I broke the right rear quarter glass on my outback, I'm an idiot.

Anyway, what's the procedure to replace it?

I'm gonna rent a glass removal tool (hopefully) and grab one from the junkyard, so I'm sure I'll see how it works after I practice there.... But can anyone tell me what I'm in for? I don't know how to remove the top plastic trim piece, also do I need to replace the window gasket?

 

The hardest part will probably be removing one without breaking it, but the glass is something like $350 new, so yea, forget that.

There is no gasket, it is glued in with urethane. To remove the top molding, go on the inside and remove the side panel to get access to the bolts holding the exterior molding. If it is the same as my 92 legacy, the bolts will be 8mm, you will need a deep well socket. I didn't have a deep well socket so I used a regular socket and flat screw driver to twist them off.

if it's like the old gen stuff that urethane is INSANE.  you will not simply cut through it very easily.  if there's a tool of any kind, i'd get it.

getting thru the urethane, without breaking the glass is going to be the hardest part.

 

There are special tools made for doing this - not too terribly expensive either, but do take a little practice to use effectively.

Like this: http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/windshield-removing-tool-p-12480.aspx

 

I have read that a lot of people use something like piano wire to "saw" thru the stuff...has to be threaded thru from one side to the other, then worked around the glass.

 

Something similar to this: http://www.gtglass.com/urethane-knives-and-blades/auto-glass-tri-wire-starter-kit

 

When i broke the cargo area side glass on my old GL, I happened to have a parts car on the property - had Auto Glass Specialists come out and do the job for me - $50 out (x2), $50 in

Edited June 17, 201312 yr by heartless

getting thru the urethane, without breaking the glass is going to be the hardest part.

 

There are special tools made for doing this - not too terribly expensive either, but do take a little practice to use effectively.

Like this: http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/windshield-removing-tool-p-12480.aspx

 

I have read that a lot of people use something like piano wire to "saw" thru the stuff...has to be threaded thru from one side to the other, then worked around the glass.

 

Something similar to this: http://www.gtglass.com/urethane-knives-and-blades/auto-glass-tri-wire-starter-kit

 

When i broke the cargo area side glass on my old GL, I happened to have a parts car on the property - had Auto Glass Specialists come out and do the job for me - $50 out (x2), $50 in

 

 

The first tool works great as long as the bead of urethane is close enough to the edge of the glass to cut through. Piano wire or guitar wire works, till it gets gummed up with old urethane, keep spraying it with glass cleaner or soapy water to help keep it cutting.  When I was in the glass business we made long knives to cut out areas the cut out tool wouldn't reach. Use about a 18 inch to 2 foot peice of 1/2 inch conduit and flatten one end down enough to hold a stanly knife blade in it. Keep in mind you are working with tempered glas, if you chip the edge just right it will blow up on you. After you have installed the replacement glass, tape it to the car with masking tape to keep it in place till the glue dries. If you do drive, keep the windows closed to the air pressure doesn't blow the window out of the car, I've seen it happen.

To remove the old broken chunks without making a further mess, tape a garbage bag around the inside window frame.  Then close all the other windows all the way except one window leave cracked a tiny bit.  Then turn the key on, blower fan on.  This will make the plastic "billow" outward, and keep all the dusty broken bit out of the interior.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm not sure if having a glass place remove the window will work since it's at a junkyard.

Gloyale, that's a great suggestion about the plastic bag. The window is completely shattered, but didn't actually fall out of the hole yet (not sure how that's possible....) I currently have it coated in tape so if/when it does come out it won't make a mess.

 

This is the tool I've seen work pretty well. Obviously super expensive, but if I could rent one that would be cool.

 

My other idea was just to take my sawzall and cut the entire window frame out of the car. And bring the whole mess to a glass shop... Not sure if they'd do that for a reasonable price or not.

Edited June 17, 201312 yr by 987687

 

My other idea was just to take my sawzall and cut the entire window frame out of the car. And bring the whole mess to a glass shop... Not sure if they'd do that for a reasonable price or not.

 

And you would probably shatter the glass you were trying to save - unless you cut far enough away from it that the vibrations to the glass were minimized

Yea, I'd probably just use an angle grinder to minimize vibrations, at least on the last few cuts when everything is getting loose.

Does anyone know how to transfer a parking sticker from the old quarter glass to a new one?   Can it be done?

depends on the sticker - some can be removed with a single edge razor without damage, others cant.

 

Who issued the sticker? company? city? I would contact whomever it was and explain the situation (do not admit fault, tho), maybe you can get a new one with little/no cost. doesnt hurt to at least try anyway.

Edited June 19, 201312 yr by heartless

Does anyone know how to transfer a parking sticker from the old quarter glass to a new one?   Can it be done?

 

You could put clear packing tape over it and heat it from the other side and then gently scrape it with a single edge razor blade. It worked on the old CO smog stickers that would otherwise say void, if you peeled them off.

Thx for the tips!  Will try that!

There are several options out there. these are a few that are available at different autoparts stores or autobody supply stores

 

These are all available at different places, these are just the first links i found

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-windshield-removal-kit-96339.html

 

http://www.sears.com/ate-professional-windshield-removal-tool-with-resharpenable-steel/p-SPM7537256902P

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/18-Professional-Heavy-Duty-Windshield-Window-Removal-Knife-/261135312649

 

http://www.sears.com/search=neiko%20pro%20tools%20usa%20air%20windshield%20remover%20with%20blades

 

i didn't feel like looking any more up.

At the junk yard i use old throttle cable from somthing poke it thru and use it like a saw back ad forth working your way around is cheap tool and endless suply at wreakers wrap it around a screwdriver for better hold