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Freightliner Columbia semi?

Posted: June 19th, 2006, 4:28 pm
by tooldini
I need some advice and tips on doing a windshield on a 2005 Freightliner Columbia I think it is like this truck http://www.baltimorefreightliner.com/toppag2.jpg
Will I need my vertical glass adapter? To me it doesn't look like it but I have never done a semi and this is very important it is for Fedex. Could get my foot in the door or something I figure. It is a very small chip with 1/8" crack I am told. Do you normally flip up the hood to get to the windshield easier or just kinda hang over it and hope you don't roll off LOL. Any help would be appreciated since this is so important to me.

thanks
Jeff

Re: Freightliner Columbia semi?

Posted: June 19th, 2006, 4:43 pm
by GlasWeldTech
I always pull up the hood and stand on the engine. You may get a little dirty. I use glas weld and on the lower suction cup I unscrew it out a little to keep from being so vertical and I also add more resin to the injector than usual due to being so vertical. I can't help you if you use De;ta injectors as I have never used them. It should be a very easy repair though. I have a vertical adapter that I have never used in over 6 years. Unscrewing the bottom suction cup some works for me.

Re: Freightliner Columbia semi?

Posted: June 19th, 2006, 4:53 pm
by sunshine wr
This glass is angled so you won't need the adapter. Yes raise the hood and step around in the engine compartment, but be careful to step only on rigid components. I also use one of these http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A8 ... n=15684181

Re: Freightliner Columbia semi?

Posted: June 19th, 2006, 4:53 pm
by tooldini
Thanks alot I also use glasweld equipment. I got the vertical adapter but have not used it but of course I never thought I needed it till this semi. I have to do the job next monday so I have some time to practice :) thanks again for the help.

Jeff

Re: Freightliner Columbia semi?

Posted: June 19th, 2006, 4:55 pm
by tooldini
Thanks sunshine that may be something I need in the future :)

Jeff

Re: Freightliner Columbia semi?

Posted: June 19th, 2006, 7:08 pm
by GlasWeldTech
Tooldinni,
The only problems with these trucks is when they have installed the sun visors over the tops of the glass. I have had them remove them for me before I show up to do the repairs. This is only when the break is up in the shaded area of the glass. Yes and be sure to only step on sturdy parts such as valve cover, frame, tire, etc. Let us know how it goes for you. Just use a little more resin than normally and unscrew the lower suction cup.

Re: Freightliner Columbia semi?

Posted: June 19th, 2006, 7:47 pm
by tooldini
thanks again.. I will of course make sure I only step on solids LOL I wouldn't wanna tear anything up. I will remember the extra resin and the lower suction cup to back it out a little.

thanks
Jeff

Re: Freightliner Columbia semi?

Posted: June 26th, 2006, 5:26 pm
by tooldini
Thanks for the help. It went pretty good today except the first repair I did didn't turn out like I wanted it was a very tight small crack with no apparent access point. I drilled and it still didn't fill properly :( anyway he let me do 4 more for him and they turned out nice. Made $130.00 in about 4 hours taking my time LOL. I guess no one does fedex trucks here because after looking over 20 trucks we found 13 chips. We placed cards and repair info in all the mailboxes of the drivers that own the semi's. Also the person we did the repairs for is gonna spread the word so this could be a good opportunity for me. I guess I learned a lesson today,, if you think someone must be doing the repairs already you should still try. I assumed someone would already be working the fedex terminal. I was wrong :) and I appreciate you guys helping me at this site

thanks
Jeff

Re: Freightliner Columbia semi?

Posted: June 26th, 2006, 7:59 pm
by GlasWeldTech
When you drilled it maybe you should have popped a small bullseye also. Sometimes it helps. A buddy of mine used to have the fedex fleet in another town here. He used to have to work them at 3:00 AM as all the trucks were in the terminal then. That was the way they wanted it.

Re: Freightliner Columbia semi?

Posted: June 26th, 2006, 8:10 pm
by tooldini
I had thought about popping a bullseye but was nerous it would crack more. I just was just a little nervous since the guy was right there watching and it was important LOL. Next time I am gonna do what I think right off the bat so I don't waste time. This guy wants his done on Sunday or Monday so thats not bad. Thanks for the help glasweldtech ;)

Jeff