the gasket lip into the opening, you work your way around the window this way. Use plenty of soapy water to help everything slip into place. Hyanes says to thump the glass in place to ensure good contact between the gasket and opening, and there is a bit of finnessing as you go, You start the cord in one of the corners. The metal trim on the outside works the same way, you use a cord along the inside edge of the gasket to pull it into the trim. Haynes Mnaual has a quite satisfactory explanation of this, and actually is a good manual for this car in general ISBN 0 85696203 1 . As far as breaking the glass, do this on a warm day in the sun, and don't bend the glass, don't use metal to try to pry anything. If you are having trouble fitting the glass reposition it a little, it moves around when it is in the gasket. Apparently you need to use a non setting sealant between the glass and rubber on the outside once the glass is installed. Good luck, I'm a hack and I did it, so there is no reason you can't.

If that price includes the glass and seal, it's very good.

If you have a very good condition rubber seal to use you can do it pretty easily, following the Haynes instructions. Put the seal on the glass. Put a 1/4 inch cord in the rubber groove all around the windsheild. Place the windshield on the outside of the windows frame. COntinually make sure the window is square to the opening. Pull the cord inside, working the rubber over the lip. Make sure the window is square to the opening. Be gentle, push the window from the outside gently as you go, but not too hard. Don't let the cord cut the rubber.
Press in all around with your palms. NEVER use a pry tool.
--
'74 145e T-5 'Orange Alert'

The price of the glass is $269. Seal $45. Install $150-$200.

So TOTAL would be around $500, which seems a bit steep, so am looking for cost savings measures.

maybe this is the cost of a volvo one. the orrigional windsheilds always seem thicker to me than the jobber ones. anyone ever measured the thickness when replacing?

Phil

$45 on the seal is ok, but $269 for the glass, how rude!! Very pricey!!!!

150 to 200 for installation...OUCH... Keep shopping.

Your local mobile glass guy can't help you?

I am seeing 1085 SEK (or so) for one through CVI or GCP. That is $145.50 US. Get with Swedishtreasures.com or Vintageimparts.com and i think you may find a better price even with shipping.

I'm curious what city the Volvo dealer is in which charged $269 for glass; picked mine up from dealer a few years back and it was only around $140. Are prices rising that fast? If you haven't purchased the thing yet, call another Volvo dealer/ parts department, I bet they can beat that price.

Do you have a Safelite franchise in your town? They did an excellent job on one of my windshield replacements, for under $75 I seem to remember

Everything uniberp said... and there is an excellent article in the Tech Archive of www.vclassics.com ...DO NOT use silicone though.

Here is the article.

Shayne is correct, do not use silicon -- worked great for about two years and then leaked like a seive. 3M Bedding Compound is the stuff.