Anyone Know How to Remove a Windshield?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Anyone Know How to Remove a Windshield?
I have a craxked windshield that needs to be replaced. Before I do that, I thought that I'd replace the windshield rubber seal and have a look around for any pillar issues. Does anyone know how to renove the windshield? Since I'm replacing the rubber, I suppose that I could just cut it, but therer must be a better way.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Weatherford TX
Get a piano wire or buy a wire from the parts store that is made for this purpose. You push it against the inside of the windshield. Between the rubber seal and the glass. Have a friend pull it then you pull it back. Kind of like a saw. It cuts the rubber away from the seal. One person can do it with the T-tops off. But it is best to have someone help you lift it off.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 997
Likes: 0
From: Click Avatar for Contact Info
Originally Posted by bn7035
Get a piano wire or buy a wire from the parts store that is made for this purpose. You push it against the inside of the windshield. Between the rubber seal and the glass. Have a friend pull it then you pull it back. Kind of like a saw. It cuts the rubber away from the seal. One person can do it with the T-tops off. But it is best to have someone help you lift it off.
I've changed a few windshields and this is how many of the pros do it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
The stainless steel trim around the windshield is held on by plain steel clip like devices that are riveted on. It doesn't take long for these to rust. Theres a tool to slip under the stainless steel trim to snap it lose from the clips. If the clip is pretty rusty you might break it. I broke a couple - not only because they were rusty but also being a first time trim remover I broke them because I really didn't initially know what I was doing. I've noticed that some of the Corvette part houses now sell these steel clips. You might want to buy some ahead of time in case some get broken when you remove the trim. After removing the trim, I looked at the window for a long time and finally took it to a shop that specialized in windshields. They did a good and fast job.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 478
Likes: 3
From: Huntsville AL
Believe me it is worth paying someone to do it. I went throught this last month and it took me two weeks to get mine out and glass was everywhere. First I tried a cold knife but the old seal was so hard it would not cut through it. I ended up using my drimel tool to cut through most of it, then the cold knife. Wish I had just paid someone to do it now. But the bright side is I love the new windshield 
YBnormal...drive a vette
YBnormal...drive a vette
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
Originally Posted by bn7035
Get a piano wire or buy a wire from the parts store that is made for this purpose. You push it against the inside of the windshield. Between the rubber seal and the glass. Have a friend pull it then you pull it back. Kind of like a saw. It cuts the rubber away from the seal. One person can do it with the T-tops off. But it is best to have someone help you lift it off.
Do your hands a favor and cut a couple 6" sections of fat dowel rod or broom handle to wrap the piano wire around so that you and a buddy can work the wire back and forth. The object is to slice through the window seal and not your hands. I had the windshield out of my convertible in no more than 20 minutes by this method. I wish I had removed it before doing all of my work (and cracking it in the process).
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Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 2
From: Flanders NJ
Originally Posted by CA-Legal-Vette
I have a craxked windshield that needs to be replaced. Before I do that, I thought that I'd replace the windshield rubber seal and have a look around for any pillar issues. Does anyone know how to renove the windshield? Since I'm replacing the rubber, I suppose that I could just cut it, but therer must be a better way.
