What not to do when removing your binnacle!

[DAVES_GT3]

Thought id admit to this one so it might make others more careful

Bulb had gone in the clock on my 1997 gt3 and the boost gauge was loose so i decided to remove the cover of the binical.

Bad idea when its 11pm on a sunday evening and swealtering hot!

Followed a few guides i found and looked straight forward. removed the 10mm bolt and two screws. got the cover loose, then jammed between the binical and the windscreen. one momentary shuve and grunt later, SMASH, there goes the windscreen!

BEWARE its easily done. i didnt push that hard either. Was gutted at the time but found the funny side after it had a small chip passenger side anyway.

Edited September 8, 2005 by evil_dr_fish

[dmckenna]

PMSL

I did EXACTLY the same on my Yellow GT3 exactly one year ago. Ironically too my name is also David. The crack looked almost identical too !!!!!!!!!

Bizzzzzzzzar

[Paul C]

I'm not up on my sci-fi, but i think if you two

ever occupy the same room, something bad

happens to the timeline...

[Guest teigan]

that's a cute mock tudor in the photo.

my windshield is currently cracked too. a parking attendant leaned on it and left a giant handprint and crack underneath. i still can't find anyone local to guarantee work on a replacement. may have to do it myself.

[paul&paula]

careful...... replacing the screen is a major job..... the insurance companies "prefferred" installer probably wont have a clue. It's nothing like the half hour job they're usually used to in the company sheds they deal with...

The Esprit windscreen has to be glued in and left (preferably overnight) and make sure they replace the spacers and gaskets with new Lotus ones... if they try to use the old it will leak.

Max at Lakeside spends a lot of his time replacing "autoglass" and the like bodge ups......

When mine whent there was no way I was letting some idiot, who probably previously was a floor sweeper and was "trained" for half a day, loose on my car..... so Lakeside got it.... and

[Mark Blanchard]

Last winter, on a very cold day, I thought I'd wash my car, with nice boiling hot water, what a good idea. So squeeze the sponge full of hot water and put it on to the windscreen. Then to my horror, watch my screen crack into 5 parts .

[DAVES_GT3]

Last winter, on a very cold day, I thought I'd wash my car, with nice boiling hot water, what a good idea.  So squeeze the sponge full of hot water and put it on to the windscreen.  Then to my horror, watch my screen crack into 5 parts .

[Mark Blanchard]

Ok so now im worried.

What if they wont replace the windscreen seals and spacers?

Was it RAC you had it done at in the finish as that is the apointed fitter for my insurance company.

The RAC were apointed by the insurance company and they paid up. They will replace the seals, as you can't fit the screen without them.

I contacted Lotus about the spacers. They recommended using them

[pauli]

hi Dave,

yep been there, mine was caused when i was fitting the binnicle back in the car. After three years off the road it was the last job to do before i went out and had a run. The day had already been one of those annoying days working on the car so my patience was thin. Well anyway i couldn`t get the bolts to line up with the binnicle and so i gave the binnicle one of those p***ed off hits, and low and behold, BANG!!! big crack, nearly brought me to tears.

I had mine done via the RAC, they had the car for 3 days to do the job, the end job looked very good, but as the car does not see rain i don`t know if it has sealed properly.

Well i know i have learn`t the hard way, but at least we noiw know how sensitive these screens are, good luck Dave. Oh and yes i did take the car out that day with a big crack in the screen.

[DAVES_GT3]

hi Dave,

yep been there, mine was caused when i was fitting the binnicle back in the car. After three years off the road it was the last job to do before i went out and had a run. The day had already been one of those annoying days working on the car so my patience was thin. Well anyway i couldn`t get the bolts to line up with the binnicle and so i gave the binnicle one of those p***ed off hits, and low and behold, BANG!!! big crack, nearly brought me to tears.

        I had mine done via the RAC, they had the car for 3 days to do the job, the end job looked very good, but as the car does not see rain i don`t know if it has  sealed properly.

        Well i know i have learn`t the hard way, but at least we noiw know how sensitive these screens are, good luck Dave. Oh and yes i did take the car out that day with a big crack in the screen.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ha ha im glad in a way a few others have had the same problem.

just got back from the RAC depot. the guy who i spoke to did seem quite competant. but there was what looks like a trainee to the there

asked them to see if they will replace the seals and spacers. he said the spacers werent a problem but the seal on top is only for show purposes. i know this is the case on other vehicals but im unsure about the esprit. he said usually they are siliconed in which i have seen before too.

i supose as long as it is sealed in correctly and the seal sits back on top ok then there wont be a problem. he says ha ha!

they also couldnt find the exact screen thats why i have just popped down.

they found one but it didnt have the blue tinted sun strip at the top.

hoping this will mean it will have to come directly from lotus

i did suggest it to him anyway but he is going to find a phone a few more suppliers first.

will let you all know how i get on.

