H3 HUMMER H3 Windshield Replacement - Process Overview

[Gunner_45]

From the Gunner_45 archives:

Old but still relevant enough that I thought it worth re-posting here on the new site.

Deals mainly with a professionally done windshield replacement and some things I learned from the experience.

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OK…

So I finally got around to having my windshield replaced today and thought I’d share some cheesy photos of the process……..

Popped off the breather covers:

Removed the door moldings and screws from the side reveals:

Notice all the black goop the dealer puts in to correct that pesky wind noise issue:

Wipers come off then the top cowl. Note: that special tool is all that stands between the installer and a broken cowl. 3 bills or so Ibelieve.

Now the sub cowl comes off:

Removal time:

Slap some goo on it and reverse the process.

I learned a few things from the guys that did thereplacement. They do a ton of these a month.

Use only folks that have done HUMMERS before. There are tricks to the job not everyone knows.

Example, if they don't have that tool for removing the top cowl, it's a 50/50 shot they will break it.

These guys make special rubber spacers to position and cushion the glass from possible metal contact in rough terrain.

If you have roof lights they charge $100 extra. Seems there is an issue with the riv-nuts having to be drilled out.

If you get a chip or small crack, get it repaired BEFORE itgets as bad as mine did. As a general rule, if you can cover
the damage with a dollar bill, they can do a repair. Thesite will be a little distorted, but it stops the damage from spreading
and is a hell of a lot cheaper. You can do multiple repairsif necessary.

Cure time is 3 hours prior to driving, 72 for a permanent cure.

During the cure times, leave a window cracked to shut a door and close them for highway driving...The pressure will F it up.

 

[Gunner_45]

Remember the black goop the dealer used to fix my wind noise.....

It makes a nice paperweight....

So far so good....No leaks, no wind noise.........[/QUOTE]


One final note regarding OEM glass vs. Non-OEM..........

Not all glass is created equal. They showed me the difference between the two:

Non-OEM was $50 cheaper but......

It didn’t have the tint at the top nor did it have the black border that covers up all the dash crap when looking from the outside in.

OK I'm done now........Verbose MoFo aint I........

 

[Bigunit]

Gunner_45, thanks for the post - it's very timely as Cotilo took a rock to her windshield on the way home from work last night & will need to get it replaced. Some good pointers in your post to make sure the job gets done right (she has the roof marker lights on hers).

 

[f5moab]

After 06 or 07 (forget what year), H3s were not shipped with tint at the top. I wonder if when they replace a window would they install one with tint if it did not have tint from the factory? Ummmmmmm

I would always suggest going with OEM glass, it passes a tougher standard too.

Did the old glass have lower plastic pieces? The factory used them for alignment during assembly.

Forgot to add, in the engineering shop, they used to replace the windshield without removing the grille assembly, under the wipers.

 

[alrock]

I always request windshield glass with the tint at top. On my 4th windshield and each replacement has had the tint.

 

[Gunner_45]

Not sure about the alignment parts Doug......I don't remember seeing anything.
I do know they had to re-position that black foam rubber stuff at the bottom of the glass once or twice.
That helped to keep the un-finished edge of the plastic dash (where it meets the glass) properly aligned....
If it does not go in properly, you will get peaks and valleys in the plastic where it meets the windshield.
And once the glass gets glued in……you are stuck with it !

 

[f5moab]

Guess one thing I forget is the H3s they worked with and tore apart were brand new. Not subjected to the hot southern sun or other items floating in the air. So repair was a lot easier.

I have been pleasantly surprised, I have never had to replace a WS on either of H3s, but did two (maybe three) on my Jeep.

What company did you use, not that it would matter in Moab.

 

[Gunner_45]

A locally owned outfit (I'd have to dig up the guy's card).........They did all of the glass work for the Sewell dealership network, hence all the HUMMER experience.

HUMMER Guy turned me on to the guy via back channels.

Probably +/- $700 if done on Sewell's driveway, +/- $400 by getting it done on mine.

A huge deal since glass breakage is NOT covered unless it is due to vandalism or theft.

With the number of gravel haulers we have flying up and down the roads here inthe DFW area.....The life of a HUMMER windshield is fraught with danger.

 

[Gunner_45]

Here you go Chris, hope this helps. Let me know if the guy is still in business (I have anotyher one for him to do).

Top notch job.