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Regular
Location: Clovis, Ca | I am posting this for my dad, Jerry. He had the windshield professionally installed on his coach (#478) and after a few trips, it was working loose (could see daylight between the glass and the new gasket) and after going over a large bump, the windshield completely dislodged on the left side.
Questions:
1) Has anyone else had problems with the windshield coming loose?
2) For those who installed a windshield, did the installer use any mastic in the gasket?
3) Were there any modifications to the fiberglass that needed to be done before installing the gasket/windshield?
At this point we are planning on taking it to some local glass shops and ask for advice.
You input is greatly appreciated.
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Veteran
Location: Oslo Norway | Jerry
I’m sure several owners have experienced this problem on their coaches.
If you browse my gallery on #477 you can see the same thing happened to me after having installed a new set of windshields.
There was a factory upgrade to a wider windshield gasket due to some problems with windshields popping out (browse the yahoo forum for more information and stories on this). Even if my coach has this new style gasket my driver side windshield came loose. My coach has recently been stripped for a complete body rebuild, and the reason was easy to see when the windshields was taken out. On My coach the fiberglass headliner is so close to the edge of the opening for the windshield that the new wider gasket has only 2mm of “edge” in the upper drivers side corner. What we will do is cut a few millimeters of the headliner where it comes closest to the windshield allowing space for the gasket.
Also my coach is having some repairs done to the lower front corners where the aluminum is attached to the steel frame structure. There was also room for improvement where the fiberglass below the windshield is riveted to the aluminum structure, this part has been taken loose and will be straightened when reattaching.
I think it is also necessary to understand that there is no aluminum structure supporting the fiberglass close above the windshield and the whole construction is very flexible. If your aluminum sub structure or fiberglass bodywork is damaged, poorly repaired or week for any reason this will add to the problem.
You do not want to caulk or use any kind of glue on your gasket as this will not allow the windshields to move freely inside the gasket and the glass might crack from the movement that will always be in there single fiberglass laminate that the coach bodywork is made from.
Hope some of this might help you solve your problem.
Stay cool
Kjetil
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Regular
Location: Clovis, Ca | It sounds like just re-installing the windshield is what I should do.
It seems like there should be a way to make the winshield stay in its place. The gasket was purchased a couple years ago, so I assume it is an unpgraded (wider) one. |
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Veteran
Location: Oslo Norway | Jerry - 2008-01-31 8:13 PM
It sounds like just re-installing the windshield is what I should do.
It seems like there should be a way to make the winshield stay in its place. The gasket was purchased a couple years ago, so I assume it is an unpgraded (wider) one.
OK.... and you can always hope you will never hit a bump in the road again.
Kjetil
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Veteran
Location: Illinois | Jerr, etal -
The wider windshield moulding is offered only by MCR.
If the windshield moulding was purchased from MCR let me know for the only times we have had the windshield come out with the wider moulding - defect has been found in structure of coach.
We have never had to use sealant with the wider moulding and have not experienced leaks at moulding.
Most leaks at windshield are thru the clearance lights.
HAPPY TRAILS - Leslie & FMC #0938 |
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Regular
Location: Clovis, Ca | Thanks for the input. Yes, it seems like a wider gasket (moulding) would be just what the doctor ordered to keep it in place. We bought ours in Morgan Hill.
I am assuming any decent windshield shop should be able to do the work? |
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Veteran
Location: Illinois | Jerry -
Two more points.
If your FMC is an early model then it may not have the rod from top to bottom in the center. If not I can come up with an original center rod. This center rod keeps the upper cap from floating upward causing the windshields to fall inward.
Number two is some of the FMC Coaches did not have the windshield opening cutout properly. In fact you can still see the cutout line on the fiberglass.
Therefore if you hold up the winshield and mark the fiberglass you can cut the fiberglass so that there is proper space for the shield and moulding.
Best Wishes - Leslie
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Regular
Location: Clovis, Ca | Thanks, Leslie.
RVS installed a rod (about 3/8" dia.) from top to bottom in the center of the windshield. They also described similar fiberglass issues and said they would cut the fiberglass appropriately on our coach (№ 478).
What is the proper spacing (gap) between the glass and the fiberglass?
How much wider is your moulding than the factory one?
Will call soon to order. What is the price of the moulding? |
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Veteran
Location: Illinois | Jerry -
Approximately 3/8 inch wider.
Cut fiberglass so that you have 1/4 inch spacing.
Windshield moulding $142.40 plus shipping.
Leslie |
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Regular
Location: Clovis, Ca | Sounds good.
Is this something that any good glass shop should be able to install?
Is doing this ourselves a reasonable option?
Have a wedding coming up to prepare for, but after that will get back to the FMC...
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Winshield loose... Anyone else have this problem?
