99 TJ windshield hinge question

[any4xx]

Today I removed the “light mount plates” that were mounted to the top halves of my windshield hinges. Someone had filled the center side holes of those plates with black RTV. Once I got them off I realized that the floating backing plates have 5/16” threaded holes for the top and bottom holes, but the center holes are larger and not threaded.

I’m guessing that someone either stripped or drilled these holes out at some point. Or is there something that I’m missing? The center holes in the sides of the windshield frame appear to be ready for the same bolts that the top and bottom holes take, but there’s nothing back there to screw into.

Am I wrong here? I’m thinking that to make things right I’ll be cutting out my windshield frame to make a new threaded backing plate.

 

[any4xx]

Also… I’ve not tried folding down the windshield, but my guess is that the lower bolts on the outside of the windshield frame are the only ones that need to be removed from the hinges in order to fold it down?

 

[Moglocker]

Also… I’ve not tried folding down the windshield, but my guess is that the lower bolts on the outside of the windshield frame are the only ones that need to be removed from the hinges in order to fold it down?

Yep 1on each side,and 2 bolts each side for top roll bar.

 

[any4xx]

Yep 1on each side,and 2 bolts each side for top roll bar.

Thank you. That explains why the lower side holes aren’t counter sunk. Do you happen to know about those floating backing plates inside the pillars?

 

[Moglocker]

Thank you. That explains why the lower side holes aren’t counter sunk. Do you happen to know about those floating backing plates inside the pillars?

I’ve never had one fall on me,I usually try to not remove all the screws at one though

 

[any4xx]

I’ve never had one fall on me,I usually try to not remove all the screws at one though

Yeah… the more I look at it the more I suspect that someone drilled it out. I initially thought that all three bolts held onto that plate but now it looks like the bottom bolt grabs the door frame and the floating plate only holds the two upper bolts. Now to figure out where I want to cut & re-weld my pillars to either repair or replace those plates. The joys of chasing Bubba….