----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 6:57
PM
Subject: Re: IML: 69 Windshield
Replacement
Hi John:
I am in the long process of replacing the vinyl roof on my 69 LeBaron 2
door. I was aware of some rust at the front of the roof, but did not think
that there was any around the window frame or anywhere else.
It turns out that there was quite a bit of rust around the front window
frame, especially at the trim clip screws and both A pillars were rusted out
near the top under the seam in the vinyl roof. Also, the factory body filler
at both seams at the top of the C pillars was somewhat flaky and too easy to
remove with some rust undernearth. I also had rust under the rear window
insert all the way across the back with several parts rusted through.
The trim clips screw into the window frame. You cannot get behind for
bolts. Just about every one of my clips was rusted beyond reuse with a
variable size rust hole asociated with each. I am surprised that the trim
did not come out by itself. Probably held on by rust
I would suggest doing what I did which is remove the roof and front and
rear windows and get out the grinder and remove all rust you can find. It is
not especially hard or time consuming since you are working with a relatively
small area. Get the right tools.
I used the epoxy type body fillers to fill everything around the front
window frame after a good metal prep. I think that these are easier to
use in this type of small area irregular application and better than "Bondo".
I know that steel is best followed by lead, but I think that this will work. I
re-bondoed the seams at the top of the C pillars and steel panelled and
bondoed the area under the rear insert.
Note that if you replace the vinyl roof you should remove the glass window
from the rear fiberglass insert. The vinyl roof goes on before the windows are
installed. This is probably a good idea anyway since it appears that a leak at
a bad seal in my back window led to the rust under the insert. There was some
headliner material caught in the rubber sealing of the back window at a bottom
corner, I am guessing from the
factory.
If you do not want to do the repairs yourself, you could at least do
the rust removal. This would take care of much of the work and remove
ambiguity about how much actually needed to be repaired when you take it to
the repair shop.
BTW: I have found some trim clips at the local General Store which I think
will work. I do not have any originals to compare them to! They are in a
"WeePack" and something like 6 or 8 for $2. It seems expensive for what they
are, but for these cars is actually incredible cheap.
Game 3 of the World series is on right now. I am rooting for St. Louis
These cars throw more curve balls than a World Series starter
Good luck
-----
Original Message -----
From: "john sadowski"
To:
mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: IML: 69 Windshield
Replacement
Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 14:13:46 -0700
Well, I thought I was going to get the windshield
replaced in my 69 today. Turns out, the glass shop ordered one for a 66
instead. They located a correct one in California & will have it here in
about a week.
The shop manager was a little
negative about replacing it due to the rust in the header. He says it will
leak & could fly out in an accident. He also said he would have to glue
the trim back on because of the rust. if I'm not mistaken, the clips bolt
through to the inside of the car & not slid into the metal lip & the
moldings press onto them? He is asking me to sign a waiver in case
anything like that happens. I would get the roof fixed if I knew of a
reliable shop here in the Phoenix area. I don't want to spend a fortune
& have it turn out poor.
John
Fred Joslin
