Author Topic: Windshield Help  (Read 9367 times)

Chuck DuFault

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Windshield Help
« on: September 15, 2009, 06:31:10 AM »
Conrad and Millie are BAC members with a problem and asked me via facebook to help.  I directed them to our forum's website, but am unsure if she will be able to make the connection here.

Millie Clementson: Hi Chuck, if you are on facebook maybe you have an idea for us. the windshield in the 02 marquis has popped out about 2 inches, the frame was cut to small when manufactured, anyway the windshield has cracked. We would like to have it repaired properly. any advice?

If she has trouble, we'll be more than happy to help pass information to them, but also feel free to contact them directly.  I think they are in Montana, up north by the boarder.

Mobile Number:425 501-4036,
milliec45@gmail.com

LEAH DRAPER

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Re: Windshield Help
« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2009, 01:56:56 PM »
I would definitely recommend them taking the coach to BEND SERVICE CENTER in Bend, OR.  I had a '99 Patriot Thunder with a similar problem of hole to small and fixed it.  One can't beat their expertise having been part of the "old" Beaver factory.  I would hesitate to just let any windshield shop mess with it.  (My opionion).

Gerald Farris

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Re: Windshield Help
« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2009, 02:31:00 PM »
The problem of a windshield popping out of the gasket (seal) and cracking is usually caused by body twist from over use of leveling jacks to level the coach on a very unlevel site.

You should never have the windshield opening recut unless it has been checked by someone with expertice in the problem, like Beaver Coach Sales. You can spend a lot of money and end up with a bigger problem. If the windshield was ok for eight years there is a very good chance that all that is needed is a windshield and possiable a new gasket.

Gerald  

Richard And Babs Ames

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Re: Windshield Help
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2009, 02:36:35 PM »
My insurance company directed me to http://rvglassexperts.com/ for a windshield fix a few yers ago. They are a national network that works like Lynx for atuo windshields and glass.

Chuck DuFault

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Re: Windshield Help
« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2009, 03:02:53 PM »
Thank you all - I just forwarded on your replies.

Millie
I don’t know how well this is going to work – but here goes.  What I have done is transferred your request to the BAC Forum (lot more brain power than I have) for help.  I sent the request last night at midnight, and have cut and pasted their answers (so far) this morning at 9:00 am.  (Aren’t these guys wonderful?)  I will keep monitoring for additional comments.
One thing we need to do, is get you and Conrad onto the forum because it is so valuable.
Hugs

Chuck and Donna

Richard And Babs Ames

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Re: Windshield Help
« Reply #5 on: September 15, 2009, 03:40:56 PM »
One note about windshield like mine and a lot of Beavers is that they float in a rubber gasket and the gasket can move arround some as they are only have adhesive on top (in our case). I went to a local glass shop and got a couple of nylon "pics" that are a tool used to set the rubber gasket arround the glass and fiberglass frame. They are great for minor adjustment to the windshield gasket to fiberglass seal and easy to use.

Joel Ashley

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Re: Windshield Help
« Reply #6 on: September 15, 2009, 08:55:22 PM »
Our windshield cracked over the '06 - '07 winter while the rig was just parked by our house.  Showed up all of a sudden and the cracks multiplied and got longer as time passed.  Called Harrisburg and best they could do was get us in 2 months out.  This on a brand new coach, no less.  The left rear leaked air (still does!) and sags, putting a twist in the body.  On the way to Harrisburg for the fix, all the while worried the windshield would blow out on me, and making the buscuit burner drive the toad seperate (so she wouldn't be seated in the copilot's seat behind the badly cracked area), we blew a coolant hose instead.  What a fun day (and rainy night)!  I remember the poor tow truck driver crawling under the rig on the wet pavement, while he held my cell phone to one ear as Loren (at the Bend Service Center) talked him through removing the drive shaft correctly.

Harrisburg said that even with the body twist, a properly placed glass should be okay.  Turned out the glass wasn't mounted right at the factory.  However, I noticed a gape in the gasket last year over the driver's corner, where it flares a bit away from the front cap at the curve.  Bend Service Center looked at it, but wasn't concerned other than adding some sealant of some kind.  One rainy day this spring I went in the rig and found water dripping from the overhead above the driver's dash.  Repositioning the coach angle with the air leveler stopped it, but checking outside I see the gap is there and the likely culprit.  

Letting all bag air out when parked a long time is all I can do here to fight twist, other than try to keep our parking spot relatively level, side to side.  But now too level of a coach increases the leaking, apparently.  Frustrating, and I still worry the windshield will crack again, but not under warranty this time, and our insurance is high deductible.  The one piece unit is expensive to replace, and seems to be a real problem child.  Will have Bend look at it again more closely the next time through.  :o

Would recommend Millie head for Bend, also.  I agree with Gerald - I've read horror stories (when I was researching our cracked windshield) of people having shops recommend a bigger opening only to end up with a bigger problem instead.  Given their supposed location in Montana, a few hundred miles southwest could put them in the best qualified hands at Bend, as Leah and Gerald testified.
« Last Edit: September 15, 2009, 09:05:57 PM by 77 »
Joel and Lee Rae Ashley
Clackamas, Oregon
36.9 ft. 2006 Monterey Ventura IV, aka"Monty Rae"
C9 400HP Cat

Chuck DuFault

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Re: Windshield Help
« Reply #7 on: September 17, 2009, 03:55:35 AM »
Thank you folks for helping a fellow BAC member via a tag-team.  They appreciate your expertise, and from their response below they have taken your advice.

[[size=14][face=Arial]My internet has been down.  We have a appointment at Bend service center on Oct. 5  thank you for all the info.  greatly appreciated.  conrad and Millie[/face][/size]

Hugs

Chuck and Donna