This month during a training class in Austin, Texas, my friend and excellent glass technician, Jason Horne, showed me something that was so impressive I just had to share it with everyone.
The Jeep Wrangler windshield is one of those windshields that look pretty easy to do, but can prove to be a challenge. It has an almost vertical mounting, very close tolerance to the walls of the pinchweld and gaps that make it almost a wind noise certainty. It even has a service bulletin warning (TSB_23-030-07). The reason for the air noise is the gaps around the perimeter of the four-sided exposed edge part. Each exposed edge is very close to the walls of the pinchweld and not only pose whistle possibilities but also removal problems. The ideal tools for the windshield removal on this vehicle are the new wire-out tools that are growing in popularity. The wire makes this removal rather easy and damage free.
Jason showed me a device that he found at a Jeep dealer that greatly eased some of the problems in setting the glass into the opening and replicating the gaps. It is called the Jeep Glass spacer, #55028214 and is about $1.50. It comes four to a package and can be used in a number of ways:
- The first method of use is what I think they were designed for. Place one on each of the four sides and set the glass into the opening to achieve the perfect gaps on four sides.
- Another method of use could be using two on the bottom and one on each side while setting the glass. This assures proper gaps on all four sides as well.
- The way we used them was to put two on the bottom and one on the far side as gravity stops and far-side bumpers. The unique shape protrudes enough that they ease in setting the glass with one person.
Jason says, “But the best part is that they are reusable by simply turning it a quarter turn and pulling it out from under the glass edge.”
Once the glass is set, tape it up to assure stability or wait until the urethane sets-up and then remove and reuse the spacers.
I thought these spacers really worked well. If you get a set, please let me know what you think.
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I have taken to placing a foam dam on the underside, right along the perimeter of the glass. The urethane sets in far enough that it is not bothered by dam, and the dam prevents the wind from blowing under the glass. Which is what creates the noise. I first did this to end a wind noise for a customer who had a replacement done elsewhere and have continued to use it for well over a dozen other Wranglers.
Just wondering if you could possibly provide all of us more information on the proper way to do the aluminum body for windshields.
Another GREAT article Bob! I will add my two cents worth…ONLY use OEM windshields!!!We service all Chrysler dealers and every week we see Wranglers that look like the glass is perfectly spaced…we even measure the gaps, yet they have a high pitch whistle while driving. We tape off the glass and the noise goes away. The height looks perfect, nice square edges to the urethane bead, yet, they whistle. I told a service advisor to use Chrysler glass when she was going to replace hers…one week later, “John could you test my Jeep”! It had been installed by a very highly respected glass guy but he used FY. whistled like a train. I taped it off, noise gone. He came back and put in I believe it was PPG or Pilkington…whistled,. Now he was mad and said it was not the install it was the Jeep and a coincidence. I sent one of my guys right over, he taped off the windshield with the glass guy and they went for a drive, noise gone. Same glass guy came back the next day and put in Mopar and guess what? NO whistle.
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Bob, thanks for this blog, I find your blogs very informative for the auto glass industry. I have had success in setting these wranglers using foam dam but this sounds like a better and more precise set . This I will try and have purchased these spacers to use.i also won’t have to keep foam dam on hand which saves a few dollars..
I ordered these spacers with the part # In this blog and it wasn’t correct . The correct part # is 55397209-AA. These spacers will take the guess work out of the install and save time. Thanks Bob
Thanks Robby, you are right the correct part # is 55397209-AA.
Does anyone know how they are t be inserted? sideways? Can’t find any instructions or videos on this.
Hi I found your tips for the winshield whisling.. I brought my jeep wrangler unlimited sahara 2014 to the dealer 4 times.. then called jeep canada to get them to fix this.. they said it is normal for the 2014.. but the 2013 don’t have the whisling… how can I get them to fix this..they seem to say I am the only one who made a complaint… thanks I will probably forward your mag if ok with you for proof!
thanks
Cindy