328 - windshield remove/replace question

I wanted to dismantle mine to redone join. Many tell me that there is a 50% chance of breaking it at disassembly and I don't find anybody to do it.

And the molding is no more available as I know.

 

I'm not sure if it's the same as the 308. When a friend removed the windshield from his 308, he pulled it off together with the molding attached to the edge of the glass as there is the channel groove on the molding where it's clamp on to the windshield. Everything came out perfect and in one piece, he then pulled the molding off the glass and saved it for spare.

 

You will need to very carefully cut or clean away all the sealant without catching the paint or trim on the outside, then do the same on the inside removing the A pillar trims. Carefully prise off the trims without bending them, then remove all the sealant from the grove. Once all the sealant is out the screen should come out without too much force. I haven't broken one yet taking them out. But you need to allow 1 to 2 days to remove the sealant depending on what type. Once the screen is out use white spirit to clean off all the sealant before preparing to fit a new screen. Fitting a new screen and making the trim look correct is very difficult and imo should be done by a specialist familiar with 308s. My screen fitter had a 308 until very recently! I also recommend removing and not using the trim retaining clips, there is much more risk breaking the screen and they restrict trim adjustment.


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Having just had it done last summer on my 308, it is not something that I would recommend doing on your own. As Mike says if it is the same as the 308 then the trim will be unobtanium so it must be salvaged during the removal for reuse. I decided after receiving some great advice to go with an OEM windshield and not a replacement. I had Newport Beach Ferrari purchase and receive the glass which took about 6 weeks. Cost was about double what you would pay for a non-oem ( I was told to beware of non-oem's as they may be inconsistent). I did not want to deal with having to return a windshield that did not fit. I arranged with NB Ferrari to have them use their preferred installer. All of the responsibility was on them to have it done right. The installer was able to remove and reuse the trim. I am very happy with all of the parties involved, Hagerty and NB Ferrari, as they made it relatively painless for me. The time it took was the only downside. Patience paid off for me.

 

Im told that the 328 is different as far as the molding needs to come off first.

The clips that hold this on are riveted to the body

anybody?

 

My 308 GTSi also has the trim clips riveted to the frame,so I'm guessing it's the same for both models. I had a windscreen guy remove mine a few months back. The previous owner had the windscreen replaced and the fitter had sika flexed the screen and trims in place, no trim clips were fitted.. I said to my windscreen guy, I don't care how long it takes but you can't damage the surround trims. He took a couple of hours of very careful cutting, but eventually got them out undamaged. The clips are cheap and readily available, so will be reinstalled correctly when the car goes back together


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+1 once you get all the sealant out and you pull the trim out (be careful and go slow), you will probably have to cut the old glass out. You can use an electric guitar string to do it.. Use the G string.. It will ruin the seal but I don't think you can get that out without ruining it anyway (anyone?).

I think they were making replacement windshields at one point with black plastic trim attached to the edge already. It wasn't original but it looks good and is way easier to install. I am not sure if they still make those. One of the biggest problems you could have is the replacement glass might not fit right. It may require you trying a couple of them.. Sometimes glass is a major pain in the butt with these cars..

 

I would strongly advise against using the clips, they prevent the adjustment needed for differences in the new screen, experienced Ferrari screen fitters stopped using these ages ago which is probably why yours are missing

 

The 308 and 328 don't have seals they use mastic and a gloss black cover trim, if your screen has a rubber seal it is not correct


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Good to know, many thanks


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Is it actually a seal on the 328? At least on my '78 308 it was just urethane sealant. I got probably 85% of the way around my windshield pulling the trim off before I cracked the glass. I would suggest having someone come out and do it but on a car as old as these they will probably tell you upfront that they won't be responsible if it breaks.

I was lucky I was able to find new trim at fairly reasonable prices. That's not likely to happen again. I think I was able to save one of the pieces of my old trim.

Here is a pic of the stripped frame and one of the clips that hold the trim on.
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I assume the 308 QV window is the same procedure as for the other 3x8's:

- Clean and inspect window frame.
- Install new clips for window surround if old ones are tired / missing / damaged.
- Trial fit new window. Do not expect the glass to fit perfectly though.
- Mount an 8-10 mm bituminous asphalt tape strip in the bottom of the window frame.
- Mount window in bitumen strip. It must be guided correct in place in first attempt! Avoid contact between window and clips to minimize risk of glass cracking later in life.
- Cover off window frame / window with protection tape.
- Fill gap between window and window frame with black PUR based sealant. Notice the clips location.
- Install aluminum window surround into the clips / sealant and press in place.
- Dress sealant with soaped finger or special tool. Remove excess sealant and protection tape.
- Let sealant cure and you are ready for driving.

This is NOT a job that can be hurried and performed in one hour as most window installers base their earnings on. Patience, care, correct mounting materials and tools are the keywords.

Best regards Peter

 

Removing the front window from a 3x8 is a delicate task.

I did it this way:

Remove the aluminum surround:
- Cover the window frame in very durable tape to avoid scratches in paint.
- Carefully and patiently cut free the surround from the sealant from both sides. Take extreme care that you don't cut down into the paint in the window frame, this could cause corrosion later on unless repaired. Also avoid cutting into the edge of the glass, this will make it shatter either immediately or later since this is tempered glass.
- Pry free and remove the surround from the clips. Take your time, the aluminum profile is NLA!
Remove the window:
- Insert a wire cutter string and cut the window free from the bitumen glass mounting strip. Have a helper to keep the freed glass from sticking onto the bitumen again or install some "anti stick" material as you cut around the window circumference.
- Remove the glass.
- Clean window frame without scathing paint.
- Inspect window frame / clips for corrosion. Repair as required.

Good luck, Peter

 

Removing the windshield from a 308 is not a job for the faint hearted. Even experienced glass fitters can struggle. Unless you have damage to the glass or corrosion in the frame, I will recommend keeping the glass and the surround in place. If the car has to be re-painted, then it is possible to carefully remove some of the sealant between the window surround and the window frame leaving room for a nice transition between new paint and window.

Best Peter

 

I have a UK RHD 1981 308 GTS (carb model). I'm just going through the process of reassembly at the moment. I'm now unsure whether to fit new windscreen clips or just use sealant?

All door and windscreen surround trims have been refinished & a have purchased a new windscreen which has already been trial fitted. What sealant is recommended? Also, any useful tips on re-fitting? The dashboard has been recovered and has not been re-fitted. I presume fitting the windscreen before the dashboard is fitted is best?

 

L

It will not look right or complete without the mouldings around the windshield, I just had my windshield replaced not too long ago.

 

Hi Max, Brian from fleet. There is a guy in Cranleigh who fitted my 308 windscreen (Howard) he is the only person I would be confident doing this job. He used to have a 308 himself. My other 308 screen was fitted by a so called expert and it was a total mess and had to removed, and it broke. Cleaning up from this failed attempt took about a week. Whether the clips are used or not is down to Howard, he did use some on mine but others were at risk of touching and cracking the screen. The new screens are slightly different to the original ones, and what might seem ok from a trial fit looks different once the adhesive is in place. They use a black tiger seal to bond the screen but the amount that is applied is critical. Too much and it creates a mess inside and and outside the car that is impossible to clean and make look right, too little and the screen will leak.


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My earlier posts reminded me that Howard didn’t use the clips on mine in the end. If you want to come round to my house max I have two screens here fitted by Howard


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Brian, thanks! I'll drop you a line next week. Max