Windshield center bracket or not?

[Grubby]

Bob,

Some ERAs have the windshield center bracket and some don't. Is it needed and does it do anything?

My guess is it is for looks only.

178 had it and my current car 755 doesn't. If I am missing a structural element I would want to add it.

John

[patrickt]

You mean this brace? Yes, your windscreen will come flying off if you don't have it. And for some reason the flash picked up every piece of dust on the cowl area. Time for the ol' California Duster....

[ERA Chas]

At 130MPH the center of the glass will raise 3/8" without it.

[patrickt]

... and if it does come off at 100+ MPH you're going to have a very bad day. Oh, those threads are Whitworth, too.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Grubby

Bob,

Some ERAs have the windshield center bracket and some don't. Is it needed and does it do anything?

My guess is it is for looks only.

178 had it and my current car 755 doesn't. If I am missing a structural element I would want to add it.

John

John - is this bracket (and tensioner) you're thinking of? This is CSX2259, but I've seen the same thing on pictures of ERA cars as well....
It's definitely not just for looks; it's a contributor



Cheers,
Glen

[DanEC]

I think it's the rod he is asking about.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by DanEC

I think it's the rod he is asking about.

The "tensor." Last I remember the consensus was that it kept the soft top from ripping your windshield up (and off). See: Windshield tensor bar? I don't know if anybody uses a brace and tensor, they would seem to do the same thing, but I never go above 60 with the top on anyway.

[carmine]

The rod in the middle of the windscreen is there to prevent the top from pulling on the windshield upper frame thus separating it from the glass
this happens at above 60 mph when the outside air pressure is higher than the inside cabin pressure or when side curtains are left off and air rushes in and creates exsesive kite like pressure on the top.
If this is allowed to happen without the center support rod in place the upper windshield frame pulls up off glass and creates a bowed pressure stress on the glass and eventually will crack the glass.

[ERA Chas]

John,
Forget the rod-that's not what you're asking about. It's ERA's bracket that Pat shows.
Get one from Bob.
Don't sheet-metal screw it to the cowl. If you use speed, it will slowly egg-shape the holes and pull out.
Mock the bracket in place using masking tape. Remove windshield. Using a long (at least 4" bit) drill two mounting holes in the cowl, straight through the second wall of the cowl. Then from below (the back side of the cowl) install 2 1/2" long (or longer if needed) hex machine screws which will protrude from the cowl. Trim them to be just tall enough for the bracket thickness and nylock nuts on top. Snug down the bracket.
If you just parade the car, snug the windshield frame legs into the chassis mounts and do without the bracket.
This is what I did with my early chassis car-don't know if the cowl structure changed in your later car. The glass is too thick there to just install nutcerts from the top so that's why I through-bolted it.

[D-CEL]

Yes! a long one....lol


(shameless self promotion)

[CHANMADD]

.My screen is lexan..........over 100.. the screen and frame flex a lot......at above 120 the windshield adjusts my rearview mirror to look in the ground behind the car......I ad previously cracked two glass screens.....I also would like to put the complete rod , from the top of the screen through the cowl ....

[phattyhales]

We don't do them on Kirkhams.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by phattyhales

We don't do them on Kirkhams.

Tensors, brackets, or both?

[phattyhales]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Tensors, brackets, or both?

The center bracket. Our windshields have long brackets that go down through the body and get bolted to the frame.

[1985 CCX]

My old CCX didn't use it either.....
I have a comp screen now, the FFR guys seem to crack their windshields when Cinching these down...

[Grubby]

I am asking about the ERA supplied bracket that Patrick showed.

My car has 12,000 miles without it and many with the top on at highway speeds. No issues noticed yet.

Since the bracket is sheet metal screwed to the fiberglass, I suspect it is for looks only.

I am leaning towards ordering one from Bob.

John

[strictlypersonl]

I thought we supplied that bracket with every kit...

It's supposed to be functional. I haven't noticed the windshield lifting at speed on any of our cars with it installed, but then again, every one that I've driven had it.

[patrickt]

John, if you have a heater, the method Chas. outlined will be tricky.... I'd like to know what Bob says about whether it's real or just for show.

[mickmate]

If you look at the marks the rubber seal makes on the cowl without one you'll see the center bracket stops the windshield pushing back.

[Grubby]

Thanks guys.

It sounds like the bracket has some function.

I'll call Bob later this week and order one.

John