scottzg
12-26-2005, 05:14 PM
My car got broken into by way of the corner window. I replaced it myself and figured i'd write the job up, since i learned a few tricks.
I went down to the junk yard and pulled a corner window ($20). A knife or boxcutter will chip up the edge of the surprisingly brittle glass, and so the way to go is to use a 3' fine braided wire, like a bike brake line (2.00). Start at the top and use it like a saw to cut the glue, i tied it around 2 spark plug wires so it didnt cut my hands. Don't go full speed or you will burn up your wire. This should only take about 3 minutes. To would-be criminals; removing the window this way saves the owner a lot of pain and doesnt cost any time, you asshole!
My rear corner window, as it turned out, had been broken before, and the last person to replace it had used a hard sealing glue. I needed a chisel to take out the remains of the old window. Be sure to get a flat, even surface on the removed stuff, as this will be the source of air leaks.
The window is stuck in with RTV. I used silicone window glue, since i already had it lying around from a previous project. I hope it works, i think it should. Put down a good thick line on both the car and the new window and stick it on. Apply as much pressure as you safely can, and weight the window in place. I did this by pushing a 2x4 between the window and the wall i was parked next to. In 24 hours it should be cured.
Total cost- 22$
Time invested- 4.5 hours (should take 2 if you have all the tools)
I hope this isn't needed by anyone. :?
I went down to the junk yard and pulled a corner window ($20). A knife or boxcutter will chip up the edge of the surprisingly brittle glass, and so the way to go is to use a 3' fine braided wire, like a bike brake line (2.00). Start at the top and use it like a saw to cut the glue, i tied it around 2 spark plug wires so it didnt cut my hands. Don't go full speed or you will burn up your wire. This should only take about 3 minutes. To would-be criminals; removing the window this way saves the owner a lot of pain and doesnt cost any time, you asshole!
My rear corner window, as it turned out, had been broken before, and the last person to replace it had used a hard sealing glue. I needed a chisel to take out the remains of the old window. Be sure to get a flat, even surface on the removed stuff, as this will be the source of air leaks.
The window is stuck in with RTV. I used silicone window glue, since i already had it lying around from a previous project. I hope it works, i think it should. Put down a good thick line on both the car and the new window and stick it on. Apply as much pressure as you safely can, and weight the window in place. I did this by pushing a 2x4 between the window and the wall i was parked next to. In 24 hours it should be cured.
Total cost- 22$
Time invested- 4.5 hours (should take 2 if you have all the tools)
I hope this isn't needed by anyone. :?