Center windshield bracket - FFCars.com : Factory Five Racing Discussion Forum

dwheeler · 10-02-2012, 01:18 AM

Take a look at the center bottom of the windshield for the support bracket:

I don't know if the current kits have this, but if you don't have one, you need to make one. I'm sure it will reduce the # of cracked winshields.

Instead of glass for my 3rd windshield, I got one of the lexan ones. It is extremely flimsy compared to the glass. The windshield looked like it was going to jump off the car when going over a rough section of highway. I saw the 2 hole at the center bottom and made a bracket to go there. It greatly improved the windshield flopping problem. Then I noticed the bracket in this photo. My differs a bit in that I made it tuck underneath and screwed it to the cowl from under the rubber trim.

Maybe this will save a few windshields.

GWL · 10-02-2012, 01:45 AM

This modification is something I've been thinking about for some time but not for the reason you are now thinking. Good point you have made here.

It is in a position that is really going to be hard to fasten the screws both to the cowling and window frame.

It will be something I'll tackle at a later date if I figure out a way to do it.

It is not included in the kits.

In addition, a few of the original Cobras had a bar extending from that bracket up to the top of the windshield frame.

I tried to find a picture but photobucket is not working for me tonight.

George

edwardb · 10-02-2012, 02:18 AM

Is your windshield sitting tight against the body? Based on the number of threads and pictures I've seen, seems like there's a lot of variation on how well the curve of the windshield fits on the body. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones because my Mk3 windshield is pulled tight over the cowl with good deflection of the rubber gasket. I've driven about 1700 miles on the less than smooth Michigan roads this year and don't notice any windshield issues. I've noticed those two holes in the center of the windshield as well, and some other brand replicas do install the bracket there. But I'm wondering if it's really necessary if the windshield is fitting well otherwise.

Although I don't have any personal experience, that center rod I think is intended as a sliding mount for the rear view mirror. Not to reinforce the windshield in some way. But I could be wrong.

CRZN 427 · 10-02-2012, 09:28 AM

The bracket at the bottom of the windshield will help stop movement of the windshield caused from wind buffeting. The problem is that it can also allow the bottom frame to separate from the glass, and that can adversly affect the glass.

Installing the lower bracket is one of the areas, like the visor mount screws, that the screws go directly into the space occupied by the glass. It is very easy to crack the glass with these screws if they go too deep into the holes. That leaves about 1/16" of material to restrain the wind pressure trying to push the top of the windshield back.

The screws into the body in that area also can pull out of the fiberglass if there isn't adequate reinforcement under the body, like fender washers or a plate to thread into.

Adding the windshield brace will prevent the bottom of the glass from separeting from the frame. It also helps prevent separation of the frame at the top from the wind lift of a top. The bottom connection will still be a problem if extreme caution is not taken regarding the length of the screws.

I made one for my old kit (an LAExotics) and found that it did help dampen the shake of the windshield, I haven't decided whether or not to have one on the FFR because the body mounts differently. The body on the LAE was more fixed in place as it was a strressed part of the overall structure and was resin bonded to the firewall.

HTH Regards, Rick.

RobCYoung · 10-02-2012, 02:53 PM

I went to mount the mirror support rod (Finishline) to the bottom frame of the windshield and found that the holes were not tapped with a thread like the ones on the windshield side supports so I fabricated a bracket from alum. that bolts through the body and sits tight up againsts windshield frame at the bottom. It holds the whole windshield tight to the body and stiffens up the windshield. This helps minimize the possibility of the windshield cracking from the screws and provides the reinforcing required for a convertible top. If anyone is interested I can post a picture later.
/Rob

CRZN 427 · 10-02-2012, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobCYoung

I went to mount the mirror support rod (Finishline) to the bottom frame of the windshield and found that the holes were not tapped with a thread like the ones on the windshield side supports so I fabricated a bracket from alum. that bolts through the body and sits tight up againsts windshield frame at the bottom....I can understand how something like this woiuld help keep the bottom of the windshield from pushing back.... It holds the whole windshield tight to the body...Bit I don't see how it would hold the bottom tight to the body unless there is a little lip that hooks over the windshield frame, which would still allow the glass to lift out of the frame.... and stiffens up the windshield. This helps minimize the possibility of the windshield cracking from the screws and provides the reinforcing required for a convertible top. If anyone is interested I can post a picture later.
/Rob

I am always interested in seeing new ideas so please post the picture,

Regards, Rick.

CCRsAC · 10-02-2012, 06:33 PM

Here's a close-up photo of one of these brackets. This is one of the original CSX 2xxx series (289) street cars, but I didn't get a chassis number off of it. It was at Road America for the Hawk (Brian Redman vintage races) in July 2012. I have more detail photos of that car's dash, carpet, and front wheel well vents, if anyone is interested, as well as a few photos of a couple other CSX2xxx cars that were in the paddock (street cars, too) during the Fall Vintage Fest at RA just a few weeks ago.

CRZN 427 · 10-02-2012, 10:30 PM

[quote=CCRsAC;2720353]Here's a close-up photo of one of these brackets. This is one of the original CSX 2xxx series (289) street cars, but I didn't get a chassis number off of it. It was at Road America for the Hawk (Brian Redman vintage races) in July 2012. I have more detail photos of that car's dash, carpet, and front wheel well vents, if anyone is interested, as well as a few photos of a couple other CSX2xxx cars that were in the paddock (street cars, too) during the Fall Vintage Fest at RA just a few weeks ago.

...Image deleted for my comment post...

CCRsAC,

If that was posted in response to my post, it isn't what I need to see, I'm familiar with the original style bracket, I have made a couple of them myself. If not please don't take my comments as a complaint.

