9 replies to this topic

[mwbean]

Is is possible average mechanic to change a rear side window??
i see that I can get the 3m sealant from several locations but when
you change the glass do you always have to change the seal also?

[lmdew]

Yes, you can do it. It is held to the support with 2 10mm nuts. No you don't have to replace the seal.

[mwbean]

Thanks:headbang:

[grossgary]

Rear side window? What do you mean? Side view mirror, those are simple bolt ons.

But if you mean the glass? I'm picturing the small piece of glass glued into the side of a sedan behind the rear door window?

In my experience the glue holding those things in place is insanely hard to remove. Make sure you get the exact tools you need, otherwise it's a nightmare and takes forever.

[heartless]

yes, which rear side window are you referring to?

the one that goes up & down, in the door?

the little quarter window on a sedan, behind the door?

or the cargo area side window on a wagon?

the first one is the one held in place by two nuts.

the other two are glued in, and can be rather difficult to remove.

[mwbean]

It is the L/H side window just behind the 2nd door in the "cargo" area . It is on a 1997 Legacy outback wagon.

Edited by mwbean, 17 November 2012 - 11:28 AM.

[ivans imports]

use a old cable inside and slip it past and work it like a saw around the glass to remove simple job think you have to unbolt the lower trim and upper trim inside and out to get it just right

[lmdew]

I thought you were talking rear door. Sorry

[mwbean]

ok, so It's the same procedure as replacing a windsheld or the rear back hatch window??

The standard method to removing a front or rear windshield is to cut it out, as suggested, using an old guitar string or piano string. Generally you push the wire through from the inside until you can grab it on the outside. At that point you pull through enough wire so that you can tie it around the box end of a wrench in a knot. So now you'll have say 15 inches of wire tied to a box end wrench on the outside of the car and the same on the inside. Then you and a friend saw the wire back and forth, moving sideways through the urathane sealant, all of the way around the glass until you cut it free. The glass shops have an air-powered knife that does the same thing. You must be careful pushing the glass out as you cut around it, for it won't take much to crack the glass. Once you get it home, use an exacto knife to cut the bulk of the sealant from the glass and then clean it well with alcohol. Do the same with the frame of your tailgate where the glass fits. Make sure there is no dirt in the frame track and certainly no rust. If rust is there or you've cut through the paint with the exacto knife, there soon will be if you don't prime and paint it before installing the glass. Obviously let the paint dry a day before you proceed. Then buy some windshield sealant from an auto glass shop ( usually in tube form like home window caulking ) and put a half inch bead of sealant all around the tailgate frame and carefully place and push the glass into its final position. Make sure you line it up properly in the opening because there isn't a lot of wiggle room if you're off centre, since the sealant grabs and holds pretty firmly. Let the sealant cure overnight before you use the car, and be sure to wind one of the windows down before you shut all of the doors, so built up air pressure won't force the windshield out against its sealant. Good luck!

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Edited by mwbean, 17 November 2012 - 02:51 PM.

[heartless]

yup, that would be the procedure. and as it says, be very careful pushing the glass out - it will crack if you put too much pressure in one spot.

as a side note - i had to replace a cargo area glass on my old GL wagon once - had Auto Glass Specialists (the little red truck guys) do the job for me - $50 to pull (times 2 - broken one, and replacement), $50 to install - had a parts car on the premises to obtain the glass from.

Total cost: $150
saving myself the headaches and aggravation: priceless