What has been your experience?

I've got a rust spot at the bottom of the frame that needs some attention, but first the windshield needs to come out.

 

Do you feel lucky?

 

Its a gamble.

Just be prepared to buy a windshield.

 

I witnessed a windshield replacement on my little Miata and I'd say if you find a good guy there is no chance of breaking it. FWIW, I used Apple glass if you have a reason to come to Houston.

 

Best/cheapest source for a new windshield, just in case?

 

5 years ago I used a great guy to repair a rust bubble by my windshield. He got the windshield out and back in (with a new OE seal) without breaking it. YYMV

Marc

 

Our windshields are not glued in, correct?

 

I've just had mine replaced because I decided it was so peppered by stones that it was time to have a new one. Luckily, a Rennlister close by (964Russ) fits them for a living so the old one did not break. It was only when it was out that I realized how rugged they are. It was also only when it was out that we found the rust underneath that had to be fixed before the new one went back in!

 

you'll have better luck if you can locate an old school [is good with the rope] glass installer, AND get a new OEM rubber seal. Cut the old seal away before removing to reduce the risk of breakage. have the new glass sourced before you remove the old. have the experienced installer re-instal the glass.

Good luck!

 

Chances are like stated probably is not going to break, but as soon as you count on it not breaking it will.

I have seen many w/s pulled but it's alway the expensive one or the one they are trying extra hard to save.

Sometimes it depends on if it factory or someone had put a windshield previously and screwed it up.

You do want to replace it with a OE or OEM glass if it happens to break.

You will also want to replace the seal for sure and then there is a molding depeding on what condition it is in you may elect to replace that as well. They are not terribly expensive.

 

Removal/install of front and rear glass is only thing I will not do on my car...a pro can do it faster and better

Considering the job that the seal is doing and the fact that the seal is not all that expensive it makes no sense to use the old one...especially 20 years old!

 

I've heard that if you cut the seal around (not just a section) but basically all around comes out without any issues..

 

Not only is the windshield glued into place, but the installer needs to clean AND primer the cowling. No matter how careful, they WILL cut into the paint. Make sure they follow the instructions from Porsche to the letter (you can find them HERE). If your insurance company is not willing to spend the extra $150 for a new OE seal, primer, etc. make absolutely sure they note in your file that your request to follow the OE repair procedure was denied. The note will come in very handy 3-4 years from now when they initially reject your claim for a rust repair. (it will end up costing them $1-2k.) If the installer is not willing to follow Porsche's instructions then find another installer. It doesn't matter how experienced the guy may claim to be (the glass guys that the dealerships farm out to, can be some of the worst offenders). Good luck and hopefully you won't end up like the (literally) thousands of other Porsche 964 & 993 owners...

 

I'm pulling the windshield to fix a rust issue, so any paint damage that occurs during the removal will be repaired prior to reinstallation of the windshield.

I'm trying to avoid a $700 windshield replacement bill on top of the $1k+ paint & body rust repair job.

 

I had printed those instructions out for the guy who did mine - he was very grateful and careful to follow the instructions to the letter.

Marc