How to lower windshield???

doughnutdog · 10-23-2009, 09:22 AM

Hey y'all....

I am trying to lower windshield, so I can get to wiper motor. I have removed holddown straps on the interior (next to both doors) and unbolted roll bar from the frame, undid wipers, but yet, the windshield will not drop??? What am I missing???

muddy93 · 10-23-2009, 09:29 AM

first, fill out your profile, so that we know what jeep you have.
second, assuming that it's an older YJ, the hinges are probably seized, you can try soaking them in some pb-blaster, or other penetrating oil to try to free them up.

just be sure to use caution when folding it down, if you have to force it at all, there is a chance that you could bend the hinges, and end up needing new ones.

ExNeph · 10-23-2009, 09:30 AM

Check your windshield hinges and make sure they're not rusted or clamped shut? Other than that, the two straps and rollbar torx should be it.

Baerr · 10-23-2009, 09:30 AM

Check to make sure the roll bar mounting plate is not wedged between the windshield frame and the sunvisor mounts... I've done this before, tried to force down the windshield and stripped the sunvisor mounting bolts right out of the windshield frame...

Might seem silly, but check...

ExNeph · 10-23-2009, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baerr

Check to make sure the roll bar mounting plate is not wedged between the windshield frame and the sunvisor mounts... I've done this before, tried to force down the windshield and stripped the sunvisor mounting bolts right out of the windshield frame...

Might seem silly, but check...

I can't believe I forgot that. Hahaha, I had the same problem when I put mine down. Felt like such a putz.

**rustywrangler** · 10-23-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baerr

Check to make sure the roll bar mounting plate is not wedged between the windshield frame and the sunvisor mounts... I've done this before, tried to force down the windshield and stripped the sunvisor mounting bolts right out of the windshield frame...

Might seem silly, but check...

This was exactly what i was going to suggest. I have done that many times.

If that isn't it, then your hinges are probably seized. Try and soak in some PB blaster but you may end up replacing the hinges.

**Louie4** · 10-23-2009, 09:35 AM

If you took the sun visors off, unbolted the plates on each side next to the dash and unbolted the roll bar supports, I say push harder.

And yes, I have made the mistake of not unbolting the sun visors.

**rustywrangler** · 10-23-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louie4

If you took the sun visors off, unbolted the plates on each side next to the dash and unbolted the roll bar supports, I say push harder.

Be careful with this advise though. This is the exact reason I needed to replace my hinges. I pushed too hard on seized up hinges and they just folded over, not via the hinge but the metal just below it..

china-clipper · 10-23-2009, 11:03 AM

As previously stated many times....be real careful when attempting to fold down the windshield. Watch the hinges (and have a buddy watch the other one) and watch for "flexing" of the frame and cowl mount as opposed to hinge movement. Bending a hinge may seem like an easy fix until you realize those torx fasteners are NEVER going to come out. That means drilling, tapping, etc. Or even worse, the torx just spins and doesn't come out.

**Poke** · 10-23-2009, 12:00 PM

I bent my hinges and its suked. be easy and WD-40/PB blast the hinges as much as possible

**Louie4** · 10-23-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustywrangler

Be careful with this advise though. This is the exact reason I needed to replace my hinges. I pushed too hard on seized up hinges and they just folded over, not via the hinge but the metal just below it..

Good point Rusty. I should of thought of that. Luckily my hinges aren't rusty. Mine stuck a little bit when I first tried to push it down. I gave it a few more "nudges" that were a little harder and found that someone had put some RTV in between the cowl seal and body, plus the paint on the hinges might have held it a little too. On a side note, I drilled two 1/8" dia. holes on each side of the windshield frame to drain water. When I first drilled it, water came out in a steady stream, just in case someone has a similar problem.

Mitchness · 10-23-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louie4

On a side note, I drilled two 1/8" dia. holes on each side of the windshield frame to drain water. When I first drilled it, water came out in a steady stream, just in case someone has a similar problem.

Got any pics of where you drilled these holes?

**Louie4** · 10-23-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitchness

Got any pics of where you drilled these holes?

I'll take some today after work and try to upload them. My bluetooth on the computer has been acting up but I'll make it work. (Blackberry camera phone at the moment).