Windwings

Thom IV

Thom IV

Senior Member
Gentlemen:

I've had two windwing windows fall off the right side of my Model A while driving. There were no instructions with the windwing clamps I purchased, so i proceeded to attach the glass the best I could figure out. Applied the tape, then tightened the clamps against the tape. All seemed secure. The first glass came off in less than 10 miles. The second after 100 miles. I haven't the sightest idea of what I didn't do right. Is there a set procedure
for attaching the windwings? Have others had similar problems? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. I'm thinking seriously of drilling the glass and the clamps to prevent this happening again.

T. I. A.

Thom IV
 

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  • May 18, 2010 Model A Ford Rdstr 003.jpg
    May 18, 2010 Model A Ford Rdstr 003.jpg
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Thom, great looking roadster there. Are the wheels 16 or 17's.I have the windwings on mine with no problems. Did you use the rubber strips and tighten the clamps properly to get the best pressure?
 
The wheels are 16 inch. i used the rubberized tape that came with the set and tightened the clamps as tight as I could. I at least did it half right as the left side has stayed put.
 
Having experienced the same problem I used some black windshield sealer/adhesive under the rubber strips. That was years ago and they are still tight.
 
I had the same problem, always the right side windwing. Once it fell off and smashed, once it fell off and hit the running board and I was able to get it back with a chip out of it, a couple times it was saved by a passenger with real quick reaction time to grab it as it slipped out.
I asked this same question as you, several years ago when I first discovered fordbarn, and got a good tip from a fellow who suggested getting golf club rubber grip tape to use between the glass and the clamp. I have not had any problems since. You may have to double it up as it is not very thick.
 
Tom try a layer of good contact cement on each of the rubber that was in the kit then tighten up tight and let it set over nite works well Gord. B by the Bay
 
After losing two on the right side of my 40B, I smeared slow set epoxy (1 hr) on the glass contact area. That gave me plenty of time to adjust position and clean off the excess with solvent before they set. The next day I removed the fasteners and put Loctite blue on them. I wonder what secured the factory originals? Did anybody make it home from the dealer without losing one?
 
I had the same problems. It seemed that the rubber strips furnished with the new clamp kit were not very sticky, maybe dried-out somewhat? Also, its difficult to adjust the clamp to make full, and even contact on the rubber strips. A few drops of glass glue on each surface solved the problem fine. If need be in the future, a single edge razor blade would get them apart and clean-up any dried residue.
 
That is what I was going to suggest is buying a modern interior rear view mounting kit and use the glue for the windwings. It seems to hold the inner mirrors tightly. I actually had Torino years ago that the inner mirror fell off after some time, and the glue actually took a little glass with it. I would have to think this should work, but you may not be able to clean them up with a razor later. I couldn't have cleaned the Torino Windshield as it was quite etched and a little pitted where the mirror was.
 
Same problem, except mine was the left side. One clamp came loose and the glass was flapping in the wind. I held it with my left while stopping the car. It happened again a few weeks later.

I played around with the little adjusting screw at the back of the clamp, until it looked like the 2 sides of the clamp would come together in a parallel way, then used some 2-sided carpet tape to get even more grip, and they've both held now for about 2 years.
 
Friction tape will fix the problem, or at least it did mine. Problem is, about the only place you can buy friction tape today is at a store that supplies hockey equipment. Hockey players wrap their stick handles with it. If you put a layer of tape on each side of each rubber--trim to match--then put the clamps on it will be there for years.
 
I went to "Safelite" its a installed Auto glass company.I bought a tube they use for installing windshield frame glass. Its black and must be heated with a heat gun to apply. Just a few drops on the rubber pads and then the clamps. Could be a little messy like black hot tar, but trim before it drys.That windwing glass is not coming off.:D
 
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