Quadratec Windshield Frame Install Problems

Uncle Russ · 03-08-2009, 12:43 AM

Folks, I'm installing a new Quadratec windshield frame and cowl seal on my '84 CJ7 and I'm running into a problem. The windshield frame has a lip on it that is not present on the frame it's replacing which is also a Quadratec frame I purchased/installed in 1998. The lip is also pushing the cowl seal backward and throwing off the alignment between the holes in the seal and the holes in the frame. Has anyone experienced this before? It looks like I need to remove (either with a grinder or bend the lip over) about 1/4 inch of metal from the lip so the seal will align correctly. I'm going to be really torqued about this if I can't figure out how to fix it since I've already spent $500 getting this new frame painted and glass installed.

Would appreciate any help you guys could throw my way!

**Coiz** · 03-08-2009, 01:46 AM

Ouch! Don't do anything rash just yet. Can you post up some pictures?

**keith460** · 03-08-2009, 07:58 AM

Say no more my friend, as I have the same problem with a windshield frame I purchased from 4WDHardware.com. I sent them numerous e-mails about this for a month and all they have done is credit me on a cowl seal. They do not understand the problem at hand as I sent photos showing the extra wide lip compared to the OEM Jeep windshield. I want to send it back to them but it is way over 90 days and they would send out another one with the same wide lip anyway. The frame is manufactured for Crown Automotive, p/n 5453941, by some Taiwan company of course and they don't seem to know about the defect. Currently, I am talking with Crown Automotive Sales about this problem but that does not help you or me but maybe for guys in the future who purchase these frames from a vendor. Quadratec, 4WDHardware and others are only the middlemen and have no control on manufactured products they receive but numerous complaints from the end user's will eventually get things looked into.

Here are some photos I took that I sent along with the e-mails that you can save and use yourself if needed. If you just purchased your frame recently, call them for a replacement one as the one you got may be just a fluke like mine is. It seems as though other people have bought these frames without problems because I have asked several forum members via PM's.

Crown Automotive Frame

OEM Jeep Frame

rkbell · 03-08-2009, 08:16 AM

Man, I'm sorry you guys are going through that but I'm so glad you spoke up about it as I am fixing to purchase a new frame. I was going to order Quadratec part #12501.0000 which includes the frame, glass, cowl seal, and glass gasket. I'll definately call this one in as opposed to ordering on line and tell them of the issues ya'll are having so hopefully they don't send me a defective unit.

Thanks for the heads up and I hope you get yours squared away.

BrockGrimes · 03-08-2009, 08:22 AM

I bought the combo one with frame, glass, cowl seal, and glass gasket.
It fit just fine on the jeep the only issue was getting the glass gasket to seat properly
as it's a one piece and likes to roll on install. I recommend a glass installer put it in to
get the seal to seat and to not break it on install. As far as the cowl seal it fit fine the
premade holes in the seal are a little off but they stretch enough to line up and once on
it looks just fine.

BTW, the combo setup isn't made by crown it's by another company, have their info at the house.

**Bubba Ray** · 03-08-2009, 10:41 AM

I have a buddy with this same issue. Are you getting any relief from Quadratech?

Uncle Russ · 03-08-2009, 11:55 AM

I bought the frame last May. I did a quick once-over look at it to make sure it was in good shape (no dents or unintentional bends) and didn't really go any further with the inspection since I had bought the same exact windshield frame from QT in 1998 and it had fit perfectly. We're about to move from Cali to NoVA and I wanted to get the frame squared away prior so I finally got my lazy butt in gear this past week and had the new replacement frame painted and new glass installed. Started taking the old frame off yesterday and realized the frame was far more rusted than I had orignally thought. Suprised the dang thing was still standing! Anyway, I get it off and remove the wiper linkage, sunvisors and such. As I went to install the new cowl gasket on the new frame, that's when I noticed the lip. I tried everyway I could think of to get the gasket to go under that lip but it just wouldn't work.

