Replacing cracked windscreen

Everything that doesn't belong in the previous categories probably belongs here. Interiour (how are the seats mounted? how to remove the CEM?) and exteriour (how to replace the popup-lights shock absorbers or a door) are discussed here!

Moderators: jifflemon, coyote1980, Rachel

Post Reply
Edmundpwb2
Started learning about 480
Posts: 59
Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2020 11:17 pm

Replacing cracked windscreen

Post by Edmundpwb2 » Sun Jan 24, 2021 10:53 am

I have quite a large crack across my windscreen. Looking out from the drivers seat it is over to the right so not exactly in drivers view but just falls within the wipers sweep. Not quite sure how it made it through the Mot last time unless it has enlarged since.
My question is about the best way to replace the windscreen. Should I source a spare windscreen and get someone to fit or just to claim through insurance?Bearing in mind I will need to rust treat the underside as there is a little bit of rust appearing in one corner behind the rubber seal.

Alan 480
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1489
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 9:03 am
Location: Aberdeen

Re: Replacing cracked windscreen

Post by Alan 480 » Sun Jan 24, 2021 11:48 am

Edmundpwb2 wrote:
Sun Jan 24, 2021 10:53 am
I have quite a large crack across my windscreen. Looking out from the drivers seat it is over to the right so not exactly in drivers view but just falls within the wipers sweep. Not quite sure how it made it through the Mot last time unless it has enlarged since.
My question is about the best way to replace the windscreen. Should I source a spare windscreen and get someone to fit or just to claim through insurance?Bearing in mind I will need to rust treat the underside as there is a little bit of rust appearing in one corner behind the rubber seal.
I did mine via insurance, the guys were very good, arrived one day to remove old screen, came back a few days later to fit new one!!!

in between attacke dthe rusty area (top edge) with angle grinder, wire brush, inhibitor, paint etc.

mine was from top edge though....

if in swept view then yes that is a fail, not sure if you could fit a shorter blade so it wasn't ? :wink:

but there is 300mm wide defined area centered on the steering wheel, so maybe still a fail...
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

Martin Mc
480 Rookie
Posts: 457
Joined: Tue May 29, 2012 11:57 am

Re: Replacing cracked windscreen

Post by Martin Mc » Sun Jan 24, 2021 2:35 pm

Done this a couple of times in recent years - it is worth checking out specialist local suppliers, who are more often than not willing to order one in and fit it carefully than the national chains.

From memory it was around a couple of hundred pounds, but well spent!

Good luck!

Martin
1991 ES White / 1995 ES Red / 1995 ES Red / 1994 S Black / 1995 Celebration Red / 1994 S Paris Blue / 1995 Celebration (again!) Red - Currently free of all extramarital cars, wrench-loose and fancy free :)

jifflemon
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2464
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 11:03 am

Re: Replacing cracked windscreen

Post by jifflemon » Sun Jan 24, 2021 6:28 pm

Just under £400 if you pay yourself.

Which ever route you choose, as they’ll probably have to order one in, it’s worth checking with the fitter if they can remove first, then order then refit once its arrived, giving you time to effect a repair.

User avatar
Murf
Friend of Club 480 Europe
Posts: 4600
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2003 12:45 am
Location: Inverness
Contact:

Re: Replacing cracked windscreen

Post by Murf » Sun Jan 24, 2021 10:11 pm

I had a local fitter replace mine, was £220 Inc vat.

Not worth the hassle of a 2nd hand one 😁
Kia Pro'ceed GT 1.6 Turbo
1992 480 Turbo
2007 Focus ST

Martin Mc
480 Rookie
Posts: 457
Joined: Tue May 29, 2012 11:57 am

Re: Replacing cracked windscreen

Post by Martin Mc » Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:45 pm

Murf wrote:
Sun Jan 24, 2021 10:11 pm
I had a local fitter replace mine, was £220 Inc vat.

Not worth the hassle of a 2nd hand one 😁
Yes, that was around what I paid, both times I think. It wouldn't have got done if it had been much north of that, and I'd have baulked at £400 ;)
1991 ES White / 1995 ES Red / 1995 ES Red / 1994 S Black / 1995 Celebration Red / 1994 S Paris Blue / 1995 Celebration (again!) Red - Currently free of all extramarital cars, wrench-loose and fancy free :)

User avatar
edie_fox
480 Rookie
Posts: 415
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2005 9:05 pm
Location: Lincolnshire

Re: Replacing cracked windscreen

Post by edie_fox » Mon Jan 25, 2021 10:43 pm

I was recently getting screen quotes as mine has numerous minute chips.

I know one was about £300, maybe less and one was well over £400. The reasoning the expensive one gave me was not to be fooled by cheap imported screens with little or no warranty.

Just a thought to ask when enquiring. :D

Alan 480
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1489
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 9:03 am
Location: Aberdeen

Re: Replacing cracked windscreen

Post by Alan 480 » Tue Jan 26, 2021 8:10 pm

edie_fox wrote:
Mon Jan 25, 2021 10:43 pm
I was recently getting screen quotes as mine has numerous minute chips.

