cracked windscreen

[dirkpitt]

gutted ........drove home last night and spotted a chip and crack in the windscreen.......first real problem with the loty since i have had it ( bless her).

anyways.....phoned the in..scruge...ment and i have windscreen replacement cover ...

however, i have noticed on some threads on here that to do the job properly you need to take off the front clam? and what they have done in the past is take it to MMC to do this and handled the insurance there?

i have a booking with auto windscreens to take and fit. is it worth pointing out this info to them before i go, or would they just look at me like an idiot!



leigh

[johncam]

Certainly worth pointing this out to them Leigh. I have had a couple of windscreens replaced and on both occasions I have just taken the car to Murrays and they have assisted in the process. I’m not sure you need to have the front clam completely off (on an Elise anyway) but from memory it certainly helps if the bolts are loose enough for the clam to be moved a bit clear from the screen while the fitter is doing the job. I think the RAC Windscreen guys based in Edinburgh know the score when it comes to this – never used Auto Windscreens. I’d imagine Murrays would have a charge for helping (and use of their workshop) so probably better to ask them and if so then clear this with your insurance first.

Cheers,

John

[Shug]

Yup, screen tucks under the clam, so the clam needs to be loosened and shifted a little to give a straight shot at putting the screen in.

[Stewart]

Had the screen in my exige replaced. It went to MMC. They did the deal with the windscreen company and I paid MMC direct and then claimed it back from the insurance company.

Check with your windscreen company as I am guessing you will be wasting your time taking it to them directly. Can't remember which company were my insurers approved repairers but they wouldn't look at it without the clam coming off. Secondly get everything approved by your insurers. My last company paid up to a max of £1k whilst my current one will only pay up to £500.

Craig at MMC will keep you right. Liaise closely with him and all will be well

[Rich H]

My S1 screen was fitted without touching the clam...

[Stewart]

My S1 screen was fitted without touching the clam...

Looks like Leigh has an S2 exige (if his avatar is his car). I agree, I know that an S1 elise can be done by at worst slackening the clam but I understand that an S2 exige is clam off although would be delighted to proven wrong

[dirkpitt]

Okay update 1......

Thanks for the great feedback...top class as always!

I have spoken to auto windscreens and explained that is not a straightforward typical job, and they assured me that they are aware that there are access problems and that they will remove or slacken any panels to fit the new windscreen. Although, when chatting to the person she kept saying, yes we will remove the front bonnet! , to which I said oh front clam you mean so that was a bit worrying .......but, when I take it into the shop, ill have a quick chat with the technician anyway.......

i have also emailed Craig at MMC to see what he has to say; and i await his answer.....



Leigh

P.S. yeah ive a exige S2

[dirkpitt]

Ok update two on the windscreen fitment (if anyone is interested).

After a lot of towing and furrowing with the insurance company...they finally told me, I am not covered for the clam to be taken off.
Therefore, I decided to take it off myself. Skinflint I know, but I could really do with the 418 quid needed to do the job at MMC...sorry guys.

Anyway, auto windscreens were accommodating and let me take the clam of in there garage. It took me 3hrs to do and to be honest was not as bad as I first thought. I had done a lot of research and reading online before hand, but I had a decent tool kit, jack and axle stands.

The most annoying area is defo the quarter panel and door hinge area. Access is non-exsistant, and fiddly. The rest was not bad to do. However, you do not have to lift the clam right off for the windscreen to be fitted as I discovered when I chatted to the auto guys; As long as they can get a reasonable access to the bottom edge of the windscreen( as shug had stated). They used strips of foam to protect the clam edges.

Also, I discovered a thing, such as the clam must have been off before! Because there were some bolts missing .

Anyway...all I all a success and the auto guys did a grand job!

Moral of the story is, its do able!



leigh

P.S. also fitted some CL R05+ front pads, which was a doodle too…….impressed with the look of them. Didn’t expected the backing to be a copper bronze material….very swish.

[cla5h]

Never taken a clam off myself, main reason being it doesn't seem like a great idea doing it on the road, so well done for managing it.

[dirkpitt]

quote="Scott M"]Never taken a clam off myself, main reason being it doesn't seem like a great idea doing it on the road, so well done for managing it.[/quote]
yeah taking the clam off on the road would of added to the drama scott i must admit....also, you have to be prepared to face a possible show stopper with a screw or bolt being seized!!.....i found that one or two bolts were quiet bad and i was probably lucky i could get them off.

for the bump.