Tips from experts on replacing Lada Granta glass with your own hands

Rubble is the most dangerous and unpredictable enemy for a driver on the road. It is impossible to predict from which side it will bounce, especially on a large-tonnage truck. The consequences of contact of crushed stone with the glass surface are very different.

Much depends on the speed at which the “contact” occurred. Over 75 - 80 km/hour is fraught with the risk of getting a crack, the so-called rosette. At lower speeds, only a strong impact is possible. Ultimately, replacing the windshield on a Lada Granta is guaranteed.

Cost and dimensions of front / rear windows of Lada Granta models

Purchasing special additional airflow

This is the cheapest and worst performing method. Many advertisements for these devices on the Internet and on TV say otherwise, but you shouldn’t believe them. The problem with such a windshield heater is that the heat will not spread evenly, but at a certain point. These heating fans themselves are low-power, so you will have to wait a long time for them to melt the glass. However, such additional airflow is very easy to install: just install it on the dashboard and plug it into the cigarette lighter. Additional electric blowing is good only if you warm up the car engine for a long time (you can also warm up the windshield at the same time).

Advantages: Easy installation, low cost

Disadvantages: Long warm-up time, uneven heating plane

Third-party glass manufacturers for Lada Granta. Price category overview

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*prices are current as of September 17, 2018

A list of the most popular and sought-after manufacturers is presented. At the time of purchase, the range may be expanded by new manufacturers. Beware of counterfeits, always ask for a quality certificate for the products you sell, including at official points of sale.

What are the benefits?

People are usually willing to pay more for additional comfort. Moreover, this option is available not only from premium car brands, but also in many Ford Focus trim levels. Heated windshields have recently become available even for domestic cars.

The main advantage of such glasses is the possibility of a quick start in winter. Defrosting of a heated windshield occurs several times faster than with a standard ventilation system. In addition, at the same time the issue of fogging in wet weather is resolved.

A heated windshield retains its transparency much longer. Ordinary glass is constantly cleaned with scrapers in winter. This inevitably leads to micro-scratches. After a few years, a network of scratches leads to clouding of the glass.

What you need to know when choosing glass for the Lada Granta

Original products are always marked with a barcode that stores information about the manufacturer, date, batch number, and standardization.

Basic and mandatory details:

• manufacturer;
• standard;
• batch number;
• in-plant search index.

It is noteworthy that the date of manufacture is indicated in the form of bold black dots in combination with symbols. So, the number “2” and two dots indicate the year of manufacture 2012, the month of December.

Post-installation recommendations

Even when replacing it at a service center, the technicians allow the car to “settle” for at least 2 hours and only then allow the vehicle to be used in a gentle manner.

1. The maximum speed for the first two days is no more than 40 km/h.
2. Avoid bad roads; Drive over potholes, potholes, and speed bumps at minimum speed.
3. You cannot brake or accelerate sharply.
4. It is not recommended to slam doors or play loud music.

After self-installation, it is not recommended to start the engine until 8 hours; you can remove the tape only after 36 hours. It is better to leave the side windows open.

Sequence of actions when replacing glass on a Lada Granta yourself

Windshield

Before replacing, always carry out diagnostics to identify the breakdown, defect, location. So that during the installation process “hidden” breakdowns are not discovered. The accuracy of the calculation will allow you to avoid unnecessary expenses and the purchase of “unnecessary” spare parts and components.

Tools: soil, based on 50 ml. for one windshield/rear window. For side doses, the dose is divided by half. Next, we prepare the string, which is the name of the special device for cutting the seal. You can buy it either at a car dealership or make it yourself: two screwdrivers, between which a string is stretched, a wire with a cross-section of 0.1 cm.

Algorithm

• We install the machine within the perimeter of the repair area, on a flat platform / inspection channel. There is no need to hang it with a hydraulic lift;
• squeeze the handbrake, engage first gear, open the hood;
• Use a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the two bolts on the decorative plastic overlays in the frill area.

