Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Topic: Grand Villa Windshield Woes... (Read 3266 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #25 – April 14, 2018, 08:43:41 am

Fritz, did you notice that when the bumpers disappeared, so did the handles and the access doors?
I use the handles to get up on the bumper, also.

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #26 – April 14, 2018, 09:27:50 am

Still suffering windshield woe's.... Turned it in to Progressive who turned it over to Duncan Systems. Duncan started out the gate swinging!! New windshield ordered right away. I told them who I wanted to do the install. China Grove Coach and Glass.
I got a tracking number and followed it , Tracking said delivery delayed by consignee. I called China Grove Coach and they said Duncan did not want to pay them what they charge for a glass replacement. They would only pay 350.00 He said these windshield they charge 375.00 because they sometimes have to reseat the other side. He said he told them not to deliver the windshield if they did not want to pay his price. I'm on his side with that. I'm like WTF!!! Ill pay the additional 25.00. I called Duncan and talked to my rep there who told me last Friday, Let me call them and I'll call you right back. I still have not gotten that call back from Duncan. I called China Grove and They got a E-mail approving the 375.00 charge. But Duncan did not know where the windshield had gone too.... Sooooo We Wait...smdh ....Duncan's customer service and communication STINKS!!!!!! Phone calls Monday, stump is getting ready to rattle the cage door!!!

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #27 – August 02, 2018, 01:27:03 pm

After replacing the seal and both windshield of my 88 Grand Villa I have had problems with the glass shifting anytime I got on unleveled ground. I had thought that the problem was a result of the top shifting, but after reading the input here that my thinking was 180 out and that it is more the lower half. After replacing the floor covering I found the plywood was in good shape in the front and that the grab handles had been added some time in the past. But today reading that I need to check the plywood deck on the dash. I found that the center section was gone/damaged. It seems that the blocks that the grab handles were attached to were only glued/caulked to the dash. I think while it is apart that I may build an angle iron frame to help stiffen the front to mount the plywood deck to. That and the use of marine plywood as it is waterproof and much strong due to the amount of laminates used versus treated plywood. Had I not read this discussion I would not have found this out as both the underside and top side of this plywood were hidden and would not have been found under a general inspection. Thanks for the wisdom, just have to lookup new defrosters and vent pieces.

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #28 – August 02, 2018, 01:32:41 pm

A good reason to use a stepladder rather than the handles to clean the windshield and add 303 rubber cleaner/sealer to the gaskets.

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #29 – August 02, 2018, 01:36:37 pm

For what it is worth--when our 1989 GV is parked and not being used I retract the front jacks and let the front of the coach sit on the tires. Granted, there are 4" high ramps supporting the wheels but the coach is sitting almost dead level according to the level indicators. The rear jacks are down just enough to steady the coach.
No torquing stress on the front end to subject the plywood bond.

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #30 – August 02, 2018, 03:36:30 pm

This unit has the air suspension to adjust and leveling the unit and yes after time it does leak down, but it has an small air compressor in the hold that would maintain the level if I turned it on.
Did remove the dash plywood today and found quite a mess. To say some one used at least 6 tubes of RTV would be an understatement. the first 3-4 inches of the plywood's bottom was coated in it. The gap which varied from an 1/8 to over 1/2 inch was filled with RTV. The blocks for the handles are attached using RTV and the it was used to join the dash deck to the blocks. RTV is too flexible to be used to maintain the needed rigidity needed to keep the lower front from flexing. I am considering using either fiberglass resin or body putty to fill any voids after the new deck is installed. Also going to install new blocks for the grab handles and run them from the window washer spray to the center-some 26 inches each side and attach the deck to each. I have included a picture of the removed deck-or what left of it

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #31 – August 02, 2018, 04:26:19 pm

Rick...what year is your coach??? Check my prior post for the repair I did on our U300. I used West System 610 and its held up great over the last 8K miles. Solid.!!

West System Six10 Epoxy - YouTube

Hans

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #32 – August 02, 2018, 06:37:28 pm

I also suggest the 3M 5200. It is what I used and dynamite wouldnt take it off! Been there for 4 years now.

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #33 – August 02, 2018, 07:26:10 pm

My GV is a 1988, 40 ft with a 3208 Cat. Was repainted by star/jets (that's another horror store as they didn't even clean the top of dirt, just sprayed over it) some years ago and the sticker just says Unihome. Tennessee title does not provide any other info either.

