Wanting to remove the busted windshield on my winter project. Going to have the new one professionally installed later but need this one out now. Any advice on how to remove it without damaging the trim pieces?

 

to the best of my knowledge, there is no way... the trim pieces bite it when the windscreen is removed.

 

Take them off. Going from memory here. I haven't done a C4 windshield in a year or so. You take the gasket off the A pillar trims, there should be screws under there. Same for the trim across the top of the windshield. There'll be an adhesive foam tape under the trims. It usually takes some careful prying to get them offThe gasket is the piece that usually gets destroyed.

The exception is going to be if the windshield has been replaced before and the installer urethaned the trims to the windshield and frame. It's one way to get rid of that annoying drip from the upper corners where the door glass, windshield trim and top come together. You'll need to cut the urethane to get them off in that case.

 

The windshield is not easily removed. The trim, as mentioned, can be removed by removing all the screws from the surrounding trim on the sides of the windshield frame and above the frame. There are two side trim pieces on each side, one holds the weatherstrip (retainer) and the other one is the windshield trim, which is the black trim piece you see next to the edge of the windshield. Once all of the trim is removed, A PROFESSIONAL WITH PROPER TOOLS can remove the windshield without damaging the existing adhesive which needs to remain on the windshield frame around the entire perimeter. This is not a job for the DIYer. If you attempt to remove the windshield without the proper tools the damage you may create will cause problems for the installation of the new windshield which may significantly increase the cost of the installation. I don't know why you need to remove the windshield yourself but this is one vehicle you don't really want to mess with. I'm sure Glasman will find this post and add a reply.

Art

 

I have tried to take out 2 of them and broke both. Wasnt bad till I had to do the bottom and then I cracked them. Not a easy thing to do.

 

The one in the car right now is already busted so I really don't care about it. I just wanted it out to make it easier to work on until I get the car finished and ready to have a professional install the new one. I'm stipping the car down to the frame and rebuilding it and am wanting to paint the frame and fire wall and such and having the windshield out would make it easier.

 

As long as you don't hack up the adhesive bed the windshield is lying in you'll probably be ok. Here's my reason, IMO:

Unless you have the very edges of the windshield removed professionally, I wouldn't recommend trying to remove any of the glass that is still held on with the adhesive. The "bed" of adhesive that remains after the windshield is removed is an integral part of the new installation. When the windshield is cut from the existing bed of adhesive the new windshield will lie very close to where it needs to be. The installer may trim the bed lower to make room for the new bead of adhesive that will be laid down. It's very important that when the new windshield is installed that it be placed at the same height from the windshield frame as the original, including the sides and the bottom from the firewall. The position of the windshield, trim, and weatherstrip retainers are important for the old/new weatherstrip, when re-installed, to seal properly to the roof and side glass. When the new windshield is installed with a new bead of adhesive onto the old bed of adhesive, the installer uses the upper and side trim to realign the position of the glass. The upper and side trim piece screws, when reinstalled, will probably go right back into the original holes they were removed from. The side weatherstrip retainers will probably do the same. Also, if you remove the trim from the windshield, don't bring them with you, and try to have the windshield installed there is no reference point to the height or position of the windshield. The installer may refuse or not guarantee any leaking into the vehicle because you don't have the trim.

Removing the shards of glass from the windshield frame without the proper tools is dangerous. You can easily cut the $h!t out of yourself. Even with skinning knives or razor knifes or blades you risk damaging not only the car, but the adhesive bed mentioned above, or hurting yourself. I'm sure with enough patience you could remove the windshield, just keep the points I mentioned above in mind.

Art

 

As far as removing the trim you'll probably ruin the weatherstrip to get to the fastening screws. It sounds like you're restoring the car so the condition of the existing weatherstrip is probably unimportant. You'll probably have to remove the plastic covers over the visors attachment points (it's been awhile). Remove the outer frame weatherstrip from the retainers to reveal the attachment screws. Remove the screws and carefully pry the side weatherstrip retainers from the car. Remove the windshield trim attaching screws from the sides and upper windshield. As mentioned, these may still be attached with the original foam tape or with windshield adhesive. You'll find out right away. Once this is done the windshield can be removed.

Art

 

One more think to be frightened of...