Rear Defroster Ripped Off???

[Ponchonutty]

After buying 2 kits and trying to glue it on 3 times I gave up and bought a new piece of back glass from Safelite ($229). Expensive, but I don't like broken things on my truck. The tab just kept popping off with the glue. Even when it was on and I used the kit paint to repaint to get a connection, I was getting off readings with multimeter.

The rear glass is easy to install.

I've messed around with broken defrosters on numerous vehicles over the years. I have had great success with the paint for the lines. For reattaching the tabs, about 70%. You have to heat the glass with a heat gun in about a 1-2' area before soldering the tab. A very hot iron is a must. Can't overheat the area either.

Then again replacing the glass on these trucks for under $250 isn't a bad way to go either lol

 

[mattjones]

The repair wasn't covered under my carmax warranty and they wanted to charge labor for it, so I just bought the "kit" from them for $17 and did it myself. The "kit" is basically just a two part cement glue. Apply one liquid, then the other and attach.

You're supposed to let it sit for 24 hours. The first time I tried, I checked and the tab fell right off. I put more of the glue stuff on and let it sit for at least two days before I even tried touching it. I wasn't convinced it would stay there, but I reattached the cable to it and so far it's been about a month and it hasn't fallen off, and the defroster has worked. I'm still going to avoid touching it though. I think the key is to just be extremely careful and DO NOT touch it until you're sure it's completely bonded. The first time it fell off I thought the stuff was worthless and can see why a lot of people say it didn't work for them.

 

[abright52]

I am assuming that this is the stuff that you guys are talking about?

http://www.permatex.com/products-2/...r-electrically-conductive-tab-adhesive-detail

One of mine popped off a couple weeks ago...all by itself. Advance Auto didn't have anything to fix it...will have to look for it elsewhere...

 

[scottg918514]

Yes, but didn't work for me. I just got this kit: http://www.frostfighter.com/frost-fighter-order-information.htm

And, reinstalled a tab on a 1 month old new piece of back glass the weekend. This kit seems better. I'll try the defroster in a couple days and report if the tab stays on.


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[scottg918514]

Yes, but didn't work for me. I just got this kit: http://www.frostfighter.com/frost-fighter-order-information.htm

And, reinstalled a tab on a 1 month old new piece of back glass the weekend. This kit seems better. I'll try the defroster in a couple days and report if the tab stays on.


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Well, plugged it back in yesterday, sooner then I was hoping, but cold rain and snow and completely fogged up glass, so a good test.

It all worked great, tab still on (for now).




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[Ponchonutty]

I don't believe its really a problem with the solder on the glass but that the cables going to the glass become hard, brittle, and stiff causing too much force on that solder joint.

 

[scottg918514]

I don't believe its really a problem with the solder on the glass but that the cables going to the glass become hard, brittle, and stiff causing too much force on that solder joint.

Well, I stretched mine out before installing new glass in Feb. In March a tab popped off the new glass.



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[abright52]

Just got my kit today...will give it a go sometime this week.

 

[abright52]

Follow up:

So far the repair has been successful. This is what I used:
Loctite Rear Window Defogger - Tab Adhesive - 0.03/0.02-Fl Oz Kit
from:
http://www.etrailer.com/Tools/Loctite/LT21351.html

I cleaned the area, applied the adhesive per instructions and held in place for a while. Then I left it disconnected for a couple days to ensure that it was cured. I stretched out both coils of wire to give some slack before reconnecting. Still holding after two months.

 

[powerhaulic]

I warmed my glass with heat gun.
put a dab of solder on tab and a dab on glass
Put the two together and heated just enough to bond
good to go