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #34 – August 02, 2018, 07:40:43 pm

I think that either the West System or 3M should fill the bill. I know that the RTV they used did nothing to help as it is way to flexible. Now the important question, will doing the dash deck change, making the mounts longer for the grab handles longer up to meeting at center point and using a screw attachment of the deck to handle mounting wood with the use of either system to fill the voids and bond the wood and fiberglass enough to control windshield movement.
I have considered running 1 inch angle on the back edge where this deck meets the rest of the dash and maybe triangulate addition pieces down the outside fender area and back up to the center of the first piece of angle iron. Since I have some 1 1/2 aluminum square tubing have also considered running a piece up from this angle to the curtain channel in the ceiling at each corner of the windshield, or is this a bit of over kill?

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #35 – August 02, 2018, 08:03:11 pm

The GVF body shell new was flexible new. Lots of windshield movement.

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #36 – August 02, 2018, 08:40:50 pm

My thoughts on the initial repair was to reinforce with struts etc.........but after looking at the original design and 25+ plus years of service decided to keep it simple (sort of) with modern adhesives .

K I S S principal.....

H

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #37 – August 02, 2018, 09:00:58 pm

Is this a problem on the ORED?

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #38 – August 02, 2018, 10:36:11 pm

Not as much, the rail is stiff

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #39 – August 09, 2018, 11:28:23 am

Someone /somewhere last week asked me if I had any electrical schematic for my rig. I have an electronic file containing the air, generator and 12v system along with other info. You can send me an email at pikewrench@epbfi.com for a copies

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #40 – August 09, 2018, 01:25:58 pm

Quote from: pikewrench – August 09, 2018, 11:28:23 am

Someone /somewhere last week asked me if I had any electrical schematic for my rig. I have an electronic file containing the air, generator and 12v system along with other info. You can send me an email at pikewrench@epbfi.com for a copies

Rick,

Go up to almost the top of our Forum's page and then to last item on the right which will be "Media," then go to Foretravel Library and look for schematics. If you don't see one that you have, please upload it. A late smart phone camera will do a good job of digitizing it and then you can upload.

Pierce

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #41 – August 30, 2018, 03:36:26 pm

I replaced the plywood on the dash against windshield after finding I could stick my hand thru it. The padded dash with the foam back is a poor design as the foam will hold water leaked by the windshield. After removing the pieces I started by adding a 1" piece of angle iron (took 2 pieces joined by a weld and two bolts in case of needed removal) across the top of front wall(see pic.), curving the ends to fit the contour of the fiberglass body. Next I put pieces on the inside leaving a space for the dash lid hinges. I used cabinet 3/4" plywood 6 ply. Measured the angle of the nose to the dash, cut and assembled the supports that glued to the nose with six10 adhesive. I ran the plywood supports to within 1 inch of the sprayers for the windows. these two pieces glued and screwed with a glue block(After the glue dried the nose pieces were supported on the ends and weight was added to get the piece to bow slightly to help with installation). Blocks were added under the ends of the angle iron, another block was added under each one (two blocks total because of the curved fiberglass did not allow for a big piece). The top took more than a dozen fit-ups before I got it where I wanted. Glued all plywood edges and the top of the angle iron with six10, screwed all joints that could take a screw. Found some Formica countertop that colored match at a local countertop shop, contact glued it down and than sealed all edges with six10. Did reuse the defroster and such as theses are no longer made. ABS pipe glue worked great to glue the one defroster plate I broke in half. The underside defroster housing I used six10 and screws on it.
Let the unit sit a week and moved it today thru an area that had caused me problems to begin with, had no noticeable windshield movement. Was considering adding 1 1/2" thin wall aluminum square tube from the curtain track area to the factory installed 2"angle iron on the front corners of the dash, but I think I will hold off on that for now.

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #42 – August 30, 2018, 04:48:32 pm

Great work Rick....!!

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #43 – August 31, 2018, 11:35:53 am

I would like to thank everyone for the information that was provided here. I probably would not have considered outer dash replacement in dealing with the shifting windshield. Learned that the six10 is great stuff, worked great on repairing the cracks on my tractor fenders. Chose the six10 over the 3M 5200 as the 3M product properties show it is flexible enough to allow movement. Time will only tell if this was a smart choice on my part.

