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shanecl



Member Since: 20 Mar 2013
Location: Louth
Posts: 496

Ireland 1989 Defender 90 V8 Petrol CSW Auto Firenze Red
Windscreen removal - worth the risk ?
Hi folks,

currently deep in a full respray. Have the whole defender stripped into individual panels and mounted on dolly's. My question is the front windscreen, the seal is looking perished and be a bit crap looking with all the other new seals around the body. I am afraid of cracking the glass when re-installing as I've heard many a horror story. Its a heated windscreen and don't fancy replacing it. Is their any voodoo spells or old tricks to putting it back in successfully. Thanks

Shane
Post #859972 5th Oct 2020 6:47pm
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VVS210



Member Since: 12 Nov 2016
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 953

United Kingdom 
Just get your local glass fitters to do it for you - I don't mean autofarse or the like but a good independent or someone who fits plant glass & knows what they're doing with flat glass & old fashioned seals. One tip - get it done when the frame is fitted to the car & all bolted up.
Post #859973 5th Oct 2020 6:50pm
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markb110



Member Since: 22 May 2010
Location: Guildford
Posts: 2629

England 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Epsom Green
Is it worth talking to a local company to fit it for you and only charge the labour?
Post #859974 5th Oct 2020 6:51pm
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Pacha



Member Since: 23 Feb 2020
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 772

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey
Just done mine - being careful, it's no biggie TBH.

I followed this:-

https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic69812...windscreen Rgds.

Chris
Post #859975 5th Oct 2020 7:08pm
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Moneypit



Member Since: 27 Feb 2018
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 271

2004 Defender 110 300 Tdi HT Fuji White
Never broken one yet, i always cut the seal to remove it even if there's nothing wrong with it, new seals are cheap enough. Done plenty to cure water leaks.
Bottom in 1st then work your way up both side taking extra care with the corners
Post #859976 5th Oct 2020 7:10pm
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rallysteve



Member Since: 10 Feb 2014
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 2227

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Keswick Green
It is easier to refit once the screen frame is bolted back into the vehicle. Use plenty of washing up liquid and some para cord to refit.

One bit of advice though, watch how much paint you build up on the frame. The frame on my 90 had some original paint on then several good coats and it made the screen/seal a very tight fit.

Steve 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread
Post #859990 5th Oct 2020 8:01pm
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miker



Member Since: 13 Sep 2015
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1763

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Rioja Red
I did mine with a pair of helping hands from my dad, and we were both shocked when it went in in under 15 minutes on the first try. Baking hot day so the seal was nice and floppy, soaked the paracord in soapy water too.

Definitely worth just cutting off the old seal.
Post #860009 5th Oct 2020 10:26pm
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Will@LRW



Member Since: 04 May 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 178

 1997 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Alpine White
This is what happened with mine recently when a professional fitted it!

 LR Workshop
Find a Defender's history and spec: https://defender.lrworkshop.com
Post #860011 5th Oct 2020 10:37pm
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roel



Member Since: 08 Aug 2009
Location: Lelystad
Posts: 2039

Netherlands 2003 Defender 90 Td5 PU Caledonian Blue
Don't do it alone, it goes better if you are with 2 or even 3 people.

I heard from an independent that only does Land Rovers that 1 out off 10 cracks. The newer once even more then the old. Roel

1984 90 2.5 na Diesel - RR V8 (1994-2001)
1997 Camel Trophy Discovery 300TDI (2001-2009)
2005 G4 Discovery III 4.4 V8 (2008-2018) It's gone but it still hurts.
2003 90 Td5 (2009-now)
Post #860028 6th Oct 2020 7:40am
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v8bob



Member Since: 14 Mar 2018
Location: Midlands
Posts: 317

United Kingdom 1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Nato Green
NO NO - Don’t use washing up liquid!
It is full of salt to soften the water and make bubbles.
Using washing up liquid will make it corrode quicker than anything.
Post #860031 6th Oct 2020 7:56am
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4206

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
I need to do mine, been putting it off for over a year. I have a new genuine seal to use. I was thinking of getting a fitter to do it, but if they are just going to disclaim themselves and be just as likely to break it anyway I might as well save myself the £50

V8bob is right about the Fairy being full of salt, shouldn't be used anywhere near aluminium really. But that raises the question of what could be used. Silicone grease? Good with rubber, that has it's own issues with paint I understand. Red rubber grease? 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #860041 6th Oct 2020 9:17am
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AMBxx



Member Since: 24 Jul 2016
Location: York
Posts: 1031

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey
Wouldn't hand soap be a better option? My wife (an optician) recommends patients to use that to clean their glasses rather than washing up liquid as it's much gentler. Washing up liquid removes the fancy coatings they put on lenses.
Make your LR smell nice too!
Post #860045 6th Oct 2020 10:10am
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v8bob



Member Since: 14 Mar 2018
Location: Midlands
Posts: 317

United Kingdom 1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Nato Green
I did the front and rear screens on my 1952 Ford, both flat screens, using waxoyl and sash cord, probably 15 years ago, both seals still look like new. I can’t say for sure if it leaks or not as it hasn’t been out in the rain since I have owned it.
Many years ago, probably more than 30, I would use waxoyl for screens, wasn’t using new seals then either. Just carried on the habit. It’s good in that when painted on nice and slippy, when it dries it fills the gaps.

I haven’t used the more modern waxoyl, so can’t recommend it, nor do I know if it rots modern seals.

I think if I was concerned about the use of new waxoyl I would use vaseline.
Try not to look too weird when you go in the shop and ask for a extra large tub of vaseline for you and a mate to use at the weekend Whistle
Post #860047 6th Oct 2020 10:28am
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GREENI



Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10381

United Kingdom 
Anybody local to me in Staffs/South Cheshire, let me know if you need this type of work doing, I'll do it for a bottle of Sailor Jerry Thumbs Up

I've literally fitted thousands of pieces of glass to all types of vehicles Thumbs Up
Post #860050 6th Oct 2020 10:38am
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4206

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Green, if you are ever venturing to the other side of Manchester, I’d be interested. Thumbs Up 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #860158 6th Oct 2020 9:40pm
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