windshield removal

[81 pony]

got to replace my windshield. how to remove?

[BetterDays]

Call around to some automotive glass shops...

They will come out, remove the old and install the new wherever the car is...

[81 pony]

who around us does that?

[85 Notchback]

Get an exacto knife and some laquer thinner. Pour the thinner on the sealant, then cut the sealant all the way around, have two people inside th car apply pressure to the window with their feet, should come out easily.

[81 pony]

have you done it that way 85 notchback

[BetterDays]

Look in the yellow pages and see Automotive Glass....

I can't think of the names right now, but I have seen them working in parking lots at work!

[Grimace5.0]

List of tools:

Trim tool
Cold knife
Utility knife
Gasket scraper
Allen wrench for mirror
Auto glass urethane and pertinant primers
Butyl kit ( optional )
A friend


This is a trim tool....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v428/2000TJunk/trimtool.bmp

Cold knife....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v428/2000TJunk/coldknife.bmp


You insert the trim tool between the trim and glass to release the clips that hold on the trim. You slide the tool along until you feel the clip then hook the clip and give it a little twist. Nothing crazy just enough to pull the clip away from the body and off of the trim. The trim should pop up, continue down the trim.

After you have the top and both sides off you can take off the cowl, wipers and cowl extensions. Also on the bottom you should see 2 plastic setting blocks. Do not discard them.

Take the utility knife and cut the oozed out urethane/butyl around the glass. Then with your cold knife cut the top, both sides and bottom if you can. If for some reason you can't cut the bottom with your cold knife, piano wire/guitar string will work.

Remove the old windshield (w/s)

Now, if the old w/s was installed with butyl read #4. If the old w/s was installed with urethane read #5.

#4- Butyl tape.
Butyl tape sux. It is the worst thing in the automotive glass industry ever. Kindof like aero nosing a 4 eye. Anyway..
If the previous w/s was in with butyl, take your scraper and scrape off all the old butyl. It is key to get all the butyl off, it doesn't have to be down to bare metal but the more of the old stuff you get off the less chance of leakage. Prep the pinchweld per manufacturers instructions. If you are going to install the new w/s with a butyl kit (strongly discouraged) prep the glass per manufacturers directions. Roll out the butyl tape on the pinchweld. Put the 2 setting blocks back where you found them. Set the w/s in the car. Apply gentle pressure to seat the glass. Reinstall the trim, cowl, cowl extensions, wipers and mirror.

#5-Urethane
Ok, the old w/s was replaced before. Ford used butyl from the factory so if you have urethane it has been replaced. Take your utility knife and trim the existing urethane to 1-2mm in height. Prep the pinchweld with primer per maufacturers directions. Prep the glass with any primer per manufacturers direction. Cut the nozzle of the urethane so it has about a sharpie marker's diameter. Then cut a small, maybe 1/2" V into the tip. Apply the urethane to the pinchweld. Be careful and take your time. Make sure to "marry" any joints in the urethane bead. Replace the 2 setting blocks. Set the new w/s in the car. Gently press it down so it makes full contact with the urethane bead. Reapply the trim, cowl, cowl extensions, wipers and mirror.

****DISCLAIMER****
I do not advocate the use of butyl tape for windshield replacement. If you don't feel comfortable replacing the glass take it to a auto glass shop. Our company has over 300 shops, take a look in the yellow pages to find a competant shop near you.
And finally, your results may vary.

EDITED TO ADD: after you prep the glass you should wear nitrile or rubber gloves before handling the glass again. This will decrease the chance of contamination to the bonding surface.

[81 pony]

thanks grimace5.0 ill be over this weekend.......lol.....that helps alot appreciate the advice

[Grimace5.0]

No problem man. Let me know if ya need anything. I forgot to mention the trim tool and cold knife can usually be found at auto parts stores or stores that supply the auto body shops.

[85 Notchback]

have you done it that way 85 notchback

Yes, I have done it that way, but I've also done it the way Grimace explained and thats alot easier, I used those tools in school and have never known where to buy them. Use his way.

[BetterDays]

Call Diamond in downtown Vermilion....

Check the phone book.. a lot less headaches when you have someone else do (remove and install).....

[81 pony]

thanks

[Grimace5.0]

Is Triumph listed? It's the same company 8)

[351lx]

I have taken them out at the wreckers by myself a couple of times.Like was previously mentioned you need a trim tool to remove the trim and a cold knife to cut through the sealant.One thing I found is that a hood release cable makes a good tool to saw through the sealant in any areas that the cold knife won't work, just cut the cable near the hood latch and pull it out from the inside and you have a 5 foot braided wire with a handle on one end.I also like to remove all the inside moldings so I don't accidentally saw through them with the wire.Patience is also very important as if you try to force it out it will break.If you are installing it yourself buy the urethane at a body shop supply place or glass place that goes through a lot of it.It usually has a shelf life and if it is too old it is very hard to work with so it is best to get fresh urethane.

[negusm]

For $250 the local glass shop came out to the body shop with a new windhsield and swapped glass. No fuss, no muss, no breakage or leaks.

It was well worth it in my opinion.

-Mike

[351lx]

My local wrecker charges $45 for a windshield plus I paid about $15 for supplies to install it myself. http://www.bucksautoparts.com/pricelistframe.html

[jpywell]

I am going to do it myself, I am lucky in the fact that I work in a body shop and we use Apple auto glass to do all our windows, the guy we get to do our windows is a big capri fan and is going to help me out. Use the tools listed and you will have the windsheild out in 20 minutes and have it back in inless then 10. If you dont use the right tools your looking at possibly breaking the window, even with the right tools I have seen perfectly good windsheilds break.