Front Windscreen

SWF · Postby **SWF** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:19 am

I had a front windscreen fitted 5 years ago and never realized it was badly done that it caused continuous water in the footwell to be present(one suspects blocked a/c waste pipes) and rust in one sill. Took me all this time to trace it. The rubber fits poorly and needs silicone sealant between it and glass and it and body. Beware.

Telsmoneypit · Postby **Telsmoneypit** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 10:51 pm

Who fitted it for you? My bet is on 'A******ss'

I had exactly the same problems when they did my screen. My main gripe was that the fitter declared the rubber to be serviceable when it was obviously degraded. More fool me, I let him carry on....
I ended up buying a new seal and fitted it myself, be warned - It's a pig of a job but since I did it I've had no leaks at all.

Just out of curiousity, as I claimed my screen on the insurance I only paid £50. The actual bill was £300+ (picked up by my insurer) - a new screen from Jaguar would have cost £150 at the time... How much was your insurer ripped off by?

Tel

Mark_B · Postby **Mark_B** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:53 pm

A few years ago, after speaking to a few big-name (so-called professional) screen fitters out the yellow pages, I decided to do my xjs myself as I wasn't prepared to trust the job to anyone else. Every fitter I spoke to said they would not be responsible if the screen I supplied broke while fitting. I also wasn't convinced they completely understood what the job invloved, i.e. refitting chrome trims etc. They also tend to say 'we've never had a leak' (my father had his screen done on his japanese RCV leaked like a sieve). While the screen is out a professional won't treat any rust spots properly he doesn't have time so they cover the rust with sealer ('we've never had problems before doing that sir') and it rusts out. Advice I have for anyone getting windscreen done is find someone who has experience of this type of windscreen/rubber and by recommendation. You can't re-use rubber over a few years old, besides they are cheap enough (professionals tend to order the wrong one anyway), while the screen is out you should treat rust spots, the metal trims should go back while the sealer is still wet, or they won't go back properly.

poprivet · Postby **poprivet** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 9:19 am

The screen on mine is a bit grit blasted, nothing large enough to fail an mot, but visibility isn't perfect in strong sunlight or at night. I've been considering changing the screen but I really don't want some monkey doing the job badly. Does anyone know of a published procedure somewhere that gives good advice, such as what sealant to use etc?
Pop

SWF · Postby **SWF** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 1:04 am

Don't know who fitted the screen as it was broken during the conversion to cabriolet at Paul Banham's in Kent. Mine is a 1992 facelit 4 litre and as original factory parts were used, it looks like a factory job. This confuses quite a few. Paul Banham must has got some local firm to replace the screen. It leaked at the first touch of rain, but silicone gunge seemed to sort it. I just didn't know it was leaking elsewhere. All seems OK now.