I just had to replace my alpine glass roof. Some dumb animal forgot his senes and tried to fix the Yakima cargo box on the roof that he just broke. . .by climing up on the roof and resting all his weight on one knee, on the glass. . . I am that dumb animal and I am $1,200 dollars lighter for it. . .
Hail Storms and the LR3
- Thread starter Mhaise57
- Start date
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I think if you spread the weight, that is the key. Also, ensure you don't have anything that could pinpoint your weight as well. I think the ultimate cause of my breakage that I had also just been kneeling in a gravel area in the campsite. It was hot/sweat. I am thinking that I likely had a few small pebbles/gravel/dirt/ stuck on the same knee that I then kneeled directly on the glass with. In examining the break, you can clearly see a pinpoint breakage point. Then it shattered all around from there.
The good news. . .the glass stayed all put together and was watertight for the rest of the trip (3 weeks in the backwoods U.P. of MI and the 1200 miles back home to TX.)
I helped take the old glass out and put the new glass in. It is two thick sheets of glass with a relatively thin sheet of plastic/rubber in between. What struck me was the strength and rigidty of the glass panel itself. You could pick it up and have it somewhat off balance from one side to the orther with zero flex.
By the way, interestingly the only thing holding the glass roof in is glue. There are zero attachement points other than adhesive. The adhesive goes all around the edges, and then two strips in the center section.
It was kind of cool seeing the LR3 with the glass roof out. It was like a off road convertible. I did instantly start thinking about ways to add a lift up roof with a tent sleeper and a fiberglass top ala VW Eurovan Weekender package. . .
The good news. . .the glass stayed all put together and was watertight for the rest of the trip (3 weeks in the backwoods U.P. of MI and the 1200 miles back home to TX.)
I helped take the old glass out and put the new glass in. It is two thick sheets of glass with a relatively thin sheet of plastic/rubber in between. What struck me was the strength and rigidty of the glass panel itself. You could pick it up and have it somewhat off balance from one side to the orther with zero flex.
By the way, interestingly the only thing holding the glass roof in is glue. There are zero attachement points other than adhesive. The adhesive goes all around the edges, and then two strips in the center section.
It was kind of cool seeing the LR3 with the glass roof out. It was like a off road convertible. I did instantly start thinking about ways to add a lift up roof with a tent sleeper and a fiberglass top ala VW Eurovan Weekender package. . .
dantheman1
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Hey schafari,
Could you do a quick write up of how you took out the old glass and put the new one in? What tools you used, what type of glue, etc? My roof has a crack about 7in. through the 2nd row sunroof and will prob need replacement soon. The dealer was asking ~$300 for the glass roof, which is pretty reasonable, but about $900 for installation. You got me thinking that I could probably do it myself. Thanks!
Could you do a quick write up of how you took out the old glass and put the new one in? What tools you used, what type of glue, etc? My roof has a crack about 7in. through the 2nd row sunroof and will prob need replacement soon. The dealer was asking ~$300 for the glass roof, which is pretty reasonable, but about $900 for installation. You got me thinking that I could probably do it myself. Thanks!
The Apline roof glass is only available from the dealer. $300 sounds like a steal. I would be all over that. The job is relatively simple as long as you are extremely careful. The only hard/frusterating part will be getting the old glass out.
- Remove roof rails - About four screws each side. Catuion, delicate screws that are put in with locktite. You may want to have a spare or to if you break one. Try not to as they are hard to get out if they break.
- Cut the sealant bead all around the edges of the glass. This is basically a perimeter bead that goes around the outside of the glass. Big rectangle.
- Cut the sealant bead that goes through the middle of the glass. This is the hard one. As crazy as it sounds, you could use a saw z all with a longish blade to cut the bead. It will make a horrible noise, and likely crack the glass further but it is the factory method of removing.
- With two people, push up on the panel with one person in the truck lifting one side. Other person holds up. First person gets out, and goes to the other side and lifts up that side. Both move in unison to lift off the panel from the back of the truck. Use gloves.
- You then have a bit of prep work to do. You have to prep the OEM panal with cleaner and then glue primer where the new bead will go. You also have to remove all the old sealant material from the truck. Scrape and clean off all old stuff.
