Windscreen Replacement - best way to avoid corrosion?

[993paul]

Unfortunately picked up a windscreen chip on my 993 RS, and Autoglass due to attempt a repair next week, but if it requires replacement I am concerned that the bottom of the screen pillars may be damaged during replacement and set off 'the dreaded' pillar corrosion. As my car is an increasingly valuable RS[] with original panels and no corrosion[], I want to keep it that way!

Can anyone suggest whether Autoglass folks are sufficiently qualified to do a screen replacement without damage, or should I go to another specialist for peace of mind (or Main dealer but are they that good at screen replacements??). Insurance will pay, so its a question of "who is best?"

 

[38F3E1]

From all the threads I have read on the subject I understand it is very likely that if the screen has to be removed the paint in the window channel will be scratched and damaged whilst doing it. Someone like Autoglass will then want to fit the new window where as what you need to do is make sure any newly exposed metalwork is correctly covered and protected before the new window goes in.

If it was my car and it needed it I would only have the screen replaced at a trusted specialist, knowing that they would not remove and fit the screen in one day but would have the screen removed and then ask the window fitters to leave and only ask them back when everything was prepared and ready. I doubt an insurance company would pay for calling out the fillters twice, once to remove and once to fit.

Perhaps OTT but I have heard that any damage to the window channel does make future rust issues there much more likely.

Ian.

 

[gresley]

Take it to a specialist and get them to take out screen. You may find that there IS some corrosion in there already. Have remedial work done if required. Get Autoglass to attend at specialist and fit screen under their supervision.

This what I did recently and it worked well.

Andrew W.

 

[Mark Elder]

Another route to take (which I fell into almost by accident) might be as follow:

I picked up a chip in part of the windscreen where I know Autoglass will say "needs new screen mate, not allowed to fill that, more than my job's worth". I went to my indie and asked him who to get to replace the screen properly and he said "let me take a look, .... ha, I can fill that chip no problem".

As he does my MOTs too he knows what standard he need to reach to ensure it passes the MOT[]

And in any case I now can't see the chip.

Basically, if autogalss won't fill the chip others might, and it's worth it if it avoids a windscreen replacement on a 993

 

[Guards Red]

ORIGINAL: 993paul

Unfortunately picked up a windscreen chip on my 993 RS, and Autoglass due to attempt a repair next week, but if it requires replacement I am concerned that the bottom of the screen pillars may be damaged during replacement and set off 'the dreaded' pillar corrosion. As my car is an increasingly valuable RS[] with original panels and no corrosion[], I want to keep it that way!

Can anyone suggest whether Autoglass folks are sufficiently qualified to do a screen replacement without damage, or should I go to another specialist for peace of mind (or Main dealer but are they that good at screen replacements??). Insurance will pay, so its a question of "who is best?"

Where abouts are you?

Windscreen replacement is a very tricky job to get right, if it needs doing I'd make sure whoever you entrust to do the work has done many 993's before.

The problem is that the windscreen aperture is and old design that previously housed all sorts of old windscreen systems. I think the 964 was the first 911 using a bonded screen. Accordingly the screen has lots of space around it and it can be bonded quite a bit away from where it needs to be.Worst case they leak, best case for a bady fitted screens is the outer rubber seal falls into the gap between screen and body or the VIN cannot be seen. Only way to correct this is removal. Porsche use a template to fit the screen and recommend two techs do the work. Most regular windscreen outfits will not have a template and will not use two guys to do the work as most screens do not need this level of attention. Most specialists will not carry the template either but hopefully their guys will have done enough 993 screens not to be learning on yours.

Most winscreem removal tools are brutal looking things. From a wire garotte thing to an electric saw. Again the 993 windscreen apreture does not lend itself well to easy use of these tools and galvanised bodies do not like to be scratched. Porsche have issued a TSB aimed specifically at dealing with damaged paint on windscreen replacement. Might be worth approaching your OPC with the TSB and the intructions from the workshop manual. This is what I did and now have a perfect job. My insurance company were not initially happy with this but signed up once I explained I wanted a genuine screen (structual part) and that I would pay for it myself and clain it back from them. New screen, new rear view mirror came in at 1200 pounds.

What you don't want is a little rust in there already and your windscreen guy just slapping a new screen on top of it. You'll find big bills in your future with that approach.

Good luck.
GR

 

[993paul]

Appreciate your feedback guys, I guess its a question of finding "an expert". I'm in Haslemere, my nearest main dealer is Guildford - any suggestions?

 

[993paul]

Thanks for feedback everyone - just for info - I will get Autoglass to attempt a repair under my A Manning Insurance, if not possible it will not affect my insurance (no work - no charge) I will nominate GTR Motorsport bodyshop to do a screen replacement with an original Porsche (rather than Pilkington) screen, making sure that any corrosion related issue is dealt with before re installing[8D]. This will cost me a little more in terms of deductible to go to an independant rather than Autoglass (£100) but well worth it.