Where can I find the rubber gasket for windshields?

[Turbo76]

My cousin drives an '85 900S and needs a new windshield. I work at the SAAB Dealership and they told me they can't get the rubber, so I just ordered the plastic that fits in the groove. Does anyone have a good source for the rubber surround on the front windshield?

Mark in Memphis

[Tomarse]

You can reuse the old one. Take the old screen out carefully or smash it to remove it so you dont damage the seal.

[woywitka]

The body shop who did my windscreen told me I got the very last one, it was ordered from Sweden, took them 2 weeks to find it and 3 weeks before it arrived. THe full 7 piece genuine Saab is no longer available . It looks really great installed. It ended up being one of the most expensive winscreen jobs ever, total cost of over $1,200. I just paid my $200 deductable, so doesn't matter to me he he.

Sorry.

[Turbo76]

Originally Posted by woywitka

The body shop who did my windscreen told me I got the very last one, it was ordered from Sweden, took them 2 weeks to find it and 3 weeks before it arrived. THe full 7 piece genuine Saab is no longer available . It looks really great installed. It ended up being one of the most expensive winscreen jobs ever, total cost of over $1,200. I just paid my $200 deductable, so doesn't matter to me he he.

Sorry.

He said that he wants a new one. What a dork. What is the best way to" carefully" take out the windshield?

Mark

[Jim Mesthene]

I've replaced dozens of windshields in old gaskets, once I put in a new (1 piece) gasket because the customer wanted it.
Tell the glass guy to slip his plastic spatula under the seal and lube (silicone, WD40, soapy water) the joint before removal. Then, when you push it out with your feet on the inside of the window, it will release and the gasket will stay in place.

[SteveTheFolkie]

Originally Posted by Turbo76

He said that he wants a new one. What a dork. What is the best way to" carefully" take out the windshield?

Mark

Mark - the best way to remove the windshield without messing up the rubber seal is with a hammer - note that if you smack from the outside IN you'll cover the inside of the car with bits of shattered glass - if you cover the hood and hit it from the inside towards the outside you'll still shatter the windshield BUT will have less of a chance to sit on cubes of glass (they do work their way out eventually - and no - don't ask how I know) .....

You're not trying to "he man and the masters of the universe" the windshield - you're just trying to break it "enough" so that it comes out easily - then you can carefully remove the rubber gasket from the windshield frame.

The old VW windshields were pretty simple to replace - I'm sure the Saabs are pretty much the same - carefully install gasket onto new windshield - place string (cord) in groove where the seal fits to the windshield frame - apply generous amounts of lube (soap works great) - center windshield and have someone gently push while you remove the string from inside - the whole shebang should pop into place with very little drama. Getting the trim clips back on can be another matter -

[Jim Mesthene]

Originally Posted by SteveTheFolkie

The old VW windshields were pretty simple to replace - I'm sure the Saabs are pretty much the same-

I've replaced many old VW windshields too. The string method, which works great for SAAB rear 1/4 glass also, won't work on a 900 windshield. The gasket has to stay with the body.
You can't mount the gasket on the glass because the windshield has so much curvature that the string can't stay in the groove with enough tension; it will just pull the gasket off the glass.
That same curvature will allow it to pop out without the use of a hammer.

[SteveTheFolkie]

live and learn - thanks Jim - I'll be replacing the windshield this spring (if the car survives the winter) - I'll file that information away!

[Matt88S]

Another one of Saabs safety features no doubt, if your head hits the windshield it just pops right out, no harm done, just put some ice on your head and pick up the windshield and pop it back in.

edit: As an interesting side note, a glassman once told me if you have any glass you want to get rid of, not safety glass, but regular glass, just hold it over the trash or dumpster and take a knife or similar tool and strike straight down on the edge of the glass, it will shatter into a million little pieces. Quite the nifty trick.

[woywitka]

Originally Posted by Matt88S

Another one of Saabs safety features no doubt, if your head hits the windshield it just pops right out, no harm done, just put some ice on your head and pick up the windshield and pop it back in.

-Wear your seatbelt Matt

[SteveTheFolkie]

Originally Posted by Matt88S

Another one of Saabs safety features no doubt, if your head hits the windshield it just pops right out, no harm done, just put some ice on your head and pick up the windshield and pop it back in.

- perhaps that's why the hood opens the way it does - hit something -hood flips forward - windshield pops out - gets caught by the (now crumbling and useless) foam egg-crate lining the inside of the hood - pop glass back - close hood - off you go!

The VW's touted the "fly away windshield" as a safety feature back in the 60s - but they didn't have the neat windshield catching hood design ....

[900t]

VW fly away windshield is great... if you get thrown from the car the windshield goes close behind to smack you in the butt

[Matthew]

Here's how to replace the windscreen:
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=32749