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We extract them;

• remove the standard glass stops, external glass seal Lada Granta liftback (sedan);
• in the cabin we remove the front upper trim, rear-view mirror, antenna transmitter, and other equipment installed on the glass;
• in the upper part, carefully pry up the rubber moldings - seals;
• Use a string to cut the rubber layer between the glass and the body, remove the glass using special vacuum suction cups;
• We clean the surface from any remaining rubber coating. For these purposes we use a scalpel, a stationery knife;
• degrease the new glass, apply primer and special glue along the edge;
• the landing site on the hull is also subject to primer treatment;
• Together with a partner, we apply glass, align the gaps on each side, install stops;
• wait 15 - 20 minutes for the glue to set, put on moldings, decorative inserts, windshield wipers;
• In the cabin we complete the installation, fix the rear view mirror and antenna transmitter.

Replacing the windshield of a Lada Granta with your own hands is completed. Provided there are no mechanical damage, body deformation, or frontal impacts, the service life is unlimited.

Rear window

The process of replacing the rear one is similar in sequence to the previous one. The only difference is in the size of the product, and the locking mechanism is completely identical. Replacing the windshield on a Granta liftback is somewhat simplified, since it is not necessary to dismantle part of the rear trim, as is the case in a classic sedan. In all other respects the similarity.

Side windows

Products can also be removed from doorways without much effort. It is necessary to first dismantle the door trim, sound insulation, control unit, electrical wiring package, and guides.

Glass defects that will require replacement

Windshields are replaced if scratches, cracks or scuffs are found on them. Their most dangerous enemies include rubble. The consequences of contact of crushed stone with the surface of the glass may vary, much in this case depends on the speed of the vehicle. For example, contact with crushed stone at a speed of 80 km/h and above is fraught with the appearance of cracks, also known as rosettes, but at a lower speed the consequence will only be a strong blow. But in any case, the car owner is guaranteed to have to change the windshield.

Of course, you can try to quickly repair the glass on which cracks and chips have formed; this will help to avoid the transformation of a small chip into a noticeable crack, which is provoked by vehicle vibrations and temperature changes. Repair cracks and chips on the windshield using a special kit.

Owner reviews about glass quality

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Replacing the trunk lid glass of a Granta liftback sedan yourself is not at all difficult, no special equipment is needed, with the exception of a string. In all other respects, the process is intuitive; if difficulties arise, you can always read the instructions, video materials, or visit a service station for consultation.

Once a split has formed, do not delay repairs. Reduced visibility on the road increases the accident rate and slows down the driver's reaction.

Installation process

When installing glass, a car owner cannot do without a specialized kit for gluing windshields, a glue gun, and a sharp knife. The installation procedure should be carried out in a well-heated room, the humidity in which is approximately 50%, and the air temperature is at least 23C.

Installation begins by removing the remaining sealant, whose thickness at the seams should ultimately not exceed 2 mm. Then the painted edges of the glass are degreased with an activator, and the edges of the body openings are also degreased. The adhesive composition is applied along the entire perimeter of the glass with a distance of 1 cm from the edge, and the width of the adhesive layer should not exceed 8, and the height – 12 mm.

Next, the glass is placed into the opening using suction cups, leaving evenly distributed gaps between its side edges. The wedges are installed downward so that the top of the trim is pressed against the front of the car's roof, after which the glass is pressed against the body. To prevent sliding, the glass is additionally secured to the body with several pieces of adhesive tape (no more than 300 mm long).

Why is heating needed?

(about the positive aspects of use)

At first glance, there are plenty of advantages for using heated auto glass, especially for the conditions of the northern regions of Russia:

• There is much less ice sticking to the wiper blades;
• glass fogs up significantly less;
• snow and ice on the glass quickly melt without settling or forming ice;
• in general, the use of heated glass provides more comfortable driving in any weather and a significant reduction in the time it takes to prepare the car for a trip.

Of course, you can do just fine without heated glass! Hundreds of thousands of car owners do not have this item of automotive goodness, and cope well with frosty windshields in winter. The following steps are used to solve the problem: operation of the interior heating system, air blowing of the glass, hand scraper and brush.

It should be especially noted how drivers in the winter wholeheartedly scrape the glass from frost and ice, without realizing that they thereby inflict scratches and risks on the glass that are invisible to the naked eye, which over time can impede visibility. Thus, the glass gradually becomes cloudy. Many people do not clean the rear windows; they gradually thaw themselves as the heating works and as the car moves. It is clear that this number does not work with the windshield and it has to be completely “brought” to a transparent state before driving. It is at this point that the big advantage of using an electrically heated windshield lies.

Of course, normal visibility for the driver without blurring or risk, obtained without the use of hand tools, is an obvious positive factor.