15 year hiatus – getting started again – rear windshield removal question

triplesn8s · 01-04-2020, 07:53 PM

Hi all,
My last post was 15 years ago this month. Meaning my youngest kid is now 15 years old. I have a 72 911 T that I am going to continue refurbishing, continuing what I started 15 years ago. Back then I thought G this Porsche is rusty, and I was debating what to do. In the ensuing 15 years I’ve seen other rustbucket reassembled, and with all the sheet-metal now available for patches this car just needs some patching and a repaint. Now that I have it truly apart I have discovered the floorboards are perfect, the lower windshield corners are outstanding, it’s got a couple of holes at the base of the door hinge posts some rot just in front of the rocker where 15 years ago I was able to knock a hole by being very aggressive with a pneumatic needle scaler. It has your typical under window rust on the driver side, but everything rearward of that is very sound. And I bought a used quarter panel 15 years ago. in the big picture, I am looking at some repair and refer, I don’t want to go to the Shell with a blast, too much money and ultimately takes too long, I’m no spring chicken and I want to drive it. Part of the challenge is finding a good and knowledgeable Porsche specialist who is ruling to do partial work, everybody wants to take it to the bare Shell for 50 grand. I’m not gonna do that. I want a real nice Driver that I don’t have to fret about a little wear and tear, a stone chip or a minor door ding. But I want it to be solid and well-built driver.

triplesn8s · 01-04-2020, 07:57 PM

So I am removing the heated rear window. It is loose but still connected by the wires. Should I try to disconnect the wires at the speed connector on the window itself or do I have to trace the wires back to that secondary fuse box by the ignition system And pull them through? I don’t mind taking an hour if necessary with handpicks to clean up those spade connectors before I pull them they all look shiny and to be in good condition. I’m not sure the windshield still works, but I don’t want to be the one that screws it up. TIA for your advice.

ian c2 · 01-04-2020, 08:20 PM

If only more people posted as often as you do .....

ian c2 · 01-04-2020, 08:23 PM

Have a look around for crc electrical contact cleaner .
Spray it on all the connections and give them a wiggle ...
You can tell by feel when you need to spray more , and when they’re going to pop off .

john walker's workshop · 01-04-2020, 08:35 PM

Disconnect in the engine area and pull them through.

ian c2 · 01-04-2020, 08:37 PM

As with most wiring removal , Tape a piece of string on first so you have a pull-wire for re-install .

triplesn8s · 01-05-2020, 11:59 AM

Thanks for the tips. Looks like I will have to pull out the ignition system as I cannot tell if the feed wires off the fuse box or the two at the front or the rear of the box. Pretty accessible but can’t see it at the same time. I will pull the wires through and once I get the windshield completely away try the CRC spray trick to wiggle them loose. Not sure how they are attached to the window, I’m afraid of breaking the heating element film. Thanks again for the advice

tdw28210 · tdw28210's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

Disconnect in the engine area and pull them through.

^^This. Pulled my heated rear glass in my '77 with no issues. Just take it slow and have some place to set it once you get it out. I used a padded/folding body work stand from Harbor Freight. Here's another tip. I used a "magic eraser" and micro fiber towels to get the grime off the glass with getting overly aggressive and possibly damaging the wires. Takes some elbow grease, but it worked. Good luck.