993 Windscreen Replacement
993 Windscreen Replacement
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Discussion

RaeB

Original Poster:

552 posts

245 months

Monday 24th September 2007
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When I got home on Saturday, found a 5 inch crack in the windscreen of the 993. Rang the insurance company and have RAC coming on Thursday to fit a new screen.

I seem to recall that the 993 screens have a history of creaking if not done properly.

Any advice/tales of woe/tales of joy that you would like to share? Then I can talk to the fitter with some knowledge, otherwise he'll just figure I'm a dumb women and can barely work out one end of the car from the other!

Pickled Piper

6,452 posts

266 months

Monday 24th September 2007
quotequote all
Yes lots written about this. Make sure fitter knows that he will have to remove one of the clocks (speedo I think) in order to disconnect the radio aerial. Also, the fitter can cause potential corrosion issues by carelessly cutting away the old windscreen and removing paint at the same time.

It's a bit hit and miss. I had one changed by a Porsche independent, they called in a man who was apparently the "expert". The windscreen squeaked continually afterwards. Just had it refitted by a Porshe bodyshop and all silent now.

Personally, I would phone them and tell them to make sure they send their best and most experienced man. Alternatively, if you are not already committed and your insurance will let you do it, take it to a Porsche approved bodyshop.

good luck

pp

RaeB

Original Poster:

552 posts

245 months

Monday 24th September 2007
quotequote all
That does explain why the radio has never worked since I got the car (the windscreen was replaced the week before I collected it). I'd rather listen to the engine, so have never bothered to sort it out!

Thanks for the comments PP.

phelix

4,683 posts

280 months

Monday 24th September 2007
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I think getting it centred in the opening is both important and not easy. Most fitters can't be bothered and hence the future squeaks.

Windscreens seem to be of poorer quality these days; check that there's no distortion in your line of sight before the fitter leaves.

I would suggest making sure the car is v clean when they start work - that way any damage is apparent. Some time ago I had Autoglass fit a new screen to my BMW. The car was squeaky clean but he still wrote on the work order that the car was dirty. That seem to be their way of getting out of any scratches. He was rather sheepish when challenged.

Paracetamol

4,267 posts

275 months

Monday 24th September 2007
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Dont let them do it on site. Take the car to their workshop. Be prepared to leave it a day or two and ensure that you ask for their best fitter. Personally, I'd never use autoglass EVER again..but it is all branch specfic. If you live near tower bridge in London then I can recommend the RAC branch there.

RaeB

Original Poster:

552 posts

245 months

Monday 24th September 2007
quotequote all
The car is very clean at the moment and I'll be taking photos before they start the work on Thursday. It's my P&J and there is no way that they will get away with damaging it. Take deep breaths, calm down and stop thinking the worst.

LanCat

423 posts

239 months

Monday 24th September 2007
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Autoglass did mine a couple of weeks ago. I agree it's probably down to the branch that does it but they did a great job on mine.

I took it along to them rather than have them come to me - assumed they'd have the best facility to do it there. Also make sure that the car sits for an hour or so after they've finished so that the seal goes off fully, especially if it's a bit cold where they do the work. Mine hasn't squeaked so far.

Good luck!

Paracetamol

4,267 posts

275 months

Monday 24th September 2007
quotequote all
LanCat said:
Autoglass did mine a couple of weeks ago. I agree it's probably down to the branch that does it but they did a great job on mine.

I took it along to them rather than have them come to me - assumed they'd have the best facility to do it there. Also make sure that the car sits for an hour or so after they've finished so that the seal goes off fully, especially if it's a bit cold where they do the work. Mine hasn't squeaked so far.

Good luck!
Had them do my 968 a few years back. AG replaced the front screen at their workshop and called to say it was ready. I drove out of their unit on an industrial estate and went over a speed hump. The top corner of the screen poppped out!! the seal hadnt gone off after 5 hours!!

Silver993tt

9,064 posts

270 months

Monday 24th September 2007
quotequote all
Paracetamol said:
LanCat said:
Autoglass did mine a couple of weeks ago. I agree it's probably down to the branch that does it but they did a great job on mine.

I took it along to them rather than have them come to me - assumed they'd have the best facility to do it there. Also make sure that the car sits for an hour or so after they've finished so that the seal goes off fully, especially if it's a bit cold where they do the work. Mine hasn't squeaked so far.

Good luck!
Had them do my 968 a few years back. AG replaced the front screen at their workshop and called to say it was ready. I drove out of their unit on an industrial estate and went over a speed hump. The top corner of the screen poppped out!! the seal hadnt gone off after 5 hours!!
I had my independent Porsche specialist fit my new screen (well, they brought in a windscreen specialist). They insisted that the car was kept overnight so that the bonding could be set properly. That must have been at least 18 hours without the car being moved at all after the screen was fitted.

wildoliver

9,322 posts

247 months

Monday 24th September 2007
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Few words of advice.

If RHD remove the clock yourself you will be a lot more careful than the fitter, if LHD remove the dash top yourself again you will do the job better yourself.

Clean your car beforehand so you can spot any damage easily.

Cover your seats with some cloths.

Make sure the radio works afterwards, and check the screen for blemishes, check the seal is straight, and check everything is as it should be.

Watch him like a hawk when taking out the screen, and when it is out check the frame, especially the panel join as he will probably have taken the paint off, either paint over the bare metal or at least get some gunk spread over it, this is how the corrosion starts.

If he does make a mistake complain.

I know that all sounds so anally retentive, but it is important.

Oliver

Boo152

979 posts

230 months

Monday 24th September 2007
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Had my 993 screen done about a year ago.

Autoglass did it, BUT they made a right pigs breakfast of it 1st time round, didnt centre it properly and then filled the gap left with Gunk that could be seen inside the car, so I insisted they re-do it.

Its also worthwhile checking yourself by peeling the rubbers back all round BEFORE its changed to see if there is any rust from previous changes (usualy caused when the fitter/remover nicks the paint work with a knife).

If there is any damage or rust on the edges you will need it repairing, proofing, and re-painting first before the new screen goes in.

Then you will need to insist that you check the paintwork again both before they fit the new screen, then after they fit the screen but before they put the rubber back on to make sure they havent damaged the fresh paintwork again!

I had to do all of the above and it took about 2 weeks to ensure my P&G was done properly!

James Shunt

14 posts

257 months

Tuesday 25th September 2007
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Agreed re. the possibility of rust you can't see until the screen is out. If you have had bubbling there for a few years there is a chance you'll have rust holes underneath.

If there is a biggish hole, you'll want a proper body shop to repair it and weld in a new piece of metal while the screen is out... but you can't drive the car while the screen is out, and you can't refit the cracked screen to drive the car from the windscreen place to the body shop legally.

You then have two awkward possiblities: either the body shop has to visit the screen fitter (do they carry portable welding gear?!?!) or you have to truck the car without windscreen to the body shop and back (can be expensive and what if it rains?)

Most insurance-compliant windscreen centres are not next door to respectable body shops... so hope that there is no rust problem.

James

sleep envy

62,260 posts

280 months

Tuesday 25th September 2007
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speak to glassman

he did an excellent job on Mrs Envy's car

Edited by sleep envy on Tuesday 25th September 17:25