Windshield Removal

[Jim Beam]

Is there a tech article dealing with windshield removal? I found the one on how to install the coupe windshield but it does not address the removal process. Thanks.
Jim Beam

[Dave Wildrick]

Is there a tech article dealing with windshield removal? I found the one on how to install the coupe windshield but it does not address the removal process. Thanks.
Jim Beam

The tech section article by Art Stanwood et al. is very good. But I have the following comments:

Before you start, you should remove your sun visors and inside rear view mirror, to give enough room to pull the cord later.

The main thing is to take your time. If you are not reusing the old glass, I find it easier to lever the old rubber seal and windshield out with a screwdriver from inside the car instead of cutting the old seal off (as described in the shop manual). Just place the blade under the rubber and gently pry it down to get the seal to "back out" off the headliner and metal edge; the secret here is to slowly work your way around the seal. I usually start on the driver's side at the upper left and work across the top. If you are careful, you won't damage the glass either, but don't try pulling on the windshield to speed up the process or it may crack.

[Tom Farnam]

Instead of using a screwdriver, which may snag and tear on the headliner or other interior surfaces, go to a local glass shop and buy a "Glass Stick". Less than $10, no sharp metal edges, you will find it a very useful tool for any task involving rubber moldings.

Tom

[Dave Wildrick]

Instead of using a screwdriver, which may snag and tear on the headliner or other interior surfaces, go to a local glass shop and buy a "Glass Stick". Less than $10, no sharp metal edges, you will find it a very useful tool for any task involving rubber moldings.

Tom

I agree, the glass stick is best. When I recently had a windshield "star" fixed at a local glass shop, they gave me a glass stick, which also came in handy for fixing my leaking rear window rubber seal with silicone rubber (RTV).
However, if you don't have a glass stick, a screwdriver works on the inside rubber where you have no paint to scratch. I've removed 5 or 6 windshields this way and never buggered a headliner.

[Bruce Baker]

Yes, if the seal and/or glass is going to be reused, you can 'stuff' the rubber lip back behind the inner body opening flange with a screwdriver, but it takes patience. Do sides and upper and then slap the inside with the flat of your hand while the other holds the glass from popping out too far. Two people working together is the optimal way. A dull screwdriver beats the 'bone' for pushing, as the hands get sore without the handle to spread the pushing load.

If the rubber won't be reused, use a utility knife, as the manual shows, cutting enough of the outer seal (while missing the aluminum lock-strip or cutting that loose first) to allow the glass to be lifted out after making sure it's not held up anywhere. This is the safest way, the fastest way.

[Dan Macdonald]

I want to get my new windshield ready to install prior to removing the old windshield.
To do that I need to remove the aluminum trim and install it in the new windshield seal.
Can I successfully remove the aluminum trim while the windshield is still in the car? The workshop manual seems to imply that it can be done, but they say to cut the seal first. I can't cut the seal if I'm going to leave the windshield in the car.
What do you guys think? Can the aluminum trim be removed without bending it all to heck while the windshield is still in the car?

[Brad Ripley]

Jim B. tell us the EASY and quick way to remove the windshield or back window.

[Dan Macdonald]

Brad,
I have had the pleasure of seeing Mr. B remove several rear windows utilizing his "special technique." I don't think he can do a windshield, although I might like to see him try.
The question is, can he remove the aluminum trim without removing the windshield?

[Richard Shilling]

I don't know for a fact if you can remove the trim with the windshield in place, but I'd advise against it. Getting the trim out with the windshield removed and the rubber seal removed from the windshield is very easy. My guess is that in-place, with the glass pushing the rubber from the inside and the body pushing the rubber from the outside, that removing the trim without bending it badly would be somewhere between difficult and impossible. The trim is quite soft and you have to bend new trim to match the rubber which is easily done by hand.

[Wayne Arny]

Dan,

Check with Jim Breazeale at EASY, but I believe you cannot remove the
trim with the window in the car. I have a front one I need to put on
my '57, and I will go check it, but I believe it has almost a part
that is almost barbed that goes down into the slit in the rubber to
hold it in there.

But again, your best bet is to call Jim at (510) 653-EASY. That's
the easiest, to borrow a logo!