I'm interested in seening what RobCYoung made for his application.

Regards, Rick.

RobCYoung · 10-03-2012, 01:25 AM

Here is the windshield hold down bracket I made. It is attached through the body but only attaches to the windshield at the top. The bracket I made attaches to the Finishline bracket and connects it to the body. It stiffens the windshield and helps hold it down onto the body.

dwheeler · 10-03-2012, 01:37 AM

I've been looking for one of those center rods. But I want it to go down to where the mirror is so that it is triangulated. I should make a video of how much the windshield with lexan is flopping around. The top will move more than 1".

Also, this center bracket will greatly reduce the small vibrations of the windshield that causes the rubber strip to sand off your paint under it. I found that little surprise when installing windshield #2. I put clear tape under it to prevent further damage.

CCRsAC · 10-03-2012, 04:03 AM

[quote=CRZN 427;2720469]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCRsAC

Here's a close-up photo of one of these brackets. This is one of the original CSX 2xxx series (289) street cars, but I didn't get a chassis number off of it. It was at Road America for the Hawk (Brian Redman vintage races) in July 2012. I have more detail photos of that car's dash, carpet, and front wheel well vents, if anyone is interested, as well as a few photos of a couple other CSX2xxx cars that were in the paddock (street cars, too) during the Fall Vintage Fest at RA just a few weeks ago.

...Image deleted for my comment post...

CCRsAC,

If that was posted in response to my post, it isn't what I need to see, I'm familiar with the original style bracket, I have made a couple of them myself. If not please don't take my comments as a complaint.

I'm interested in seening what RobCYoung made for his application.

Regards, Rick.

No worries, Rick, I was just posting the more detailed photo of what is shown in the photo posted at the start of this thread.

cobrathegreat · 10-03-2012, 05:16 AM

somewhere here is a picture of the bracket as well. Post #6, last picture.

CSX 3049 - One of the original S/C cars - Lots of pics

datsun280z · 10-03-2012, 06:44 AM

Never thought about that problem...

Thanks

CRZN 427 · 10-03-2012, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobCYoung

Here is the windshield hold down bracket I made. It is attached through the body but only attaches to the windshield at the top. The bracket I made attaches to the Finishline bracket and connects it to the body. It stiffens the windshield and helps hold it down onto the body.

RobCYoung,

That is an interesting set-up. I'll bet that getting the screws into the bottom of the windshield frame is a fun experience.

CCRsAC,

Thanks for the clarification.

dwheeler,

I used Black Electrical tape to cover the chaffed area and prevent further damage. I set it up so the edge of the tape ligned up with the front edge of the seal lip.

I made a bracket similar to the one in this picture, except it has the leg to attach to the body. I made it all in one piece and it is still a bugger to get installed with the windshield in place.

Regards, Rick.

RobCYoung · 10-03-2012, 12:20 PM

I have the CNC quick release windshield brackets so I was able to slide the windshield up, assemble everything & slide it back in place. The lower bracket is not screwed to the windshield frame. I put a piece of rubber between the bracket & frame.

CRZN 427 · 10-03-2012, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobCYoung

I have the CNC quick release windshield brackets so I was able to slide the windshield up, assemble everything & slide it back in place. The lower bracket is not screwed to the windshield frame. I put a piece of rubber between the bracket & frame.

Now that you point it our I can see the rubber in there, not so obvious when first looking at the picture. So what it does is keep the bottom of the windsield from pushing back, due to wind pressure, and holds the "up-lift", if any, from the top of the windshield frame.

Do you have any reinforcement below the body for the fastiners through the dash?

That is different and unique, thanks for sharing your design.

Regards, Rick.

dwheeler · 10-03-2012, 05:17 PM

Here's the bracket that I made, just in case it provides more ideas.

convincor · 10-03-2012, 05:44 PM

I had made one for my car.
Attached to windshield before installing, then the screws thru the body with washers and nylocks underneath. Hold top from turning with driver bit and 1/4" wrench and while tightening from bottom.

RobCYoung · 10-03-2012, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRZN 427

Now that you point it our I can see the rubber in there, not so obvious when first looking at the picture. So what it does is keep the bottom of the windsield from pushing back, due to wind pressure, and holds the "up-lift", if any, from the top of the windshield frame.

Do you have any reinforcement below the body for the fastiners through the dash?

That is different and unique, thanks for sharing your design.

Regards, Rick.

Hi CRZN, I didn't put any reinforcement where the screws go through the body just a washer. The shell is quite thick. My whole front cowl is stiffened as I used North Race Cars fiberglas plenum bonded to the underside and my windshield sits right down with the bottom seal of the windshield gasket pressing against the body and a uniform curve where the front lip touches the body. I just have the tension snug and figure the wind pressure would be pushing back and down against the body with minimal up lift. I am planning to put a convertible top on it and that was part of the reason to go with the rod & mirror.
Maybe I will put a backing plate on the inside of the body when I pull things apart for paint as it is quick to do.
As I mentioned in my first post this bracket started as a fix to the fact that my windshield didn't have the holes in the windshield frame threaded so I was going to have to take the windshield frame apart again to cut a thread. I then started thinking it would be a good idea not to secure the windshield lower frame to the body because the glass is only held by a gasket and that it would be better to let it just rest against the body and be held down from the top which distributes any load over the whole windshield & frame. The rod is required for uplift tension imposed by the convertible top. I did think about facing the bottom bracket forwards under the windshield gasket but was concerned that the bracket plate and screws would interrupt the seal and it would leak. (bracket is made from polished .040 6061 alum and is plenty rigid with no flex)
I was pleased that it was a fix that solved a bunch of problems and looks neat and simple.