Windshield Trim

[MidLifeBird]

I walked out of my office yesterday to find that the rock chip in my windshield had turned into an 18" crack that travels directly through my line of sight while driving. I looked up several posts on windshield replacements to see what kind of aggravation to expect, but was given something unexpected to worry about when I started calling for quotes this morning. The first two places I talked to said it was difficult to remove the chrome trim around the windshield without bending it and they wouldn't guaruntee that they could do it. The local Ford dealer doesn't do glass work, but said the trim is designed to be removed. Does anybody have any experience with removing the trim? There were no comments about that being a problems in the windshield threads that I read last night. Thanks.

[Ediron]

Re: Windshield Trim

My windshield was replaced 2 mos. ago with no problem to trim.Only gripe was the silicone smell in the car as it cured. Try to get one with the original T-Bird logo in the lower center of the windshield.

[AZTB]

Re: Windshield Trim

Trent, our dealer replaced our windshield a couple years ago when they broke it replacing our PCM. No problems at all...good luck.

[00mustng]

Re: Windshield Trim

.....hi Trent....If there is a Lincoln dealer close by...might be worth a try as it appears they are more involved with T-Birds than Ford dealers.....Do a survey of the independent shops...restoration shops....I had Crystal Glass do mine as they had experience with this application. The only way the trim would be damaged would be through carelessness/indifference/lack of experience....cheers!

[FritsB]

Re: Windshield Trim

I walked out of my office yesterday to find that the rock chip in my windshield had turned into an 18" crack that travels directly through my line of sight while driving. I looked up several posts on windshield replacements to see what kind of aggravation to expect, but was given something unexpected to worry about when I started calling for quotes this morning. The first two places I talked to said it was difficult to remove the chrome trim around the windshield without bending it and they wouldn't guaruntee that they could do it. The local Ford dealer doesn't do glass work, but said the trim is designed to be removed. Does anybody have any experience with removing the trim? There were no comments about that being a problems in the windshield threads that I read last night. Thanks.

Removing the chrome trim is no problem at all. All it requires is the right tool to get to the nuts on the inside of the interior. Bolts are long and nuts are located quite deep inside a small compartment. But once those are off the trim comes loose. Should not be a big issue for any mechanic.

[MidLifeBird]

Re: Windshield Trim

Thanks for the comments. I feel better about it now. I was just a little concerned that the first two shops I called both mentioned how difficult it is to remove the trim. Can anyone direct me to a website that might have diagrams of where the screws and clips are located that need to be removed? I had to pull my radio out a few weeks ago, and after looking at a diagram and reading some instructions that were posted on this site it was a piece of cake. I would probably have broken something without some of the pointers I picked up here. Thanks again.

[redbirdsal]

Re: Windshield Trim

Trent, I asked my insurance man for a recommendation of an installer. The guy he referred me to was telling me I'd have to leave it all day...how involved the process was (said the Ford book showed he had to remove the DASH, and lots more stuff.

I knew Dot had recently had hers replaced, and that it didn't seem to be a big deal. Long story, short, I took it to the local Ford dealership and they called a guy in. I stayed with CARTOY until the replacement was done after making sure it was the correct glass for an '02. No dash removal, or any of the other steps the first guy had talked about...seemed an easy process, though it was really traumatic for me to watch!

[HKS]

Re: Windshield Trim

Sally,

You did the right thing. You waited and watched. I left mine at the installers and they butchered the vinyl on the dash and sides. Had to have vinyl fixed and then the vinyl repair person damaged the paint on the steering wheel. Had to have it repainted at the dealer. Wheel remove an install and paint cost $120.
HKS

Trent, I asked my insurance man for a recommendation of an installer. The guy he referred me to was telling me I'd have to leave it all day...how involved the process was (said the Ford book showed he had to remove the DASH, and lots more stuff.

I knew Dot had recently had hers replaced, and that it didn't seem to be a big deal. Long story, short, I took it to the local Ford dealership and they called a guy in. I stayed with CARTOY until the replacement was done after making sure it was the correct glass for an '02. No dash removal, or any of the other steps the first guy had talked about...seemed an easy process, though it was really traumatic for me to watch!

[MidLifeBird]

Re: Windshield Trim

My windshield was changed out yesterday. The tech came to my house and did the job in less than two hours. There were no problems whatsoever.

[5bird7]

Re: Windshield Trim

That's the way it should be. Less than 2 hours. One of the other members posted some photos yesterday of what it takes to remove the windshield trim.

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...ad.php?t=28899