- Deep breath
- Once all prepped, lay down the new sealant bead. I can't remember the name of the sealant, but it is top quality. I think it was from 3M and it is really expensive. Like $25 per tube. Looks like a typical sealant/caulk tube. You have some time to then place the panel.
- Two people carefully lift over the back of the truck and move it up into position. Carefully drop one side at a time. Line up the panel, and drop one side. Quickly position and lay down other side. Push down and let settle. Ensure no problems.
- Replace roof rails
- Let settle for 4 hours until the sealant sets up
- Don't wash for 24 hours at least
- Try to vent the truck as it will smell as the sealant off gases. (Don't plan on being in the truck for extended closed in periods as the off gassing is very powerful.)
- Note, you will need good open space around the truck, including a number of feet above it. I wouldn't do it outside, nor when you need the truck soon afterwards.
- Note, there are two types of OEM panels. One with a bracket on the back and one without. This is for the electronics. Get the right one, as if you try to use the one with the bracket and try to simply take the bracket off. . .you will likely break the glass trying.
- Remove roof rails - About four screws each side. Catuion, delicate screws that are put in with locktite. You may want to have a spare or to if you break one. Try not to as they are hard to get out if they break.
- Cut the sealant bead all around the edges of the glass. This is basically a perimeter bead that goes around the outside of the glass. Big rectangle.
- Cut the sealant bead that goes through the middle of the glass. This is the hard one. As crazy as it sounds, you could use a saw z all with a longish blade to cut the bead. It will make a horrible noise, and likely crack the glass further but it is the factory method of removing.
- With two people, push up on the panel with one person in the truck lifting one side. Other person holds up. First person gets out, and goes to the other side and lifts up that side. Both move in unison to lift off the panel from the back of the truck. Use gloves.
- You then have a bit of prep work to do. You have to prep the OEM panal with cleaner and then glue primer where the new bead will go. You also have to remove all the old sealant material from the truck. Scrape and clean off all old stuff.
- Deep breath
- Once all prepped, lay down the new sealant bead. I can't remember the name of the sealant, but it is top quality. I think it was from 3M and it is really expensive. Like $25 per tube. Looks like a typical sealant/caulk tube. You have some time to then place the panel.
- Two people carefully lift over the back of the truck and move it up into position. Carefully drop one side at a time. Line up the panel, and drop one side. Quickly position and lay down other side. Push down and let settle. Ensure no problems.
- Replace roof rails
- Let settle for 4 hours until the sealant sets up
- Don't wash for 24 hours at least
- Try to vent the truck as it will smell as the sealant off gases. (Don't plan on being in the truck for extended closed in periods as the off gassing is very powerful.)
- Note, you will need good open space around the truck, including a number of feet above it. I wouldn't do it outside, nor when you need the truck soon afterwards.
- Note, there are two types of OEM panels. One with a bracket on the back and one without. This is for the electronics. Get the right one, as if you try to use the one with the bracket and try to simply take the bracket off. . .you will likely break the glass trying.
outcold33
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hmm sounds kinda easy but lots of chances to screw up. My roof has a nice ding in the back with a 6 in crack, but it doesn't leak, doesn't whistle nothing. should i even bother replacing it or just try to seal it for now and wait until it gets worse?
Yeah, you know what is funny. . .I shattered mine at the beginning of a 28 day expedition. I was worried that I couldn't continue. How wrong. Mine had a huge shatter that covered and area the size of the rear seat, and had spider cracks that spread out as well. It lasted forever. . . I put painters tape on it and that may or may not have helped, but it held up just fine for litteraly thousands of miles. It also held up on the expedition which included a ton of off-roading.
Frankly, I was shocked at how long it lasted just fine. So, you likely could wait some. I did not have it during the winter, only during the summer, so I am not sure what the heat/cold cycling would do.
Keep in mind, it is actually three sheets. It has two outer layers of glass, and a center section of heavy plastic. I would think that just because the glass breaks, I'll bet the plastic stays good and prevents leaks. . .not sure, but that is my theory.
Frankly, I was shocked at how long it lasted just fine. So, you likely could wait some. I did not have it during the winter, only during the summer, so I am not sure what the heat/cold cycling would do.
Keep in mind, it is actually three sheets. It has two outer layers of glass, and a center section of heavy plastic. I would think that just because the glass breaks, I'll bet the plastic stays good and prevents leaks. . .not sure, but that is my theory.
