windshield removal

Good day all:

I'm getting ready to put a new windshield in the 72 B and after reading all the info here it seems like I'm in for a rough time.
I googled "How to remove an MGB windshield" and got an article from HowTo detailing how to remove the windshield without taking the frame off the car. Sounds too easy . Has anyone tried this before?

Thanks

Have helped reinstall a windshield. If possible remove the dashboard as it will make the installation much easier. There's a pad located betweeen the bottom of the frame and interior pannel. You can use GM tapered body bolts to make installation easier. Although my friend said he had to buy a box of 100 to get 2 bolts.

Mike,

You don't strictly have to remove the dashboard, at least I haven't when I've removed the windshield. Although with the dashboard removed, it's be a piece of cake. But removing the dashboard itself is a pain. Then you'll find all kinds of other things to "fix" under the dash! It's a slippery slope, especially if you have "shipwrights" disease, which is a common affliction among LBC owners.

D

When I did mine it was 5-1/2 hours and two of us. I found the worst part the seal/body frame and replacing the rusted screws in the pillar brackets along with rust in the hidden parts. You really need a good lubricant for the seal too. Good luck and make it fun by taking your time

Why are you removing - is it to put new glass in? Unless my memory is really shot (and bearing in mind I didn't stay around to watch) I had new glass installed in-situ by a windscreen company. Cost a whole $240 all up.

Thanks for all the great help guys.

I'll order the Haynes MGB restoration book and get to work.

http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?1,1831943,1831943#msg-1831943 is a play by play of me doing mine a few months ago...

4 bolts two on a side. If you have a ratcheting wrench, that makes life easier. While I haven't done a 72, I know that it's no big deal to remove it from a later car. When you put it back in, you'll want someone to push it down while you start the first bolt.

Did this exact job two weeks ago to replace seal at bottom of WS on '73 B. Two things helped a lot. Thing one, remove the pop-riveted covers in the door wells to expose the base of the WS bracket. That let's you see what you are shooting at and it's just 7 pop-rivets a side. Second thing, take the four bolts and sharpen them in a grinder before replacing. They're a little long, so you'll still get proper embedment, but sharpening them makes it a lot easier to get them started. Good luck!

Look in the archives and take a look at the rope trick for the seal you will also have to have it warm when you you do this so the seal will be plyable. The c clamps at the mounts to bring it down also is the archives. Good luck John.B)-

You should take the frame off. I've heard of frame on window replacement. They undo the top, brutally push/bend the posts apart then squeeze them back together. Bending brackets and your car back and forth. Real ugly.
Take the frame off.
The trick with getting the windscreen back together after you have taken it apart is to make sure that the glass is centred exactly, to within half a millimeter. That's about as small a distance as you can see. It is far quicker to start over/reposition the frame than to try and get the off centre glass to squeeze over a millimeter or two, because it won't and it will take you hours of "...almossst thereee" to realise this. At least that's how it went with me the first time.
I use ropes cords with sticks wound in them to squeeze the frame and also pull it down on the car.

Take some of the advice you have had. Me, I took the whole frame out so I could stand right over it and get the centers right. Many have wrote in this forum about glass breaking. If you buy the cheap glass you will pay for it. If you buy tri-plex, the chances of it breaking is nill the cheap glass is 50=50 you decide. you will only want to do a replacement once!

Thanks for all the great advice.

Just ordered the tri-plex from Moss and appreciate all those who submitted helpful hints.

Thanks

Mike,

I know it is expensive but trust me you just saved money. Good luck!