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #44 – June 10, 2019, 02:18:08 pm

Hi all,
I Just read this thread Does any one have pictures of the grab handles on the front of the Grandvilla,
I tried the search thingy but it doesnt have any thing on it,
I made this frame up and welded and bolted it to the Bulkhead,
But the screen is still moving, I need to triangulate it to the front fibreglass under the windows and back to my frame,
I also need to put packers from the frame to the outside of my Coach, To lock that in position as well so it wont move,
Last time I drove it I thought the windows would fall out,
I also think a lot of my window problems were that the fitter who put my right side window in, Cut a peice of the top of it to make it fit, Did the wrong thing and being shorter allows the window to move,
I havent been doing anything with the coach as I have been very busy repairing my boat to put it back in the water,
But I have a new G/F and she wants to go away in the coach, So I will now get my coach going again,

Thanks, Brian,

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #45 – June 10, 2019, 02:34:26 pm

Using angles instead of square corners will yield a vastly stiffer" box". We should have the same or similar front frame section, Oshkosh. My nose is very solid at this point with a couple of angle iron rails running upwards. The grab handles dont seem to be attached to the structure. I will look again for better details.

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #46 – June 10, 2019, 02:49:57 pm

Quote from: Protech Racing – June 10, 2019, 02:34:26 pm

Using angles instead of square corners will yield a vastly stiffer" box". We should have the same or similar front frame section, Oshkosh. My nose is very solid at this point with a couple of angle iron rails running upwards. The grab handles dont seem to be attached to the structure. I will look again for better details.

Do you have any piccys of your angle iron rails running upwards,
Our coaches are the same, Mines a 1989 model,

Thaks, Brian,

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #47 – June 10, 2019, 04:18:39 pm

My rails are stock and square . I may add some angle rails .

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #48 – June 10, 2019, 06:19:22 pm

Here is a picture of my grab handles with my hand to give you idea of its size. I chose to only top the firewall with one inch angle sandwiching it between angle iron in front and back. Left out sections for the hinges. I had a center piece of plywood sticking out, but it did not go all away to the front. I took 3/4" cabinet grade plywood and ripped two pieces and got the angle of the front using an old carpenters angle finder. I ripped two more piece to go across the front all the way to the wiper motors. Transferred the angle to the top of the pieces and then let them sit with weights on them to bow them, took about a day using a backhoe bucket. Dry fit them to get the angle so the bow piece would mate up with the top. Cut, glued, added glue block, stapled pieces together, used waterproof titebond glue. Getting the right side in was tricky, ended cutting to much but added a filler. Six10 all of it together, added screws in the center pieces. You can see the ends of the handle bolt in the wood. Made a new plywood top from the same grade plywood. Made a template using 1/4 and then transferred. Took more than six tries to get the angle and contour right on the new top. Six10 and screwed it all together including the plywood edge to the fiberglass front. Probably could have eliminated the angle iron by gluing 10-12 inch strips on the firewall out to the Fiberglas front end on each side. The one picture shows the joint in the angle and where I ground the bolt flush

Re: Grand Villa Windshield Woes...

Reply #49 – June 10, 2019, 11:42:17 pm

Thank you peoples for the Piccys of your repairs, It makes it so much more easier for me to sort mine out,
I also had the problem that my dash was cut in half and reversed,
Plus there are no Grandvilla's here close to look at, And they have all been converted to right hand drive as well.
I just turned my coach around in my front yard and its still swaying side to side,
But I have a better idea now how to stiffen it all up,
Diagonal bracing from my firewall stiffener to the handles on the front, All my timber is still solid and no rot any where,
And stiffeners to the out side walls of the coach from my brace, As per Piccy, There is a gap there to the outside walls,
I will put a packer in there and that should make the sides of the coach rigid, Bottom of the Screen,
I will extend the timber in the centre to go out to the base of the screen, That will stop it moving in and out,
The centre line of the windows is near perfect,
I will make a brace up that goes behind the seats to stiffen the top cap up and walls from moving also,
I will be testing it all out before I put my new windscreens in, Just in case,

I do have Plan B, I am getting the curves made up in Boat windscreen Plastic, If I break a windscreen in future, I will only have the straight bit of the screen to replace, A steel insert between the two, plastic to glass,
I can get the straight glass any where here, But screens from the USA are 5.5 grand delivered, And the USA is the only place they make the grandvilla screens, They are unavailable here,

Any comments are quite welcome,

Thank you, Brian,

Affiliate Notice