I know one was about £300, maybe less and one was well over £400. The reasoning the expensive one gave me was not to be fooled by cheap imported screens with little or no warranty.

Just a thought to ask when enquiring. :D
£60 excess seems a better option? pretty sure mine is 'made in UK'!
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

Edmundpwb2
Started learning about 480
Posts: 59
Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2020 11:17 pm

Re: Replacing cracked windscreen

Post by Edmundpwb2 » Wed Jan 27, 2021 9:53 am

Thanks for replies all. I will try the insurance route then try get them to give me time between removal and the replacement so I can treet the rust spots. Will let you know how I get on.

jifflemon
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2464
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 11:03 am

Re: Replacing cracked windscreen

Post by jifflemon » Fri Jan 29, 2021 3:46 pm


User avatar
jamescarruthers
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2501
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:19 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: Replacing cracked windscreen

Post by jamescarruthers » Fri Jan 29, 2021 3:56 pm

jifflemon wrote:
Fri Jan 29, 2021 3:46 pm
Just spotted this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLVO-480-CO ... xyzi9SjlAi
Spoke to these guys when I was replacing mine. They were perfectly decent to deal with. I didn’t choose them because I got one supplied from a fitter and time was of the essence.
1987 Volvo 480 ES, 507274, 217 - Red (Ness)
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG
2008 Mini Cooper convertible (Mau)

Previous 480's:
J123 CFU -- ES
J449 MNL -- ES auto
D864 CPV -- ES
L691 JFC -- Turbo
F70 MNR -- ES
H858 FGV -- Turbo auto
E981 KHM -- ES (509849)

User avatar
dragonflyjewels
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1584
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:38 am
Location: Norfolk

Re: Replacing cracked windscreen

Post by dragonflyjewels » Fri Jan 29, 2021 8:14 pm

Thanks for replies all. I will try the insurance route then try get them to give me time between removal and the replacement so I can treet the rust spots. Will let you know how I get on.
Insurance companies are keen to have rust sorted as they know 6 months down the line untreated rust will break the new screen and cost them more money. The fitter may be less amenable, don't let them tell you there isn't any rust, check it for yourself. If you have a problem with an awkward one, speak to their office. They'll be keen to keep in with the insurance co.
Sylvia

Snazzy - 1993 Paris Blue ES red dipstick 2.0i bought 2001
Lethal Lily - 1991 White Turbo
Paris the Unicorn - 1991 Paris Edition
hubby has
Sven - 1994 Racing Green GT
Evil Eva - 1992 Paris Blue Turbo

no previous 480s - can't bear to sell any

User avatar
Jay-Kay-Em
480 Rookie
Posts: 428
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2012 10:42 pm
Location: Huntingdon
Contact:

Re: Replacing cracked windscreen

Post by Jay-Kay-Em » Thu Feb 11, 2021 10:36 am

Hi Edmund

I have been sourcing quotes for a "two-visit" approach. I am outside of insurance.

Visit one:

• Remove windscreen (and rear quarter glasses)
• Deliver new windscreen

Visit two.. (after windscreen frame rust removal and subsequent paintshop... could be September!)

• Refit side quarter glasses
• Install the windscreen previously delivered

I contacted the big four for quotes, two havent replied despite multiple calls. One didn't want to do non-insurance work and one quoted £580 :shock:

There was a one-man-band windscreen fitter local to me but he is in full covid lockdown mode.

Being boxed into a corner I have chosen Silver Shield of St. Ives.... £280 all in.

Word of warning.... this morning I have just witnessed a washer jet get snapped off! Another item for the unobtanium list!

The only positive from today is that I have in my possession a new, Pilkington front screen with blue top tint just like OE. I was told this was the only one left in all three warehouses that Silver Shield have access to.

I wish you all the best... and protect those washer jets!

JKM
Jay-Kay-Em
-------------------------------------
Click here for My 480 Turbo Diary
Click here for My Cars

Edmundpwb2
Started learning about 480
Posts: 59
Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2020 11:17 pm

Re: Replacing cracked windscreen

Post by Edmundpwb2 » Sun Feb 14, 2021 11:06 pm

Jay-Kay-Em wrote:
Thu Feb 11, 2021 10:36 am
Hi Edmund

I have been sourcing quotes for a "two-visit" approach. I am outside of insurance.

Visit one:

• Remove windscreen (and rear quarter glasses)
• Deliver new windscreen

Visit two.. (after windscreen frame rust removal and subsequent paintshop... could be September!)

• Refit side quarter glasses
• Install the windscreen previously delivered

I contacted the big four for quotes, two havent replied despite multiple calls. One didn't want to do non-insurance work and one quoted £580 :shock:

There was a one-man-band windscreen fitter local to me but he is in full covid lockdown mode.

