[Jack21]

How not to install a windshield in a Cobra.

Well, I wanted a tinted glass windshield, so I took the original out, sold it, and bought replacement from aforementioned cobraspares. They back these things relly well, buy the way.

What I should have done was take glass and frame to a windshield shop for mounting. This part is not as easy as it looks. But you're right, once the glass is in the frame, it's pretty easy with two people.

Shall I share my stupidity at this point? Friend of mine suggested black RTV instead of the rubber gasket. Couldn't seem to get the frame to tighten up. The RTV doesn't protect the glass all the way around and where glass touches metal, the glass is crack prone. Actually, this was crack #2.

Stupider yet. I was chasing the visor threads with a tap to clean out the RTV, and nicked the glass. And that's where it cracked as soon as the car began being driven and the windshield began normal vibrations. But it passed inspection, so screw it. I should have installed screws into the threaded holes I did not want to fill with RTV.

Now I'm being told almost daily by people who see the car, "Hey, did you know your windshield is cracked?" So I replaced it with a complete new package. And there was enough difference between the old frame, and the new frame that I couldn't just swap the glass in frame. But yes, I added shims behind the arms so as not to stress the glass in the frame.

3 days after I get this done, a construction truck nails me with a rock and leaves me with a nice star crack near the rear view mirror. It, like paint chips, is the cost of driving the car in everyday traffic. Auto stores sell these star crack kits. Or, perhaps I'll just take it to a windshield shop and let them do it.