windscreen problems, need help

1. I am so close to having my windscreen back together but I am unable to bring one of the side pilliars into alignment. I was able to get the the top side in place and put in the screws, but the bottom just wouldnt come over. I used a compression strap ,tapped, pounded, lubed I just do not know what I am doing wrong. I have taken out the screws and I am in need of advice.

2. I also was wondering wich hole in the top of windscreen gets the long screw? The middle had it, but when I started to snug I thought I could feel the screen (hope I didnt chip)

I had a similar experience...

last corner is the tough one...

I had screws in three corners, and that last one took some pretty good whacks on the side post with the dead blow hammer to bring things into alignment...believe it or not, a dead blow hammer is safer than using straps to get it together...

also, try to remember your geometry....if the frame isn't exactly centered on the glass, you may have to whack a different corner, to move the pieces more into square..if the frame isn't square that last corner will not come into alignment...


good luck

I had the exact same problem, using strps and the hammer.

I hope you can follow me on this.

What finally worked for me was, I was about a 1/2 inch from completion. My top frame was about a 1/2 inch from the top of the verticle frame. I loosened the verticle straps and lifted the top frame abit (off the rubber). I then tightened with the horizontal straps a bit which brought the frame together, but the top frame was still off the rubber. Then I pushed down on the frame with the verticle straps and it went into place.

Kind of hard to explain without being there or without pics.

I had to read the above description about four times to make sure it made sense before I posted it. I hope this helps and makes sense.

Jeff,
When I got to this point I ended up removing that end and really slathering on the cream hand cleaner. After that I stood the frame on its end and pressed down.

The trick to MGB wind screens is that they must be exactly centered in their frames. To the half, or even quarter mm.
I use a loop of thin rope, or cord top and bottom and wind a large screwdriver, or something similar, in those ropes to pull the sides together, simultaneously. I also have a top to bottom loop of rope either end, mostly to keep the top rope in place. Last time I used some 6mm spectra rope from my sail boat.
The wind screen is curved, if you pull the pillars directly toward one another you will fold the windscreen in half. To over come this problem I place a solid piece of wood on the outside and center of the windscreen and pass the ropes around the outside of that. So that the ropes apply pressure along the glass and toward the center.
You need to apply pressure (not too much) top and bottom at the same time.
Unless you are almost there, and very lucky, it will be fastest to undo the top and recenter the glass.
Word of warning, for my first windscreen, I spent hours "almost there" ,3 mm to go,until I saw sense. You should probably put some windscreen sealer gunk in the bottom corners.
By the way, the center windscreen strut may not be perfectly center. Mine is out by about 5mm. So don't use this as a guide, like I did the first time!

Everything these guys said is how you should do it. I went through the same torture you are going through. Follow the advice for the dead blow hammer and use ratchiting straps just to help you along - not to force anything together. I developed a bad drinking habit during the job!

I just got through doing this same job. I research all kinds of procedures that didn't work so I made my own.

For what its worth here it is, it may help. Worked for me.

1. Clean any burrs from around ends and “T” track in bottom of lower rail where “windshield to body” seal fits. Install seal, lubricating the bottom of lower rail and seal rubber with lots of soapy water (Applied with paint brush) and slide into place in track. Two persons make this job easier, one pulling and one pushing. Leave two post securing screw holes uncovered on one end of track.
2. Mark windshield centers top and bottom – put some masking tape on glass leaving enough room for glazing rubber.
3. Install new glazing rubber on the windshield being sure it is properly centered and being careful not to stretch it. (There is a top and bottom).
4. With windshield held in vertical position, top down, push and the lower rail into position. Make sure the rail seal is centered and stays fully onto the windshield. Use lots of soapy water on outside of seal and inside the rail.
5. Turn windshield over and install the upper rail the same way.
6. Install center tie rod, this will help hold thing in position for the next steps (not necessary to tighten).
7. Push the first post into the upper and lower rails (the end with the securing holes exposed) tapping with rubber hammer (use cargo strap or a tourniquet if necessary) but make sure you don’t move the top and bottom rail from centre position on the windshield. Install screws. Fully tighten bottom screws and snug up upper. (the long screw go next to the post)
8. Now, pull and push lower windshield to body seal into position against the post you just installed, covering the post securing screws.
9. Making sure seal is right against post but in a “relaxed” state, its length neither compressed nor stretched. (lightly tapped the seal up and down its length with a rubber mallet to facilitate the procedure) now cut seal to proper length.
10. Next, push the seal against the installed post compressing its length to uncover the screw holes for securing the other post.
11. Install second post as per 7) above (A ratchet cargo strap or a tourniquet helps this process also light tapping with rubber mallet). It will be necessary to carefully spread the rails to get the post into the rail slots. Keep the glazing rubber in position on the glass not in the rail. Loosen the center tie rod if necessary to allow rails to accept post. Once post in position install lower screws tighten, next pull/push seal back into position against post tapping it lightly to get back into “relaxed” position. It will fit snuggly against both posts.
12. Stand windshield on lower rail and push the upper rail into position and install upper rail screws.
13. Snug up center tie rod. Remove straps.
finis