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I have a 1989 CMC Speedster and need to loosen the windshield to access and smooth out dash vinyl that has bubbled in spots from adhesive underneath giving way. If I do so to press the bubbled vinyl flat in the direction of the windshield and/or pull the vinyl from the hood side, I believe I can repair the dash. My concern is cracking the glass if I don't loosen it the correct way.

If I can loosen the centre rod, I believe I can smooth the area of vinyl that has bubbled but my concern is that to loosen only the Center rod, I wonder if I am increasing the chance of cracking if it remains fixed at the posts.

Can anyone with experience removing replacing or even installing a speedster windshield comment on my challenge please?...

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Loosen the windshield posts at each corner of the windshield as well. The bolts are usually 17mm head(metric 10mm thread) directly under each post under the dash. If you loosen all three(center post too) you should be able to wiggle the windsj=hield around a bit and fix your vinyl. 

Is it possible that water has gotten under your dash vinyl?

Thanks DannyP!...It is possible that water got in but I can't see anything other than vinyl that appears to have loosened and bubbled up. I am hoping I can find a way to get new adhesive under the bubbled vinyl to hold it in place and tighten the windshield back down to hold it in place.  Also, the vinyl around the dash vents have lifted as well and will require adhesive to Re-glue the vinyl back down...Thanks for your recommendation...Mike

The L & R post bolts and the mirror rod nut need to be equally loosed ( and later tightended) evenly. To get at the leading edge of the vinyl you'll have to completely remove the windshield, clean the vinyl to cowl area, blue tape the surface of the vinyl and painted surfaces. Then brush on a coat of 3M adhesive to both the vinyl and surface it will adhere to. The reassemble the windshield applying equal torque to the post bolts and mirror rod  BTW , snug and a bit more only is enough tension ) 

@mboyd posted:

Thanks DannyP!...It is possible that water got in but I can't see anything other than vinyl that appears to have loosened and bubbled up. I am hoping I can find a way to get new adhesive under the bubbled vinyl to hold it in place and tighten the windshield back down to hold it in place.  Also, the vinyl around the dash vents have lifted as well and will require adhesive to Re-glue the vinyl back down...Thanks for your recommendation...Mike

Depending on what adhesive they used, I imagine it could be heat from the sun causing some off-gassing from the adhesive. 

IMG_1123Recently I was under the dash re-doing wiring and looked up to the underside of the dash where the Center rod comes through from the top. The rod was quite lose which I hadn't noticed from the top of the dash along with the windshield. It was being held in place loosely with a couple of larger nuts used as spacers with a proper nut on the end. I could push up carefully on the windshield and the bottom edge of the glass came off the bottom trim exposing loose vinyl which as previously stated had bubbled. I decided to make a proper bracket to spread the load of a tightened Center windshield rod and decided to repair the bubbled vinyl at the same time. Building on the advice previous given above, I applied 3M Super 90 and glued the vinyl back down and tighten the Center rod with my newly fabricated support bracket depicted. The 2 small bolts coming through the dash are replacing 2 screws which are holding the male part of the dome fasteners on top the dash for the tonneau cover. The windshield is now solidly held. I will secure it further with lock washers.

 

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Last edited by mboyd

After raising the glass and rubber I saw what I believe is at least one reason for water leaking past the glass and bubbling the vinyl. In the photo attached there is a Chanel in the rubber which I think is supposed to sit on top of the base trim. It wasn't and I can see that water was running down the glass past the rubber and right into the aluminum trim and onto the vinyl. I need to check if there is a source to buy new rubber so I can remove the window entirely and re-mount it properly according to the advice provided by members. Until then, I can soon drive my Speedster.IMG_1121

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Last edited by mboyd

Sometimes I have to install the base rubber behind the aluminum. I run a bead of caulk before setting the rubber on the aluminum, I also tape off 1/8" space to run a bead of calk with my finger between the fiberglass cowl and the aluminum.  " Alex" Brand at ACE Hdw. is a latex black caulk when dry blends in with the rubber .

Last edited by Alan Merklin

Alan & Gordon, thank you for explaining the problem and describing the solution. I wondered whether my original installation was a one-off but likely not. My base rubber on either end seemed to be glued down so I couldn't even attempt to re-set the groove in the rubber on top of the trim. Knowing what you've explained, I would move to the solution Alan has described. Aesthetically, the dash (vinyl) looks good but the cause of the problem (the leak) is still there. Thank you!....Mike

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