Body/Trim: 240 Windscreen Replacement

[Audrey Old]

Forgive me if this has appeared previously, but up until now our 240 has been so good........

Today whilst doing the usual oldn's visit, whilst turning off a main road some little s*ds on the nearside path decided to see what would happen if they threw a handful of small stones across the windscreen of our car. Result - a chip and ever-lenghtening crack up from the tax-disc area.

We have a scrap 240 of similar year ('89) with a decent screen: can anybody advise the best way to remove said screen without cracking it? We tried one a couple of years ago but it cracked when prised, so won't do that again!
We heard a hot-wire type tool is necessary - are these available for DIY use? Do we have to cut through windscreen surround when using tool?
When refitting in our day-car, does one have to use a bonding agent and apply some form of heat (no garage, so thats not an option really).

Would appreciate advice to keep costs down (also on how to deal with these young thugs too).

[Mike_Brace]

The professionals use a cheese wire. Remove inner and outer trims make small hole through sealant and feed one end of chessewire through. Use this to saw round. If the screen is old it is likely to crack - they go brittle with age. You will need new trim clips for outside. The "new" screen needs a primer round the edge and then the correct adhesive - really a specialist job - I always contract out to a local independent fitter.
Most policies have windscreen cover against an excess (usually £50)

Mike

[Velorum]

Bad luck old boy.

I think that its bonded in and the surround is simply stuck on the top for show - Ive no doubt a number of folk here will give you a far more enlightening answer.

As for the young thugs - please do not buy some Elysan blue chemical toilet additive from a camping shop and put it in an empty coke bottle to throw over them. If you did it would stain their skin as well as their clothing and be a very difficult to get off - it would also be illegal so do not do it. I myself did not do this in 1997 when some young thugs tried to break into my boat. As they had broken in before I didnt hide inside and throw it over them when they forced open the door. Neither did I thump one of them in the face and laugh as they ran away screaming.

Im sure that other forum members will be able to advise you about alternatives that you must under no circumances carry out. You must at all costs protect the human rights of everyone regardless of their behviour.

[dgbalfour]

That's interesting - my screen is also in need of renewing but I wasn't sure what sort of a job the local generic windscreen firms would make. If a reputable one can do it without cutting corners (don't want leaks or ill-fitting trim) then I'll do that rather than take it a Volvo specialist.

David

[CTCNetwork]

Hi,

I think Ian is right. Screen is bonded in place and not a job for the home amateur. Get an experienced fitter to do the job.

Ian: I am surprised at the sort of thing you don't get up to.. Personally I wouldn't have had a quarterstaff handy..

Des. . .

[jetronic63]

I recently had a quote from RAC of £590 - which is the discounted price as I am a member.........Hmmm.

I guess as most are paid for by the insurance companies, this gives the industry the opportunity to jack the prices up.

If you do get it replaced - you could go for the later type surround which is flatter and supposedly quieter.

Steve

[Mike_Brace]

Local independent £100 cash (top tint), £130 invoiced and god knows how much to insurance.

Mike

[Roger Jennings]

FWIW I have recently had the windscreen replaced on the 240 (1986) by RAC windscreens and was told that the original type of fitment where the screen is 'sandwiched' into the rubber surround is no longer available. The replacement is of a bonded 'flush fit' type similar to those fitted to the post 1991? year models. Whether their statement is fact or fiction I do not know but as I would have needed a new surround they fitted the later type of screen. Only down side is that there is no chrome look a like trim around the window now. Whether the newer type is better in keeping rust at bay from the surrounding area only time, or someone more knowledgeable, will tell.

[Clifford Pope]

I thought the 240s had always had bonded glass, even those that looked as if they had a bit of real chrome trim to hold it in place.
When I broke a 1979 model I tried to salvage the windscreen, but cracked it and then realised it was bonded onto the frame.

[Mike_Brace]

Yes all the 240 screens were bonded. The very last models had a a different trim providing a flusher fit. The early screens had clips around them to hold the trim. these need replacing when refitting the old trim. Mine is in the process of being replaced - we have just removed the old screen today.

Mike