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Topic: Windshield install issues. (Read 552 times) previous topic - next topic

Windshield install issues.

Hello all,

I recently bought my first motorhome.  A 1983 Foretravel with the CAT 10.4 turbo diesel.  She was left without a windshield for some time with a flat driver side tire.  I installed the spare, figured out which cables go to the engine, installed a battery and drove her home.  I then found a glass shop to cut an exact copy of the broken one I lucky had. (I now learnt that I needed to replace the rubbers around the two windshield) But with the help of a friend we tried to install the windshields.  We quickly discovered that the front cap seems to have shifted.  I proceeded to put a large come along strap through the top of the coach in pulled her over the to drivers side with the aid of a tree. We then got the windshields to fit. But as I released the come along it seemed that it pushed the glass back out slowly. Now with no "H" rubber between the two windshields and old weather stripping we worked at it and got it once again back in perfectly again.  So a couple of things- 1. How do I get the air suspension to work?  2. Could this be the cause?  3. The windshield cracked and my glass guy told me that he would re-cut two new pieces and give me all of the rubbers I needed.  What is your advice please?  I am so glad I found this forum!
Thank you so much, I am very excited to get this thing back on the road. The engine and tranny seem to run like a clock.

Re: Windshield install issues.

Reply #1 –
Sitting with one flat tire will twist the coach over a fairly short period of time .    No chance of keeping the glass square  in the nose if it is twisted.
 Square the chassis  on a level area.  Bottle jack it if you need to .  Cant really think of where to measure for square tho. My body is 1/2 in lower on one side . Maybe set a level on the frame rails  in the nose . .Maybe the bumpers would be close enough .

  Uncover / un screw the cap seal trim piece and check for loose, shifted nose cap .  I rivited my front cap and the entire side trim peices on . Then screwed the trim back on.    I also injected urathane glue  in between the panels.
You should be able to get the nose back on square this way. Maybe use the glass as a jig as that is the really only  standard that must be met. 

 If the body has de- lammed from the foam , you can inject gorrilla glue  through a syringe from inside through the wood ,or from the outside through the panels. Works better if done as you rivit the body back together.  Make sure that you get the rivits done in short order after injecting the glue as the glue will expand and harden.     

Re: Windshield install issues.

Reply #2 –
The air bags start to fill as the air pressure passes around 60PSI.  Good chance that the bags are shot if the PSI gets to 60 quick and then stops .