Dave

[Mark Blanchard]

Ok, just don

[lrg_machine]

I had the screen on my S4s fitted by RAC auto windscreens and apart from them getting the wrong screen first ( didn't have the sun strip which I insisted on it having ) they fitted it no problem, I had to wait a few hours before driving off but found them curteous and competent.

Although when they phoned me to book the car in they said

"We can pick the car up and deliver it back to you if you like"

My reply

Like F**K you will, I'll bring it to your depot.

[DAVES_GT3]

I had the screen on my S4s fitted by RAC auto windscreens and apart from them getting the wrong screen first ( didn't have the sun strip which I insisted on it having ) they fitted it no problem, I had to wait a few hours before driving off but found them curteous and competent.

Although when they phoned me to book the car in they said

"We can pick the car up and deliver it back to you if you like"

My reply

Like F**K you will, I'll bring it to your depot.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yep they said they found the screen but no sun strip so thats when i said it will have to come from lotus then.

they seem ok.

IN NO WAY ARE THEY PICKING IT UP AND COLLECTING IT!

Might have been born at night but it wasnt last night!

Dave

[docf]

There are no "seals", there are 3 trim pieces at the top and sides. These are cosmetic only as the glass is glued in all the way around. I did this job myself on my car and it took me 2 hours tops. Do yourself a favor and have them remove the A pliiar trim pieces so they dont get damaged in the process. As far as spacers, I used 1/8" pieces of plastic to properly position the glass. I was careful not to damage the trim pieces "seals" when removing them and glued them right back in once everything was done.

[Guest teigan]

There are no "seals", there are 3 trim pieces at the top and sides.  These are cosmetic only as the glass is glued in all the way around.  I did this job myself on my car and it took me 2 hours tops.  Do yourself a favor and have them remove the A pliiar trim pieces so they dont get damaged in the process.  As far as spacers, I used 1/8" pieces of plastic to properly position the glass. I was careful not to damage the trim pieces "seals" when removing them and glued them right back in once everything was done.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

well done! i've been told by everyone the trim pieces are impossible to remove without dimpling. i'm inspired and will try replacing the screen myself. as both the lotus garages and dedicated auto glass shops, are unwilling to guarantee the install, i may as well learn the skill. my parts source in goleta will arrange the windscreen to be shipped in a special $100 box which later serves as a work stand to lay the glass on. did you have helpers when you lifted and positioned the glass?

[tinywillyuk]

I did it too! Three years ago.. push that binnacle back.. a little more.. just a little more and..oops it went with a very very loud bang - although only a single crack.

RAC did mine at the depot - and I wish I'd stayed to watch - the new screen leaked, and the GRP adjacent to the bottom of the screen was gouged to buggery - and still is despite complaints..

Oh yes - and another note - talking to the insurers they needed me to insist it was a stonechip to ensure a payout. One mother of a stone..

Simon

[nicknick68]

I had axactly same problem removing the binnacle of my ESPRIT S4 1994. I have payed 650 Euro for a new glass throght LOTUS CLUB ITALY, at Lotus Shop the price was 1400 Euro !!!

Then I spent 120 Euro for the job.

What a waste of money only to replace a bulb lamp of 2 Euros !!!

[DAVES_GT3]

ok so its finally done after about a month!!!!

they did need the trims/seals as they ripped them getting them off. still waiting for one which will be another couple of weeks. the screens in thats the main thing.

may have a leak though i cant tell yet.

hope not because thats just going to piss me off even more.

will will see of the next few days!!

Back to the gear shift translator now!!

Dave

[Guest teigan]

i'm waiting for trim seals too. currently can't get them at any price in north america. i want to make carbon fiber copies from an original set.

[DAVES_GT3]

i'm waiting for trim seals too.  currently can't get them at any price in north america.  i want to make carbon fiber copies from an original set.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

they have done the top and bottom and off side but the near side they said were missing from the parcel.

will wait and see over the next couple of weeks

dave

[Taro]

Is it possible to be supplied with the windscreen on the insurance and do it yourself?

I would have thought the insurance would pay autoglass or whoever's doing it for the full job.

If it's an option I know which one I'd go for. I've seen the quality of work from some windscreen fitters and it's not good!

[DAVES_GT3]

Is it possible to be supplied with the windscreen on the insurance and do it yourself?

I would have thought the insurance would pay autoglass or whoever's doing it for the full job.

If it's an option I know which one I'd go for. I've seen the quality of work from some windscreen fitters and it's not good!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

wouldnt have thought so. Legal/saftey issues etc.

plus there going to be guaranteed the work. contracts and all that.

dave