I recommend not trying to place a hole through the sun roof.

[ned946]

Man, I know I'm gonna get burned at the steak for this, but I'm posting in case someone is contemplating doing it. I found (what I thought) was a perfect spot for a little accessory, mounted to the sun roof. The sticky pad stuff wasn't holding, so I thought, I get a glass cutting drill bit, place a small hole, then seal it all up with rubber washers and silicon.

Drillin away and I'm thinking.....this is sorta stupid...oh well, keep going. BAM, glass in my lap. The thing exploded. I had safety glasses and not personal injury, but what an expensive bummer.

Okay, flame away

P.S., I won't try it again, but I think it MIGHT have been okay had I though a little bit (what a big statement that is!) and unlatched the sunroof the relieve the pressure on the glass.

[Mobycat]

But if it's the same safety tempered glass as the windshield, it'll never work. Everytime you try to drill, no matter what, it's going to shatter - so there won't be any large shards to cause injury.

Did it shatter into really tiny pieces? That would be the safety glass (again, correct me if I'm wrong).

[ned946]

Yep, a zillion tiny pieces. Not that I'm gonna do it, but how does the factory place 4 holes for the screws in the stock set up?

[Lance]

Allegedly if you need to make a hole in safety glass...the trick is to grind, not drill. Only slight pressure, and an abrasive. Takes some time to do right.

Next time...think "Superglue"

[OffroadX]

Actually, superglue won't work well. The glue used to mount the rear-view mirror base to the windshield would be ideal. You can get it at auto parts stores. I think it cures w/ UV light...

I feel your pain Ned. A year ago I was drilling the frame of our patio door to mount a lock, and the bit just caught the edge of the glass and *bang* the whole thing shattered. It stayed in place (laminated safety glass) more or less, and would have eventually fallen if I didn't already have a "charlie bar" in the middle that kept it from bowing out far enough to fall. I taped it up and called a glass shop. Another expensive lesson.

Brent

[Lance]

If its a metal accessory mounting to the glass, and you scrape off that mesh like coating on the surface of the glass to get a good seal....and get a fresh package of the rearview mirror adhesive, then that would work great. (Maybe mount a metal plate to the glass, and then mount the non-metal accessory to the metal plate...)

If a glass shop is getting you the new sunroof piece, ask them if they can provide you with a hole, or a pre-fixed mounting plate or two...in case you find another accessory that you want there too.

A thought...if the accessory is at all heavy...when you crash down on a bump, etc...the extra weight and weakened point in the glass may stress fracture, especially if it's particularly hot or cold...and a metal plate will expand and contract at a different rate than the glass.

Hey - will it fit on the head liner NEXT to the sunroof? (Velcro can be your freind...)

[ned946]

Just wanted to say "thanks" for all the usefull suggestions
...I though for sure I was going to be flamed, but instead, I got some great tips! What a great board!

Its a clinometer and I though it was a good spot (I don't open my sunroof). Not heavy and it has a metal bracket, so I'll try scraping the replacement Nissan one in that area and use the adhesive stuff.

[xoc]

Originally posted by ned946
Its a clinometer and I though it was a good spot (I don't open my sunroof). Not heavy and it has a metal bracket, so I'll try scraping the replacement Nissan one in that area and use the adhesive stuff.

Not one of those gawd-awful big ones with the little trucks on it is it ?

Get some of these, they are much easier to mount, and not limited to 30 degrees.

[ScottG]

At least you know how the glass broke. My rear window broke, and I'm still not sure what happened. I was just driving along and, POW! I was towing a Jeep at the time and suspect that a rock flew up from the Jeep tire and hit the window.

[Snoopy]

Same think happened this past weekend while roading with SCCX - I was pulling out pehind Tonka4X's Yellow Xterra and then BLAM - Glass everywhere. It seems a rock came from my tire and smashed right through the rear glass. It sucked and I felt pretty crappy about busting up his truck.

[ned946]

Just a follow up. That rear view mirror glue is what you want to use! Cake!

What I learned in the process is the fit of the moon roof is crummy! The leading edge of the moon roof, where to 2 hinges are....has a huge gap...bigger than the weather stripping along the edge of the glass! I would be interested to know if anyone would take the time to remove the wind deflector and confirm the huge gap there.

[Lance]

I took off the wind deflector and basket when I got the X home on day one, and never put it back on....I don't see the gap you are talking about....?

Mine seems perfectly flush.

Was your re-install done right?

[ned946]

I was wondering the same thing, but I don't see where there would be any other install options ?!?!?
I'll tear it apart again and see if anthing seems wrong, then post.

[ned946]

I tore it apart again and the fit is still just as bad. There is only one way the thing goes together and there is still a good gap in the weather strip on the front leading edge.

[Lance]

Is the glass piece just too small?