My windshield is leaking where the T-top weatherstrip mates with the upper "chrome" or polished windshield "header" (sorry I don't know what its called and I can't find it on ZIP right now). The water would then leak down in between the chrome header and the windshield (not helping my bird cage). I have pulled the inner moldings and have inspected the bird cage. The center was a little rusted and the sides were fine. I ground/sanded away all the rust and applied a little rustoleum for a temporary fix until I could do a paint job and remove the windshield to do the job right. (I don't drive in the rain and its garaged).

Bubba, on the other hand tried to fix said leak years ago by cramming silicone (I think) down into the crack between the windshield and the polished header. It looks very bad and didn't (doesn't) work. I am fixing to get a paint job soon and am going to be fixing the birdcage and having the windshield pulled and replaced.

In order to keep costs down I am going to do whatever I can myself to prep for the job.. to include getting the windshield ready to go...

My question is, After I remove the T-tops and all of the interior trim around the windshield (including sun-visors), how do I remove the polished chromed windshield "header" that the T-tops seal against? I can't see any screws, clamps, or catches, and the assembly manual hasn't been much of a help.

Thanks as always,

Trace

 

I'm doing this from memory several years ago, but I recall you will have to remove the side windshield trim first, then remove the upper windshield trim molding. To remove the side molding, the side window seal will have to come out. This is all delicate work, and there are several screws to remove, so proceed carefully. Then you will have to remove the upper windshield molding/trim piece. Once that is out, the T-chrome trim piece will either lift out, or there are some screws for the upper windshield molding that have to be removed before the T-chrome trim piece can be lifted out
.
I recall that I couldn't get the corner pieces out until I removed the windshield completely because of screw locations being impossible to get to without chipping or cracking the glass.

Good luck. Becareful not to tweak any of the windshield trim pieces when removing them.

 

69monza has it right. you have to remove the windshield to access the two screws that are at the front side of the end pieces.
jeff

 

I wonder if anyone has ever came up with a method of mounting the upper moldings (with the t-top pin hole) without using those two screws there by allowing the moldings to be later replaced without removing the windshield. I removed my windshield (broke it and replaced it with new) about 25 years ago. The moldings have since corroded and need to be replaced again?

 

Trace,
The T shaped piece of trim can be removed without taking the 2 corner pieces off. There are visible screws and 2 SMALL pop rivets (in the rear). The trick is that the long thin piece of exterior trim right above the windshield has to come off FIRST to release the T shaped piece. AND the 2 side pieces of exterior trim (not the corners) need to be loosened to let the long piece off. OOOHHH G.M. Why do you do this to us????
AIM UPC 1, Sheet F11.
Regards,
Alan

 

68/70
yes there is. when i installed my windshield, i messed up. i set the clips to hold the top trim, but didn't realize i also had to set the end chrome pieces. i didn't want to remove the glass (which by the way, i cracked when the wiper crank arm hit it!) so i made studs out of #8 screws. set the studs in the front two holes in the chrome end just long enough to pass thru the windshield frame. i set the chrome ends, placed the nuts on the studs with tweezers and tightened with a small end wrench. it worked out ok.
jeff (aka, bubba)

 

How do I get the long thin piece of exterior trim right above the windshield off? I don't remember seeing any visible screws and I hate "pulling", but I get to go home in 3 weeks so I will check it out then.

I know the feeling, this is probably one of the biggest G.M. troubles I've run accross in the car... working on the Astro Ventilation system is probably a close second...

Thanks for the help

edit: What am I thinking.. getting to the the heater core is probably #1 most annoying...

 

There are clips that hold it in, and you will have to pry up between the glass and the trim. This needs to be done carefully. I used a rag to rest on the glass with a small piece of wood as a lever point, with a chisel that was about 2 " wide. The clips were 4 - 6" apart, so you want to get centered on them if possible before you lift ever so gently.

The good news, if you screw up, you can get aftermarket pieces. My right side trim was messed up by the wiper, and the replacement looked great.