Runamuck Bus

[Runamuck Bus]

I tried again this weekend (Friday) to have the windshield installed. This time, hired the professionals. Van showed up around 9am. The installer seemed confident and experienced and immediately got set up and ready to install. He was a one man show and said he wasn't going to need any help. 'These things pop right in'. About a hour later he explained that my bus must have been in an accident at one time cause the corner of the glass was bowed out from the frame. Pressing it in place would have broken the plate; Bill collected his things, packed up, and drove off to his next appointment. He mentioned that the Glass Company (who shall remain nameless, but I will say, they are based in the 3-Rivers area and they install Auto Glass) will contact me this week. Also, they may get different glass (PPG) or use a different rubber seal. I had purchased what I thought to be the top of the line, highest quuality, German Replacement seal. It's a stout piece of rubber, one piece, Cal-look. I had high hopes, but I'm a lillte bummed right now.
Does anybody have any insight on which rubber seals will work? I've seen a few, ranging for about $20 and up. Mostly Brazil or Germany,; most looked to be one solid loop piece.

[vw7266]

ive never heard of someone having so much trouble with a front window

[lurch]

didnt realize you were so far away you need to take it somewere they can polish the glass all companies screw the glass up almost to smite vw s most times i have to shave the corners to make them fit

[Josh]

Oh this sounds so familiar! I had the same problems, and heard the same excuses! I went through 2 glass companies and 7 windshields before they finally got it in. When they finally did get it in, (using Dan's methods) they said that my bus must have been in an accident because it should have just popped right in.

[lurch]

i will let you know a secret the whole acident excuse is just a lowsey excuse for them not bieng able to do it so they dont make themselves or thier product look bad if that were the case you would have more problems like water leaking in .you should have also made the comment to him asking were to get a windshield for your wrecked van because someone odviously makes one if there was one in thier before and it fit fine before he tried to put a quote good one in lol

[Howie]

Yep. Typical. If they can't find a solution, they blame the problem and invent excuses. I wish I could get away with that stuff at my job, but I can't, and I wouldn't, even if I could. When the time comes to replace my windshield gasket, I'm taking it to Dan's shop!

[lurch]

if its just a gasket i can save you some cash by doin it under thee table

[wwebner]

I doubt if your problem is the seal. Even the cheap ones do not cause problems with fit. There is is thread on the old forum that details Josh's problems getting a windsield in his bay.I would move it over here if I knew how.Kirk? I had the same prob with one in my shop and Dan and his boss had to grind it to fit.Once your installer realizes that
there is a problem with the replacement glass and accepts that that is the problem,they should be able to install it.
Bill

[Howie]

if its just a gasket i can save you some cash by doin it under thee table

Deal! We can hook that up during the Summer. Just tell me where to get the gasket from, and I'll get one.

[Runamuck Bus]

There is no denying that there is some windshield bodywork done on this bus:


While installing the '3-piece' metal replacements, I took care not to destroy the existing lip that is used to mount the seal to the vehicle. It is the original lip and the bus does not seem to have been in an accident; I dont see any 'new metal' or signs of major bodywork. The windshield that was removed was the original. I can set it in the frame and it lays in nicely.

3-Rivers Auto Glass was to call me on 05/04 or 05/05 to let me know of other options. When I finally called them on 05/06, they told me they had no intention of coming back; there was nothing more they were going to do.

I have another company coming tomorrow. I purchased a good seal, but they are going to bring their own with them too (just in case). I think that before we get started, I'm going to ask the installer to lay the glass into the frame (to see if it fits like the old one). I have been told that this is a 'Safelite' piece of glass.