Hate to ask such a seemingly minor question, but is there a trick to getting the fairing to line up when removing and installing a windshield on a '10 streetglide?

I have two different windshields I tend to swap out regularly depending on weather and if I have a passenger or not.
Seems everytime I swap out the shields the outer fairing never really aligns back up with the inner fairings brass ferrels, or whatever they are called.
Last time was at the dealer I had them swap out of of those brass fittings as it had completely come out of the socket.
I go to change out windshield last night and now I can't get the center bolt to line up. Is there a trick or technique for this or what?
Tried pushing down on outer fairing and nothing seems to work to make it align.
Thanks for any help.

 

Well, it will work, you just gotta have patience. Sometimes I have my wife push on the outer shell while I line up the screws. Also, if need be, unscrew the 4 side screws a bit so that the fairing can adjust a tad more. That may help.

 

I never take the fairing completely off. I take out the three screws at the top, spread the inner and outer fairing and slip the shield out. Put the new one in, and replace screws. I have not had a problem with the screws lining up. I always start with the middle screw and then the side screws.

Bill

 

lol, the most simple of things and these little brass guys are a PITA. The issue is they are soft metal and they can get rethreaded very easily.

What I try and do is take a pick and line the fairing holes up with the brass nuts. Do the center 1st but don't tighten it. get them all going in and then tighten. It also heps to have the other 4 in the fairing a bit loose to allow the fairing to move.

 

Man, did not think of loosening the other four fairing bolts. Ill try that. I most likely will need to replace that middle brass nut. How embarrassing for what seems to be a simple straight forward process. Unscrew, remove and replace shield, the screw back in. Never seems to work that easy when it comes to harleys.

 

Is there anything enclosed in the fairing preventing proper alignment (i.e. wiring, amp, bracket, etc.)? Same as "billnourse" - I just remove top-3 w/s screws & swap shields...always ligns up so I wonder if there's something in the way...??

 

HD has a replacement for the brass thingy. Don't know the part #, but I'm sure someone will chime in. There's a thread here also that tells how to install it. Read before attempting to install.

 

Nothing added to inside fairing that should hinder it lining up properly.

 

Periodically they won't line up so you have to loosen the side fairing screws as well. If you don't you risk putting unnecessary stress on the shield and brass nuts. I always loosen all regardless.

 

Typically speaking all you need to remove is the stop three screws. But if they don't line up very well upon reinstalling the windshield, just loosen the other 4 screws. It will help alien the top 3.

It’s no problem replacing those brass inserts. The replacements are screwed in and works much better than the stock ones, which are pressed in at the factory.
FYI: Your dealer replaced them under a warranty claim. They didn’t do it for free.