How do I remove a windshield from a 1988 Four Winns Freedom 160?

[TimberwolfFXDL]

It's a bow rider. I can only find screws for the corner struts by the walk thru, and at the back where the frame extends to the hull.

Do I need to disassemble the windshield to find some track screws or something?

I can feel no protruding screw points inside the hull under the track area.

 

[oops!]

Re: How do I remove a windshield from a 1988 Four Winns Freedom 160?

hi bud.........they are there......keep looking.

most windsheilds are the same.....track is held on with bolts that go thru the channel and into the hull.

you will have about 3 or 4 in each front facing side of the walk thru.

i know its a pain to stick your head under there and hold a flashlight in your mouth while holding your tounge in the perfect position......but ....thats boats !

 

[drewpster]

Re: How do I remove a windshield from a 1988 Four Winns Freedom 160?

When you do find them keep in mind that the bonehead OEM will probably have used zinc washers and nuts on stainless bolts. The zinc will have long been rusted off and the nut will be welded to the bolt. So use a ratchet, not a wrench. If you break the bolts don't bother trying to find square head bolts for the windshield track because there wont be a retailer within 500 miles that will carry them. Just replace them with new stainless bolts that you have ground the heads on to fit the track. (Just a little of the experience I had removing my windshield)
Getting the glass out of the frames and finding new gaskets is another long sad story, but it can be done. Let me know if you want that little ditty. LOL

"Thats Boats" to qoute our friend Oops.

 

[TimberwolfFXDL]

Re: How do I remove a windshield from a 1988 Four Winns Freedom 160?

I've been under there. There's nothing coming through. Looks like glassed over reinforcement right in that area, so maybe they came down from the top with wood screws? In which case I'd have to disassemble the windshield I'm guessing

 

[oops!]

Re: How do I remove a windshield from a 1988 Four Winns Freedom 160?

they HAVE TO BE THERE bud.

when they make the top cap.......they will never glass over the bolts.....this would be a usless extra and costly step in the process.

it is possible that they have ground wires attached to the bolts so it looks like a ground......but i would un do what you can see.....then try to pull or lightly pry it up.....where it stops....is where you will find the bolts !

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: How do I remove a windshield from a 1988 Four Winns Freedom 160?

It's a bow rider. I can only find screws for the corner struts by the walk thru, and at the back where the frame extends to the hull.

Do I need to disassemble the windshield to find some track screws or something?

I can feel no protruding screw points inside the hull under the track area.

Typically you have the base of the windshield frame with a plastic insert or rubber/foam kinda stuff.

You would remove this "insert" out of the frame of the shield to access screws that go into the boat.. Screws..

I have not seen too many boats with through bolted sheilds..and not ever for a 180...

YD.

 

[TimberwolfFXDL]

Re: How do I remove a windshield from a 1988 Four Winns Freedom 160?

they HAVE TO BE THERE bud.

when they make the top cap.......they will never glass over the bolts.....this would be a usless extra and costly step in the process.

it is possible that they have ground wires attached to the bolts so it looks like a ground......but i would un do what you can see.....then try to pull or lightly pry it up.....where it stops....is where you will find the bolts !

I'm telling ya, nothing is sticking through. There's one little 10-32 with a tab holding the antenna wire.

Typically you have the base of the windshield frame with a plastic insert or rubber/foam kinda stuff.

You would remove this "insert" out of the frame of the shield to access screws that go into the boat.. Screws..

I have not seen too many boats with through bolted sheilds..and not ever for a 180...

YD.

I wondered about this. There is a black plastic strip across the base of the windshield frame. I thought about pulling that to see, but didn't want to find out I was wrong.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: How do I remove a windshield from a 1988 Four Winns Freedom 160?

Timber..that black plastic strip is covering the mount screws

Is it a Taylor Made ? If so they have a New cover to replace that brittle crap plastic that snaps in there.

YD.