31 Roadster windshield opens inward at speed

bluesman31

bluesman31

Senior Member
One thing that has bugged the hack out of me and I never seem to get around to resolving is as follows:

On my 31 deluxe roadster, over speeds of around 40 MPH the windshield flips inward due to the wind pressure. It had rubber gaskets all round the frame. I am sure it is a repro windshield and stanchions. I have cranked down the hardware with no success.

Any tips?
 
Original cones clamp much better than repro cones. I guess I would rig up some kind of stop tab on each windshield post. I would probably make a clamp on side mirror the has metal going inward enough to stop the windshield frame from moving back.
 
'any tips' ?
Yes, locate original parts, if possible. There was a thread sometime ago regarding same subject. Seems that this problem is common, if the amount of posters is any indication. Vince /Marco..take u pick :D are the experts on these open cars and his web site will hopefully help explain to you why this problem occurs.
I myself have a '30 roadster that I put together from parts. The windshield parts are all repro parts, which produce the same problem that you have.
My solution was/is that I put a small device on each side which holds the windshield frame from coming rearward at speed ! I'd much prefer having NOS parts to work with, but wouldn't we all, eh :) !

I can give you pics, of what I did, if that will help you ? However, there are most likely many ways to do the same thing.
 
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My wife was driving her roadster to a show when the windshield moved inward as she was making a turn and the windshield pinched her left hand fingers against the steering wheel and she couldn't move her hand. In pain, she yanked the wheel in the opposite direction and, yes, she then got her right hand fingers trapped the same way! Another yank and she was free but shook up from the possible accident this could have caused.

I took the stanchions and cones apart to clean them and installed a new rubber gasket. Windshield doesn't flip inward anymore.

A windshield flipping in at speed is not only inconvenient but it's dangerous. So, if your car has this problem, it would be prudent to correct it asap.

Glen
 
welcome back Bill!
SILVER DUCT TAPE!!!

you cant fix stupid, but you sure as h-ll can muffle it with duct tape!
 
BILL WILLIAMSON said:
SILVER DUCT TAPE!!!
Bill W.
Click to expand...

Hey Bill,
WELCOME back :) !
I agree with your input whole heartedly, as 'duct' tape is that cure all of modern times...for things that won't stay put :D And, just keeps getting better..have you tried Gorilla tape ?
 
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hardtimes said:
'any tips' ?
Yes, locate original parts, if possible. There was a thread sometime ago regarding same subject. Seems that this problem is common, if the amount of posters is any indication. Vince is the expert on these open cars and his web site will hopefully help explain to you why this problem occurs.
I myself have a '30 roadster that I put together from parts. The windshield parts are all repro parts, which produce the same problem that you have.
My solution was/is that I put a small device on each side which holds the windshield frame from coming rearward at speed ! I'd much prefer having NOS parts to work with, but wouldn't we all, eh :) !

I can give you pics, of what I did, if that will help you ? However, there are most likely many ways to do the same thing.
Click to expand...

Vince, ...or Marco??
 
WellmI guess I will start by taking apart and cleaning the cones and go from there. I was gonna put in some kind of stops, but I didn't want to drill into the stanchions.
 
Carefully unbolt each stanchion in turn from its lower base.

Then see how tight each one is when you tighten the cone and try to twist it .

You may just find just one side is letting the other one down.
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
Original cones clamp much better than repro cones. I guess I would rig up some kind of stop tab on each windshield post. I would probably make a clamp on side mirror the has metal going inward enough to stop the windshield frame from moving back.
Click to expand...

That is what I did. Just more crappy parts that we put up with. It really is not that hard to make parts right. The problem is cost, us Model A people are cheap. We will buy the cheap stuf from who knows where.
 
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