Reinstalling fixed rear quarter window -- tricks or tips?

[techweenie]

Got my car back from paint with one rear quarter window not installed. I've put front & rear glass in many times, but never fixed quarter glass. The seal seems pretty tough, and likely to require a lot of pressure on the outside while pulling a rope to seat the inner flap. Gotta be a trick to this!

Anyone?

[toolman]

No Trick, but you have to push on the window harder than you think. They were way tougher than the windshield. Use plenty of lube and have someone push from the outside with all their might, and use a cotter key puller (hook tool) to help pull the seal over the metal edge if the rope slips out. Be careful because you could rip the seal with the hook. I thought I was going to break the glass when we installed them.

[techweenie]

Ah, so the trick is to get a large friend to lean on it!

:-)

I watched this particular window being pried out and was stunned at how much the glass deflected without breaking...

[group911@aol.co]

I wish there were a trick. The real trick is keeping the trim in the channel while all this takes place. Lots-o-lube and patience.
I think I remember starting at the front on the pillar, then across the bottom.

[rboylan]

The proper way to install the rear quarter glass requires spray silicon/WD 40 and a 3 foot section of thin rope. The idea is to lube the seal and pre-set the rope so it smeets at the front vertical section midway down on the glass/seal. As a helper applies good pressure from the outside of the glass you follow his pressure by pulling the rope and setting the inner part of the seal. It's a fairly easy job if done correctly. Send me a PM with your number and I'll give you a ring to discuss. Good luck.

Rich

[Tim Hancock]

When I pulled my glass, to put in a new headliner and interior, I found that the PO had not seated the front pillar properly (which explained why my doors did not shut properly). I thought to myself how big of a moron the PO was.....Well when I went to reinstall the rear quarters with new seals, I at least now understood how it had happened. Those rear quarters were the hardest part of my whole interior upgrade including the headliner! Getting the front part properly engaged was a beotch. Of course I used Palmolive soap and a cord, but it took several trys. As Toolman said above, you can definitely help yourself with a hook tool for when you have it nearly installed, but a few places need a bit of help when they start to back away from being properly seated.

The front and rear glass were WAY easier for me. Keep trying, you will get it eventually.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

I reinstalled the rear quarter windows using the original seals (new) and thin plastic, not glass. (No need for Lexan there, which is what I have in the front and rear windshields.) Hardly possible to push on them at all hard, so that's really not necesssary. Mechanical prying of the seal is more important.

[techweenie]

Thanks for all the advice. I guess the only missing ingredient is the large friend to push in on the glass.

When I compare the stiffness of the rubber on this seal to that of the front & rear glass, it's a bit intimidating, but I'm ready to try.

I also put out the word that I could use a pair of pop out quarter window frames & hinges -- just in case!

[ninelevenick]

About two months ago, my friend, who used to be in the auto restoration/detailing business, helped me install the left quarter window and seal on my car. It took us about six attempts until it finally seated correctly. I was the one pushing on the outside. Make sure that you and your buddy insert the rubber into the pillar first and then over the whole opening before roping the seals. As the guy on the outside, I should have spotted how the seal was not seated correctly along the pillar; if I hadn't been such a dope, we probably would have nailed it within two attempts.