The Cutting Edge
new car installations


2010 Dodge Challenger
by Jamie Browning

REPORTS FROM THE FIELD:
Always wear eye, hand and wrist protection while working on the vehicle. Inform the vehicle owner of the cure time and any other additional precautions before installation. Always return the vehicle to manufacturer’s specifications. Protect all interior and exterior portions of the vehicle to prevent any damage.

1. GETTING STARTED:
For vehicle and glass preparation please refer to AGRSS/ANSI 002-2002 as well as your adhesive manufacturer’s recommendations. Inspect the windshield for defects and any contamination that may compromise the bonding of the adhesive. Also look for any distortion, scratches or defects on the glass or underside moulding.

If the vehicle is equipped with an electrochromic or telematic mirror, disconnect the negative battery cable. Unplug the wiring harness located on the back side of the mirror assembly and unscrew the T20 torx set screw holding the mirror assembly. Remove the nut covers on the wipers and the 15-mm nuts. Using a suitable puller, remove the wipers and set them aside, marking the drivers and passenger side for correct reinstallation. Remove the two push-style pins that secure them to the fender (these are located at the end of the cowl). Use a #2 Phillips screwdriver to turn the two plastic screws located at the top of the cowl 90 degrees to the left, being careful not to strip them. Remove the six push-style pins that secure the cowl (located along the strut tower brace) and place the cowl in a safe location.

2. REMOVING THE WINDSHIELD:
For the sides and top of the windshield, a cold knife or power tool can be used as well as wire. For the bottom, a power tool or wire can be used, but the hood does not allow for the use of a cold knife along the bottom. Keep in mind that there is not one correct method of removal; the technician should use the tool with which he feels most comfortable and the one that achieves a safe removal (both for the vehicle and the technician).

3. PREPARING FOR THE NEW WINDSHIELD:
Trim the existing urethane bead, leaving it 1 to 2 millimeters in height. Use your adhesive manufacturer’s pinchweld primer to prime all scratches, if any exist, and allow to dry, according to your adhesive manufacturer’s recommendations. Please note that only the full-cut method is permitted by the AGRSS/ANSI 002-2002 Standard.

4. PLACEMENT OF THE NEW WINDSHIELD:
Dry-fit the new windshield and mark it properly to ensure the correct setting procedure. Prepare the windshield according to your adhesive manufacturer’s recommendations, and then apply the adhesive and install the windshield. Make sure the deck height is correct and the markings on the windshield line up with those on the body that were applied during the dry set.

5. FINISHING TOUCHES:
Install the cowl, wipers and mirror in reverse order from removal and torque the wiper nuts to 13-foot pounds. Check for any leaks and be sure to inform the vehicle owner of the safe drive-away time, according to the adhesive manufacturer. Also be sure to record all lot numbers from the adhesive and primers as well as the DOT number from the windshield. n
wJamie Browning was the winner of the 2009 Pilkington Classic Auto Glass Technician Olympics. He has more than 17 years’ experience in the industry. Mr. Browning’s opinions are solely his own and not necessarily those of this magazine.

Jamie Browning was the winner of the 2009 Pilkington Classic Auto Glass Technician Olympics. He has more than 17 years’ experience in the industry. Mr. Browning’s opinions are solely his own and not necessarily those of this magazine.

AGRR
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