Windshield install video anywhere?

No video I'm aware of, but I could be wrong. RE: tension rod, CMC had their own style, the upper part did not have a small hook on it that goes into the windshield, it is slotted to fit into the frame hole...at least that is the way mine is...it does prevent accidentally applying pressure on the the top edge of the windshield that a hook type could if forced in to far by having too much tension on the rod.

I spoke with the folks at Sierra Madre regarding their tension rod, a standard hook type, and was assured it would work on the CMC windshield frame, FWIW.

Check out Gordon N.'s topic on installing windshields in the Knowledge base, under Resources...very informative and helpful. Good Luck!

I can take photo and measure the "Mirror Speedster Windshield Mounting Rod."  It's  a chrome solid rod with threads on one end and a bent 90 degree angle and hack saw cut to catch hole in windshield frame.  It is still listed in the MGMagic (Miami, FL) catalog for $44.50. It could easily be replicated. Hole in dash is to be drilled by builder.

Note - I'll double check and post photo.

One thing I'd stress, as others have said, is tighten the tension rod bolt finger tight after you get the height adjustment correct, then tighten the top nut where the rod comes out of the dash until it is just 'snug'(if using a CMC style rod)...the top nut does put more tension in the rod, then turn the lower nut about 1/4 turn more. If you tighten everything up real 'tight' you run the risk of fracturing the windshield or there is enough tension applied on it that if someone should accidentally lean or pull on the windshield it could fracture, that is probably why mine broke when I forgot(duh!) and leaned into the car supporting myself on the corner of the windshield, my rod was tightened down very tight....I'm not sure but I think the tension rod is supposed to sort of allow the windshield to be 'floating' a bit.

I followed Gordon's instructions and it was pretty easy to install a new windshield, just be patient and take your time.

I made my own

I just used thread rod and put a hook at the end, Cut most of the hook off so it won't touch the glass. Will snap a pic later.

I'm sure I'm going to be on the lower end of popularity with my opinion... but here goes.

If it's worth doing it, why not do it once and do it right? This is a pretty visible and recognizable feature of our little replicas.  I couldn't find the MG magic unit on their site.

The SMC part may work:

http://www.sierramadrecollecti...ter-54-58-p1531.html 

Just my dos pesos,
Ted

https://www.speedsterowners.com...speedster-windshield

Hi,

having done this myself, I'd like to think the stay needs to be pretty secure, because if you're also fitting a roof, and you're wanting that to also tension up properly, the windshield needs to be immovable.

Fitting it took me about half an hour once all the holes were drilled and everything lined up, the window frame sat flush on the rubber all the way round.

I tightened up each side finger tight, then tightened up the center stay tight, then spanner tightened the two frame side nuts as tight as I felt was tight, and then went back and used a spanner to tighten the center hex bar nut some more. I have pushed and pulled on the frame on each side and there is no movement. Been like this now for 6 months, all good, no problems, and I've fitted a Top which tensions up off the frame pretty tight as well. If the center stay isn't tight, the frame will lift in the middle when you tension up the roof.

Hope this makes a little sense.

regards

Alan

This is on of those times when it is best to go with what is a proven method and not try to wing it ......it can be expensive. Follow the instructions that Gordon posted regarding windshield installation instructions depicting the way I've done it for some 35 still have not broken one yet okay so I've been a little lucky

Here's a quick photo.

Alan..there's no question that you have the best record of windshield install success.

Just wondering though, would soapy water not help the initial " settling " of the install ?

For the record...my new windshield is on the way and it'll be my fourth in four years. ))) Not all my fault....one broke in covered transport to Sacramento 2011, my replacement caught a rock near the Georgia / Fla state line 2014 and that one's replacement got broke by an overnight gremlin at Carlisle last year.

IMHO soapy weather will make holding the rubber in place until on the car difficult...on a few of the earlier installs I did, I used blue tape to secure the rubber to the glass until installed.

Yeah, I tried something like "Dawn" dishwashing liquid as a lubricant on one that I did and decided that it was FAR dirtier and goopier to work with than it was worth.  It loosens rubber particles that emulsify into a light paste and then liberally coat you, your clothes, the car, the windshield, the dogs - pretty much everything in sight.  In the end, it was easier to just do everything dry - everything usually slips right together EXCEPT for that pesky lip over the bottom trim strip and neither Alan nor I try to seat it (we cheat).

BTW:  I used Popsicle sticks as tools on the first two that I did to pop rubber lips and such, but have now gotten a set of plastic (nylon) tools (they look suspiciously like bicycle tire tools) that seem to work just as well.

I re-installed front and back glass in a Scirocco YEARS ago after a repaint. I put new rubber on the glass, then used a 12 gauge stranded automotive wire in the grove to seat the gasket. I used soap, but not much of it. Got both front and rear in fairly easily and lips were all seated fine. It helps to have someone put pressure on the glas following where you seat the seal.

Zero broken glass, first try!

I made my own plastic tools out of some old nylon 1 1/2" wide drywall blades. I just cut a 'hook' notch on one edge of the blade about a 1/2'' long, worked great. My buddy gave me some 'goop', don't know what it is called for sure, that pro-glass installers use, it softens the rubber up enough so that it is flexible to work with but once the glass is installed then you just lightly spray some clear water on it and it washes right off and when it dries it returns the rubber to it's former stiffness. Don got it from a pro-glass installer when they came to his shop to install all the glass on a '57 Nomad he was working on...no mess and you do not need much of it. With two of us installing the glass it pretty much slipped right in and one of us used  my new 'tools' to work the lips up while the other held the glass until it was firmly seated...easier than I thought it'd go...I was dreading the install...thought for sure I'd probably bugger it up and break the glass.

Hey guys!  Is the tension rod held onto the windshield frame via tension and nothing ele?  I recently bought a replica, and my tension rod is not attached, and I don't know how to reattach it.  It has a hook, but the frame itself just has a hole...no threads or anything.  I imagine things have shifted around a bit because it's not even long enough to fit into the hole.  I imagine I can adjust this from underneath the dash? I can fix anything on a house, but I don't know jack about cars!  Just trying to understand this so I don't have to rely on a VW mechanic who's never seen one.  Thanks in advance.

I wrote this some time ago it gives you all the helpful hints

https://www.speedsterowners.com...speedster-windshield

Not pretty but it works fine for the "Outlaw"

I wonder if the chrome drain pop-up plumbing bit would work (is it long enough?).  Its chromed brass and has threads where the knob is. $7 at Lowes.