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View Full Version : replaced upper dash panel and now improper windshield fit



justasquid
04-05-2009, 04:14 AM
I replaced the metal dash panel on my 68 camaro. I took measurements at least 3 times before removing the old one. I then replaced it with a new one that was suppose to have been hit with the original tool from GM that I got from heartbeat city. The window was not in at the time, so Im not sure how it fit before hand.

Now my issue is when I lay the windshield in place, it fits flat against the window frame and dash panel on the drivers side and about 95 percent across the front. But the last little bit on the passenger side it is raised up a bit. It sticks up about an 1/8 inch from the post. The top and the bottom of the windshield stick up the same. If I gently push down on the windshield, it will touch and sit flat, but as soon as the pressure is removed, it pops back up. I can't imagine its good for the glass to be pressed into place. The glass is completely free of sealant and so is the window frame.

Is this normal?

Did make a wrong measurement and screw something up?

Im really hoping its just a quirck of an old car and not my mistake somewhere.

any information would be greatly appreciated.

Simbad68
04-05-2009, 05:04 AM
I had the same issue on my 69 on the driver side. I took a block and laid it flat and gave it a few light taps with a 3lbs hammer. Lays flat now with perfect fit.

justasquid
04-05-2009, 04:32 PM
thanks for the reply.

where exactly did you tap it?

I can see right where the window starts to raise away from the dash panel. is this where you would tap it?

thanks for anymore advice you can give me. I'll probably give it a shot, I just dont want to warp the dash panel.

I thought about going as far as to put a slice in the dash panel right were it bends to meat the windshield, the push that side back a little further and reweld it. But I guess Im just concerned if its really needed or not. I really wish I would have put the windshied back in before it cut the old one out to see how that one fit.

justasquid
04-10-2009, 04:35 PM
just an update in case anyone has this issue.

I sat the windshield in place and let it sit there for over a week now. I went over to take it back out, and what do ya know? The glass is sitting perfect in the channel all the way around the windshield. The 1/8 inch gap is completely gone.

When I was storing the windshiled, i had it laying flat with the ends pointing up in the air, (not correct maybe?) All I can think is the glass must have flexed a little while it was being stored and flattened out a bit. Now that it is resting back in its place, it went back to its orginal shape..

Ive never heard of this before and it seems odd to me. But just thought I would share in case anyone else has an issue with the windshield not fitting.

Also, would it be better to store the windshild standing up versus flat?

Tom Welch
04-13-2009, 07:26 PM
Glass is sort of like a liquid in some respects. What you experienced is an example of that. Glad you got it to fit.