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Window Replacement
This summer ramble across the US from Virginia through Alberta, Canada and the northwest have been hard on our 99 26 IB. Latest casualty -Have sustained a broken window in the house. The forward most window on the drivers side.. cracked ..still very much intact.. longest crack run about 2/3rds of the way from top to bottom..
I called the Mother ship and was referred to their glass supplier who was very cooperative ..Nagco Glass rep told me they can ship the glass (once I verify size, etc) but they have many bad experiences with LD owners having a problem finding an installer who will take it on)  I am leaning toward just living with the crack until our winter ramble takes us to southern CA and let Nagco Glass install - their price is very reasonable..
Questions - Does anyone have experience with replacing windows with after market glass ..??  With all the vibration and bumping the LD takes on the road is there a danger of the window shattering further in the months before we can get to the factory??
And advice and comments appreciated..
All the best, John and Cathy Hagan
Shift Colors - Underway
1999 26.5 IB

Re: Window Replacement
Reply #1
Hi, John & Cathy--

Condolences on the injury.  I've not had this particular mishap, but did have a windshield that caught a rock & had a horizontal crack along the bottom 1/4 of the glass.  I was able to get that replaced easily by my hometown body guy.

Are your coach windows double pane or single?  I don't know if the windows in the coach are of the shatter-proof variety like the windshield, but I would take something like the heavy clear packing tape & and run it along at least the inside of the crack, and if you've only got single pane windows, I'd do the same thing on the outside.  Granted it will look *ugly,* but would hopefully stabilize the crack until you can effect a repair--clear looks better than gray duct tape.  Good luck!

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm

Re: Window Replacement
Reply #2
It's not so much the glass, but as Nagco said "they have many bad experiences with LD owners having a problem finding an installer who will take it on". Simply because the windows are so difficult to remove due to the Mothership bonds the window frame to aluminum and wood structure.  It takes close to an hour to remove a window, without bending it.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy


Re: Window Replacement
Reply #4
The window is safety glass - two panes bonded with a sheet of plastic. The crack will only affect one of the panes, and if the outside one, it should not leak (the seal is between the inside pane and the frame).

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit

Re: Window Replacement
Reply #5
Update on the window issue.. I think mine are single pane - NAGCO Glass tells me that the double pane glass started in 2000 or 2001. But they are a proprietary glass that NAGCO makes to specification for LD.. I investigated the drilling and filling fix recommended  by alley - it looked so promising as a very satisfactory interim fix but everyone I have called who does that tells me it is only done on windshields... so I am pretty much resigned to live with it until I can get back through southern California... In the meantime I will find some strong transparent tape and hope to keep it from getting longer..Thanks to all for the advice..live and learn and I learn a lot from this forum.
Shift Colors - Underway
1999 26.5 IB

Re: Window Replacement
Reply #6
Single pane?   Yes. . . and . . . no.    We had a 1994 26 MB.   The glass was  two sheets of glass laminated.   It appeared to be single pane.    Dual pane glass (in our 2006 26.5 RB) ) has an air gap just like dual pane windows in a sticks and bricks home.     Well, not exactly, but close enough.     If at all possible, I'd opt for Nagco when you're next in So CA.   
Best wishes,
Juli
Juli W.
Former owner 1994 mid bath,  2006 26.5'rear bath

 
Re: Window Replacement
Reply #7
Single pane?  Yes. . . and . . . no.   . 
The glass was two sheets of glass laminated.  It appeared to be single pane.   
It's old school safety glass.
In 2003 LD changed to dual pane windows, with an air gap between the two panes.

As Steve said, if the crack is only in one pane of glass, it is still watertight.
You might just leave it alone, I have seen them last many years with one pane cracked.
If you are nervous, you can place a strip of heavy, clear plastic tape over the crack.

Larry


Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze