Replacing entrance door glass

[david.dgeorge07]

I've read a few threads I found on this, but haven't seen one that looks like my bus. I was working on my door and while screwing into the aluminum channel around the glass, the screw caught the slightest edge of the glass and shattered the whole thing.

The new glass is less than $50 from Thomas, but I'm trying to figure out how to install it. The door is made of a series of aluminum channels bolted together and I'm thinking maybe that I should disassemble one side and the new glass may slide in from the side.

These pieces don't have the heavy gasket that others seem to, just a very narrow rubber gasket. I don't think you could press these in and out of the existing opening.

Anyway, just wondering if anyone here has experience with this. Thanks in advance. I will post pictures this evening when I have the chance.

 

[david.dgeorge07]

 

[musigenesis]

View attachment 36679View attachment 36680

Sha ooobie!

 

[CMORGANSKOOL]

that looks like a real pain to replace. On mine the glass fits in the rubber gasket and the gasket just fits into the edge of the door and you use a plastic puddy knife to work it in place.

 

[Biscuitsjam]

If you haven't purchased the glass yet, why not just replace the whole door? We put a storm door on ours.

 

[david.dgeorge07]

If you haven't purchased the glass yet, why not just replace the whole door? We put a storm door on ours.

I like the OEM door. I can see the advantages of swapping though.

 

[david.dgeorge07]

Weatherstripping sliding out.

 

[david.dgeorge07]

Outer channel removed. 5 screws. Top and bottom ones have to come out before the weatherstripping will slide.

 

[david.dgeorge07]

I used tape to try to contain some of the glass. Meh.

But you can see the rubber gasket. It was in perfect condition and I was able to reuse it. Had to carefully clean all the shards out of it though.

 

[david.dgeorge07]

New glass slidden halfway in with old gasket. Dry RV lube was an important part of all of this. Lots of stuff had to slide smoothly.

 

[david.dgeorge07]

All done.

Biggest pain was cleaning up the glass. Do yourself a favor and spend a little extra time on setting yourself up for easy cleanup.

Also, glass pieces are small, some near microscopic and they may call it safety glass but it is razor sharp. I was careful and got three minor cuts.

 

[david.dgeorge07]

Glass was $49 and took about an hour to install.

 

[Meathead]

Thanks once again for sharing. I too will need glass for my door. I was grinding too close to my door and melted the glass. Would you please post the contact information for Thomas parts.
Thanks, Dave

 

[NicRogue]

Hi everyone!!!
I am new to this forum and have gained important insights from individual posts and discussions. So THANK YOU for being an amazing resource. I purchased my 22 passenger 2005 Ford E450 last May. I am doing this project on my own aside from the few times I have been able to get my son or mom to help with minor things. My dad accidently shattered one of the glass doors with the lawn mower. Can anyone suggest where I can purchase a replacement? I live in Southern Indiana.Also, I have a really nice wheelchair lift but I decided to remove it (and hopefully sell it). Has anyone had experience removing this massive thing without compromising the the bus and the functionality of the lift?
Cheers!
Stay well and keep smiling!
NicRogue

 

[wendylukens]

hey there, what kind of storm door did you use? My width is only 28 3/4" and I can't find a storm door to fit. And was this an issue for inspection since it's not vehicle-safe glass?

 

[Minnie3]

Hey fantastic folks-

The bottoms of my glass doors are rusted off and the bottoms bolts are rusted out. Door is 36in x 83in.

What are my options? Would HomeDepot install the door for me if I bought it from them?
If I replace it what is my best easiest option?
$500 budget

Ottawa Ontario- Not America...