1929 Coupe windshield hinge removal

[walkerlakeprinter]

Is the hinge simply attached to the metal head by five 1/4-20x1/2" bolts? My five square nuts are rusted onto the bolts, although after soaking with PB Blaster for several days, I can turn each of the bolts. What would be a good way to proceed? If I could somehow keep enough force with a large screwdriver into the slotted screws underneath, I "might" be able to loosen the nuts. Failing that, at least to maybe twist off the bolt.


Also, do the two rivets on each end of the metal header next to the bolts on each end simply locate the hinge and are not riveted to the hinge? My hinge seems too rusty to try sliding the window hinge apart, so I am thinking about removing it and replacing it with a new one. I see mostly aluminum hinges available, although Snyders shows a steel repo. Any advantages to either one?


I will do more research, but in brief, how does the hinge attach to the windshield frame? I thought it would be obvious, but I haven't been able to figure it out just by looking at it. My glass is still in good shape, but I want to replace the rubber gaskets all around. It seems it will be easier with the windshield off the car.


Thanks for any help or photos you may have. The adventure continues...

[big deuce]

Try heating them as hot as you can with a propane torch, and wick in some birthday candle wax, heat, repeat. I have broke loose the most stubborn rusty nuts and bolts doing this. Just the heat alone may do it. If not I have a windshield frame and hinge assembly if you need one(happy face)

[Dennis Pereira]

This is the only photo I could find of the hinge still attached to the top of the windshield frame .

[Dennis Pereira]

I found another photo after a little cleaning you my have to snap those old rusty nuts off ?

[walkerlakeprinter]

That helps a little bit. Thanks for the photos. I'm still wondering how the hinge is attached to the frame. Is it attached before the glass goes in? I hesitate to take mine apart and open another episode. I'm going to try the propane torch and birthday candle trick and see what happens. If no luck there, I will probably try to shear off the bolts and nuts with a sharp cold chisel. Maybe when I have the hinge and frame out of the car it will all come together in my mind...or what's left of it anyway.

[big deuce]

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A vice grip on each end will twist that bolt off quickly, doesn't look like enough bolt there worthy of saving even if you were to break the rust loose. I would be afraid to use a BFH and cold chisel, especially if your wanting to reuse your glass.

[Dennis Pereira]

Originally Posted by walkerlakeprinter

That helps a little bit. Thanks for the photos. I'm still wondering how the hinge is attached to the frame. Is it attached before the glass goes in? I hesitate to take mine apart and open another episode. I'm going to try the propane torch and birthday candle trick and see what happens. If no luck there, I will probably try to shear off the bolts and nuts with a sharp cold chisel. Maybe when I have the hinge and frame out of the car it will all come together in my mind...or what's left of it anyway.

The two pieces slid together each piece has rolled edge . When you get it off and clean it up it will make sense . I used Electrolysis to clean my frame and hinge it was slow but excellent results in my case .

[walkerlakeprinter]

The trick would be to grab the head of the slotted screw on the underside.....my vice grips just slip off. Any tricks to that? I am sure I will end up twisting the bolts off. I will be surprised if any of the nuts come off. I'll let you know.

[daren007]

Die grinder

[Dennis Pereira]

This is a 1930 coupe windshield frame and hinge I sandblasted this one . I removed the Hinge by placing a wooden block against the end of hinge and tapping it off with a rubber mallet . In case I missed .

[walkerlakeprinter]

One bolt twisted off. Too hot out to do another one today.... I think my grinder can reach the head of two of the bolts......maybe grind them off and pop the bolt up. Two of them might work this way, but it's too tight a fit to get the grinder next to the bolts at two ends.

[walkerlakeprinter]

Update: I forgot that I had an air chisel!! I spent 15 minutes yesterday to remove one bolt. This morning I sharpened up one of my air chisels and popped two bolts out in less than a minute. Now I am going to town to buy bolts that have hex heads and hex nuts.

I have 100' of air hose from a reel inside my garage door, and my coupe body is sitting about 90 feet away. Yes!

[Bob C]

Removing windshield from hinge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBvmX2tuBVo


Bob

[walkerlakeprinter]

Got all the bolts out! Right and left were easy with the air chisel. The one behind the plate that sticks up was trickier, but my chisel was just long enough to reach.

[big deuce]

Very nice...