Being boxed into a corner I have chosen Silver Shield of St. Ives.... £280 all in.

Word of warning.... this morning I have just witnessed a washer jet get snapped off! Another item for the unobtanium list!

The only positive from today is that I have in my possession a new, Pilkington front screen with blue top tint just like OE. I was told this was the only one left in all three warehouses that Silver Shield have access to.

I wish you all the best... and protect those washer jets!

JKM
Cheers for the info JKM. I will look to use insurance when weather is warmer. But hopefully can get the two stage windscreen replacement. Did your have much rust? How did you deal with it? Or did you literally take it into body/paint shop?

User avatar
Jay-Kay-Em
480 Rookie
Posts: 428
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2012 10:42 pm
Location: Huntingdon
Contact:

Re: Replacing cracked windscreen

Post by Jay-Kay-Em » Mon Feb 15, 2021 12:03 pm

Edmundpwb2 wrote:
Sun Feb 14, 2021 11:06 pm
Cheers for the info JKM. I will look to use insurance when weather is warmer. But hopefully can get the two stage windscreen replacement. Did your have much rust? How did you deal with it? Or did you literally take it into body/paint shop?
As has been a recurring theme with this car, yes, a lot of rust. So much so, it was the reason for the cracking. It wasn't a stone chip or such like, it was the swelling under the glass. Most people blame it on a screen replacement where someone has been careless cleaning the aperture... but no... it was a 1994 Volvo branded screen removed from a 1994 car. This situation is by design.

To be brutally honest i'm sick of chasing rust on this car and it has been so cold of late, my motivation to go into the garage has been low. But this week, my remedial action i'm sure will involve wire wheels, flappy discs, angle grinders... hopefully not the welder... and a selection of products from Bilt Hamber.

Ultimately yes, it is going to a paintshop for the respray - but all prep I do myself to keep the paintshop bill down.

It will be fully detailed in my next diary update hopefully in two weeks time (March 1st).
Jay-Kay-Em
-------------------------------------
Click here for My 480 Turbo Diary
Click here for My Cars

Alan 480
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1489
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 9:03 am
Location: Aberdeen

Re: Replacing cracked windscreen

Post by Alan 480 » Mon Feb 15, 2021 5:55 pm

Jay-Kay-Em wrote:
Mon Feb 15, 2021 12:03 pm

As has been a recurring theme with this car, yes, a lot of rust. So much so, it was the reason for the cracking. It wasn't a stone chip or such like, it was the swelling under the glass.
been there with TWO cars and on the first one (E reg) the screen cracked again a few months after I'd sold it, so on second car i made REALLY sure it was cleaned back to clean metal/fresh air.

I filled the fresh air with Isopon 'P40 chopped strand' variety and just filed it flat, reckoned that GRP cannot rust ?(also running Reliant) having liberally applied rust remover, not converter to the adjacent areas.

not saying I've fixed it but I have cleaned the area under the sealing strip very well and then carefully applied a continuous piece of black PVC tape from under the weather seal at one side all the way across to opposite side on top of the weather strip in the (vain?) hope that this will prevent the water getting under the seal. I know it is painted , but probably tiny areas where paint is thinner.....

can only try, time will tell
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

User avatar
Jay-Kay-Em
480 Rookie
Posts: 428
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2012 10:42 pm
Location: Huntingdon
Contact:

Re: Replacing cracked windscreen

Post by Jay-Kay-Em » Mon Feb 15, 2021 6:50 pm

Hi Alan,

I'm glad you mentioned the "P-word".

I have general rust all around the perimeter that will clean without drama, but there is one concentrated area up top that just encroaches into the roofline. There is no doubt when I clean it up this week, there will be a small hole, probably 7 - 10mm in diameter.

My roof panel is as straight as a die without even the slightest pin dent. Arguably the best panel on the car. I know what's going to happen when I introduce a welder anywhere near that... heat distortion that could easily generate an extra £500 in paintshop prep. That flat roof panel will never be flat again.

It's why I would favour a cold repair... and P40 is the top of my list... but it has a stigma about it and I didn't want to get ripped at the next update!

Considering the amount of fresh metal I have thrown at this car, perhaps I could get this 1x pass! :lol:
Jay-Kay-Em
-------------------------------------
Click here for My 480 Turbo Diary
Click here for My Cars

jifflemon
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 2464
Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 11:03 am

Re: Replacing cracked windscreen

Post by jifflemon » Mon Feb 15, 2021 10:20 pm

Jay-Kay-Em wrote:
Mon Feb 15, 2021 6:50 pm
It's why I would favour a cold repair... and P40 is the top of my list... but it has a stigma about it and I didn't want to get ripped at the next update!

Considering the amount of fresh metal I have thrown at this car, perhaps I could get this 1x pass! :lol:
we're watching........ :rofl:

What are you using for rust removal? I've got an Air powered MBX tool that's very effective at removing rust/filler/paint, whilst being gentle on the metal beneath.

Post Reply