Screen replacement

[cleverusername]

I have a chipped and damaged windscreen, but I now also have a clean undamaged salvaged screen. So I need to switch them.

The seal on the car is good, but I don't know if it will be reuseable. What additional materials do I need? What is the best way to do it? Do you use sealant?

Does anyone know of a garage/tradesperson in the Yorkshire area who can switch a classic screen like a dolly?

[MIG Wielder]

My experience of trying to get a Sprint screen replaced was not good. None of the local places wanted to do it because of the risk of breaking it in the removal process. In the end I approached the fitter of a multi-national who was working on a friends car. He happily took it on, but did say there was a small risk of breakage, but did an excellent neat, leak free job for "beer tokens".

[Toledo Man]

This is definitely a DIY job. I've replaced the windscreen on my 1850. I recommend replacing the trim strip because the old one will be brittle and will inevitably break when you remove it. The workshop manual recommends using sealant when fitting the screen. I didn't use any and mine was leak free so I must've got lucky. The only other thing to do once the screen is out is to check the area for any rot.

Let me know if you decide to take this job on. I'd be more than happy to help.

[SprintMWU773V]

I have removed screens and not broken them and also have broken them. I have never replaced one but it doesn't look that difficult, arguably easier than a modern bonded in screen. I would use a sealant as recommended in the manual, the seals aren't great and will be even less good second time around.

[Edin Dundee]

I've seen it done many times and assisted a couple of times. I removed my screen easily enough one-handed.
Put several blankets or layers of bubble wrap on the bonnet.
Remove the old plastic trim and bin. (keep the joint hider if in good nick).
Very carefully and slowly (in the sunshine on a warm day or heat the rubber with a hair dryer) start pushing the screen out from inside the car - try lots of places/all corners until a weak spot is found and work slowly from there. Be careful, take it easy. Force is required, but steady and no sudden movements. Eventually the seal will start to give, near the end it will go quite quickly, hence the blankets or bubble wrap.
Remove the dash vents.
Use paracord or electrical wire to fit the new screen and seal....two people required.
Fit the seal to the screen, wrap the cord around the inside of the seal, with the cross-over of the cord at the bottom.
Place the screen and seal over the opening, ENSURE it is absolutely central!
From inside the car start pulling the cord, one end at a time, using a wiggling motion and taking care not to split the new rubber. Some people use lube on the cord prior to this, and some use sealant in the groove (messy but probably best). The other person needs to push on the screen as in CPR movements!
Once the new screen is in, poke, prod, push the seal to ensure it's correctly seated.
Put sealant under the edges of the screen rubber.
Using some lube fit your new trim.

This works for me, hopefully others can throw in their tuppence worth and you can decide what might best work for you.
Search youtube!

[Pippin]

It occurs to me that it might be a good idea to use sealant between the rubber and opening even if it isn't strictly necessary, if only to prevent moisture getting under the rubber and rusting the edges of the opening.