Wayne Arny
Galesville, MD


On Jan 26, 2010, at 2:56 PM, Dan Macdonald wrote:

I want to get my new windshield ready to install prior to removing
the old windshield.
To do that I need to remove the aluminum trim and install it in the
new windshield seal.
Can I successfully remove the aluminum trim while the windshield is
still in the car? The workshop manual seems to imply that it can be
done, but they say to cut the seal first. I can't cut the seal if
I'm going to leave the windshield in the car.
What do you guys think? Can the aluminum trim be removed without
bending it all to heck while the windshield is still in the car?

------------------------
Dan Macdonald
'59 A Coupe (105327)
'65 C Coupe (220256)
Registry #1921 (1982)
DMAIA@aol.com

Post generated using Mail2Forum via email.

[Wayne Arny]

Pardon the English, or lack thereof!!


On Jan 26, 2010, at 3:52 PM, Wayne Arny wrote:

Dan,

Check with Jim Breazeale at EASY, but I believe you cannot remove the
trim with the window in the car. I have a front one I need to put on
my '57, and I will go check it, but I believe it has almost a part
that is almost barbed that goes down into the slit in the rubber to
hold it in there.

But again, your best bet is to call Jim at (510) 653-EASY. That's
the easiest, to borrow a logo!

Wayne Arny
Galesville, MD


On Jan 26, 2010, at 2:56 PM, Dan Macdonald wrote:

I want to get my new windshield ready to install prior to removing
the old windshield.
To do that I need to remove the aluminum trim and install it in the
new windshield seal.
Can I successfully remove the aluminum trim while the windshield is
still in the car? The workshop manual seems to imply that it can be
done, but they say to cut the seal first. I can't cut the seal if
I'm going to leave the windshield in the car.
What do you guys think? Can the aluminum trim be removed without
bending it all to heck while the windshield is still in the car?

------------------------
Dan Macdonald
'59 A Coupe (105327)
'65 C Coupe (220256)
Registry #1921 (1982)
DMAIA@aol.com

------------------------
Wayne Arny

Post generated using Mail2Forum via email.

[Dan Macdonald]

Contact Jim? He's out golfing for goodness sake, in the middle of the week, no less! The nerve!

Dan,

Check with Jim Breazeale at EASY, but I believe you cannot remove the
trim with the window in the car. I have a front one I need to put on
my '57, and I will go check it, but I believe it has almost a part
that is almost barbed that goes down into the slit in the rubber to
hold it in there.

But again, your best bet is to call Jim at (510) 653-EASY. That's
the easiest, to borrow a logo!

Wayne Arny
Galesville, MD


On Jan 26, 2010, at 2:56 PM, Dan Macdonald wrote:

I want to get my new windshield ready to install prior to removing
the old windshield.
To do that I need to remove the aluminum trim and install it in the
new windshield seal.
Can I successfully remove the aluminum trim while the windshield is
still in the car? The workshop manual seems to imply that it can be
done, but they say to cut the seal first. I can't cut the seal if
I'm going to leave the windshield in the car.
What do you guys think? Can the aluminum trim be removed without
bending it all to heck while the windshield is still in the car?

------------------------
Dan Macdonald
'59 A Coupe (105327)
'65 C Coupe (220256)
Registry #1921 (1982)
DMAIA@aol.com

Post generated using Mail2Forum via email.

[Ron LaDow]

"Contact Jim? He's out *wading* for goodness sake, in the middle of the week, no
less! The nerve!"

Just thought I'd correct that for the Nor Cal weather....
Thanks,
Ron LaDow

Post generated using Mail2Forum via email.

[Dave Wildrick]

Can I successfully remove the aluminum trim while the windshield is still in the car?

I would not try it w/o cutting the rubber.
You'll end up with an expensive aluminum pretzel.

[Roy Smalley]

There are always exceptions but it is not a good practice. One slip and it is bent.....they almost bend just looking at them.

Any glass installer wiill tell you never to use anything metal to push a seal. Alsways use glass sticks or hand power.

I don't know for a fact if you can remove the trim with the windshield in place, but I'd advise against it. Getting the trim out with the windshield removed and the rubber seal removed from the windshield is very easy. My guess is that in-place, with the glass pushing the rubber from the inside and the body pushing the rubber from the outside, that removing the trim without bending it badly would be somewhere between difficult and impossible. The trim is quite soft and you have to bend new trim to match the rubber which is easily done by hand.