The pictures keith460 posted above show exactly what I'm faced with. The two options I'm considering: slice a deeper groove in the cowl seal to accomodate the wider lip and grinding the offending lip width down to spec. I'm leaning towards the grinding option since I'm concerned that slicing the cowl seal will jeapordize its integrity and lead to some serious leakage in the future. Any other ideas?

**Bubba Ray** · 03-08-2009, 02:38 PM

Anyone contact Quadratec about this?

Uncle Russ · 03-08-2009, 05:01 PM

I'm going to contact them on Monday, believe their customer service is closed on weekends.

**BESRK** · 03-08-2009, 05:10 PM

I'd be careful about grinding that larger lip down. It's difficult to tell from the pics but to me, that wider lip looks "hollow". Once you grind thru the skin, the bottom of that frame is going to lose some integrity because it'll be open along the entire length. Could lead to flexing/warping. Just something to think about before firing up the grinder..

Uncle Russ · 03-08-2009, 05:49 PM

Here's what I'm up against. The old frame has a flange that is about 1/8th inch wide. The new frame's flange is at least double that, more in some places (could be I was hitting something inside the cavity as well) so I'm going to take my right-angle grinder to it and remove (hopefully) about 1/8th material without destroying the new paint job or the structural integrity of the frame. Happy Happy Joy Joy...and yes, I'm calling QT Customer Service tomorrow morning!

Old Frame

Old Frame Flange Width

New Frame

New Frame Flange Width

New Frame Flange Width, Mid Frame

Uncle Russ · 03-08-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BESRK

I'd be careful about grinding that larger lip down. It's difficult to tell from the pics but to me, that wider lip looks "hollow". Once you grind thru the skin, the bottom of that frame is going to lose some integrity because it'll be open along the entire length. Could lead to flexing/warping. Just something to think about before firing up the grinder..

Thanks, great cautionary warning! The best I can tell, the lip is a single piece of metal bent over the bottom of the frame. Where the lip meets the vertical portion of the frame it's doubled up with the vertical frame metal.

I plan on grinding the lip back about 1/8" leaving 1/8" of lip remaining to interact with the cowl seal. Key thing will be keeping the grinder under control both side-to-side and vertically. I really do not want to accidently cut through the bottom of my brand-new frame!

hookntail · 03-08-2009, 09:45 PM

is there any way to modify the cowl seal? Maybe cut out a channel to receive this larger lip... I just ordered mine and it is at the body shop wiht my jeep. I havent even seen it yet but I can imagine what it might look like after they butcher it up... Ill check on it tomorrow.

steve

Uncle Russ · 03-08-2009, 10:54 PM

I thought about that but decided that doing so would have significantly weakened the seal. Figured it would be safer to remove the extra metal with an angle grinder.

Ok, it looks like the surgery was a success. I used this problem as "justification" to go out and buy a Makita 4 1/2" angle-grinder (never had a need for one before) and used a cutting wheel to cut about 1/8" off the lip. After cutting the metal off, I used my Dremel to remove the burs and smooth out the cut. Followed that up with an acetone wipe down and a generous coating of POR-15 on the fresh metal. Unfortunately, the POR-15 took its own sweet time drying so I wasn't able to get a second coat on before dark. I've got the frame in our downstairs bathroom with a heater going to dry the first coat so I can get the 2nd coat applied and dried tonight. Hoping to install the cowl seal and frame tomorrow morning and then get to work. Will let you know how it goes.

**keith460** · 03-08-2009, 11:06 PM

I'll be zip grinding mine off this week with a cut off wheel so I can get his over with and move on with the rest of my Repli-Tub modifications. This is minor compared to some of the layout, drilling and other modifications needed on a Repli-Tub fitment.

There's no way I would even think of modifying the cowl seal to make fit on a windshield frame that is incorrectly made. At least my windshield frame is not painted yet and I was able to catch this defect early in the restoration phase of a CJ-7. Still sucks though that we have to do this type of mod to a piece that should have fit like an OEM part.