It's getting close to that time. I am doing the brakes this weekend (enough of being crippled by it - I am taking Friday off of work to get some stuff done), and then I move up to the windshield, so I can get at the rust. Here's what I do know/don't know:
1) DO KNOW - all the trim clips and rubber clips have been removed
2) DO KNOW - the windshield rubber is very dry and cracking - it needs replaced
3) DON'T KNOW - what's the best way to remove it? Cut the upper surface of rubber away and press out from the inside?
4) DON'T KNOW - Are there any SPECIAL TOOLS I should use?
5) DON'T KNOW - what's the best approach to get under the rubber to cut it away?
I did a search on windshield removal, and only got three hits that were not hellpful. I can "hire" an auto glass outfit to do it if you think that is best. Anyone? THANKS!
Chris
you and take a piece of gauged wire (like a thin cable used to secure things) and work it into the seal through it then use it like a saw. it wont be easy to do it this way on your own but it is effective and saves the glass. Ihad to do this with rear glass on my old nissan. make sure the cable has some kind of handle if you do it this way so you dont get hurt
I just did this with Apintonut and another Pinto fan last weekend. The easiest way to do this is to trim the rubber away from the outside edge of the window so the entire windshield is exposed. Then gently press the inside of the gloass away from the remaining weatherstrip. Start at one upper corner and gently work your way across to the other side. The key is to make sure you trim the rubber all the way back on the glass. It will crack VERY easily.
If your going to replace the seal, then by all means, cut the seal lip on the inside of the car. After you do that, you can just lift the windshield out of the car. Other wise you stand a good chance of cracking it.
Well, wish me luck, I guess I love to spend money, but not >that< much :lol:. I just went by the glass place, and here were my two options:
1) How much for THEM to remove my windshield? $175 :mad:
2) How much for the TOOLS to remove it (long and hooked knives)? $55 total ;D
I chose option #2.
For them to reinstall (my glass, my new seal) - $125.
BTW, for grins, I priced a NEW windshield - $263. Cross the fingers that this one does not get cracked!
Chris
...such an adventure....
We cut the rubber gasket with a $5 x-acto knife. Just take your time and trim the rubber on the outside of the window back far enough to expose the edge of the windshield all the way around. Once that is done, gently and carefully work the glass off the inner rubber. It will just fold forward. Be sure to not drop it or better yet work with a helper.
Sure, but Reed, like I said, I like to spend money..... :hypno: If I can help finance your project in any way, please tell me where to send the signed check.... :cheesy_n:
Yah, I figured it could be done cheaply, but I got >chicken<. Glad you guys managed it easily. With these tools, heck, I just may become a windshield removal expert :lost:.
Who's next.....?
Chris
I had a neighbor who owned a junkyard. I bought a windshield from him once. The "office girl" got it out. They used a guitar string to go around the edge of the windshield once the outer rubber was cut away. This works well on "glue in " windshields. I helped a guy take one out of a Pinto at Pick A Part a month or so ago. He just cut the outer rubber and we gently pushed it out.
I don't know what a new seal cost (I guess about $80-$100), but the guy I helped paid $15 for the windshield because P-A-P was having a 50% off sale.
Tom
Popbumper,
Cut the gasket from the out side make sure it is clear from the edge of the windshield.
Gently from the in side push the window out ward ( i sat on the floor and used my feet to push ) once it started to move you go out side the car and can lift it out the rest of the way.
The winshield is awkward but not extremely heavy.
From there you just pull the rest of the seal out . It was the easyest winshield i have removed. taking you time it should take no more than an hour Proably alot less sense you have the trim removed .
Phil
So I ended up picking up these "high falutin" windshield removal tools - one is this long machete-looking knife. Note to self: NEVER make enemies with a glass guy ::). The girl told me she had misquoted me on price, but since the transaction was over, don't worry about it.
I talked to the windshield guy (who was not there earlier). He told me it was pretty straightforward, get inside and push it out, peel the gasket back from the inside, etc. He told me if I did nnot use the tools to bring them back and get a refund - I'm guessing he knows what he is talking about.
Basically, he told me what ALL you guys have told me.
Your inputs are greatly appreciated - that's what this group is about.
Chris
Popbumper:
3800 Bridgeport Way, Suite A, #23
University Place, WA 98466
Minimum donation is $20, but larger amounts are encouraged. ;D
Seriously though, it really is very easy if you are already going to replace the gasket. Now, installing the window is another matter...
when I pulled the glue in from my 79 I used a carpet knife and soaked the perimeter of the windsheild with gasoline worked great..dont smoke while doing this
Quote from: dave1957 on September 26, 2008, 10:27:57 AM
..dont smoke while doing this
You can.....but only ONCE.... ::)
Quote from: 71HANTO on September 26, 2008, 11:49:59 AM
You can.....but only ONCE.... ::)
This maybe the first time a Pinto caught fire from the front :surprised:
Putting it in is easier than taking it out!
1. place it face down on a table covered with a piece of carpet or towels.
2. put the new rubber gasket on
3. using a piece of 1/8" nylon rope, start at the middle of the top and put it in the groove all the way around. Overlap at the top about 6" each way and tape the ends to the inside.
4. lube the gasket really well with silicone spray or WD40.
5. set the w/s in place, from the inside pull the rope and the lip of the gasket will go in place. you need to lightly press on the outside of the glass as you go around.
6. once you have pulled the rope all the way out, smack the outside of the glass with your hand, flat against the glass all the way around to seat the glass.
Hey popbumper,
I am the other guy who worked with Reed last weekend. I have tried many times to take it out and save the rubber too. ABSOLUTELY not possible.
What Reed didn't tell you was that we were not successful this time either. I guess I will take the blame because I did not take the time to cut all the gasket completely to the edge of the glass. I think there was enough in front of it, plus I didn't loosen the glass from the adheasive in the groove. that when he pushed on it he broke it. Be sure and plan for it to take a lot of time, PATIENCE! Taking out the side windows and hatch glass is easier to do and save the gasket because teh tempered glas takes more pressure before it breaks.
Hey, wish me luck because if I can get apintnut, Reed and a couple other guys to come to my place next weekend we can try to get mine out without breaking it.
P
Thanks for the insights!! Good thing that I do not need to save the gasket (cracking and brittle anyway), but I'll be sure that it all is "loose" before I try to seperate the glass from the gasket. What fun!! Good luck to you guys - wish I had anotehr Pinto fan around here to work with!!
Chris