1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Yes, but having a helper is recommended. The first windscreeen I changed was on my classic 900 - what a way to start, given that deep curve...I'd expect the flatter NG900 screen to be a lot easier.
OK, here goes:
There are two ways to get the old screen out: cut the rubber with a knife around the glass (requires a new seal - not cheap) OR - lift the lip at the top corner with a spatula and push the glass out from the inside, steadily easing more and more out past the bead. This requires quite some force applied dexterously, and at least two pairs of hands. The old screen *will* crack, since it's rather fragile in bending. Sit back in the seat and use your feet to push... Before installing the new screen ensure the rebate is clean, and the car is parked on flat hardstanding. You don't want the risk of the body opening being slightly twisted.
Getting the new screen in is nervy. It's a one-shot deal - you *must* get it right, or you're buying another. Take great care aligning the glass and trying it laid against the opening until you are sure you can visualise how it will progress and where you want to push and when. Make up a small bowl of 50% washing-up detergent and water and have a brush to hand. Get some stout cotton string and lay it into the bead in 2' lengths, starting on the lower edge of the screen centre.
The idea is to lube the seal and glass liberally with the detergent, sit the glass centrally in the bottom edge bead and lift that lip into place. Then, by gently pulling the string back on itself out toward the lower corners and following it with a plastic (soft) spatula, you ease the outer lip of the seal into place onto the outside of the glass. Work in short sections, balanced side-to-side - a little left, a little right. If the string just pulls free, use a soft plastic spaulaa or similar to ease more string into plac from inside the car.
Do not, on any account use metal tools to ease the seal past the glass - you'll notch the screen edge and that's where the crack will immediately start.
The screen must be absolutely central in the opening or you'll get no further than the lower corners. Once there, gently ease your way up the sides and to one top corner, but stop 12" short on the side. Work your way gently across the top.
The hardest part, and the most difficult is to finish that last top corner. You need to work very , very gently approaching it from both sides, and finally the last 6" will jump into place. This is when you will break it if you are not paying close attention, because there will be a point where the last corner sits on top of the seal while the other 80% is located in the seal in a different plane...
Two general observations:
1) New glass is more elastic than old. If you are using a salvaged screen, it will be more fragile in this respect.
2) I haven't checked if the NG900 screen is bonded-in. If it is, call a pro.
The first and only time I did this, it took a nervous 1.5hrs start to end, and the screen I used only cost me £25 from a scrapper. It got the car through the MOT (UK inspection) cheaply! BUT new screens are often fitted free, and if the installer breaks the new one -it's his problem. Would I do my own again? Probably not - but if you have the spare screen, it's certainly worth a go.
Good luck,let us know how it goes....
F.
posted by 80.189.17...
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