Tips for removing the windshield

[jwakil]

I've read several good threads for installing the windshield, but can't find much on removing. The instructions for a 930 I've seen suggest that the chrome molding piece is first removed from the outside, then rubber seal must be cut on the inside and pulled off, then the windshield should come right off.

Any other advice?
Does this mean a new seal is required for every replacement?

[Josh D]

Cut seal first on windshield side of the outside before removing trim so you don't damage it.

[gshiwota]

Don't try pulling the window trim before removing the windshield. They are soft so it's really easy to bend out them of shape and really difficult to bend back into the right shape.

I just pulled my windshield last week. I cut the rubber on the inside around the perimeter of the window holding the razor parallel to the window. If the rubber is old, just cut it and replace it.

If the rubber is new, you could probably just bend the lip of the rubber from the inside and push the window out. I've never had this experience as all of my cars had original or really old window seals which is just easier to cut.

[AVDCAV]

Just smack it out from inside with your hand takes 2 minutes
Dont cut anything this a CAKE job.

It will pop right out

[javadog]

Use gentle pressure on an inside, upper corner and see if you can get it started out. Should come right out, unless there's been some windshield sealant used somewhere.

Whatever you do, don't remove the trim with the windshield in the car.

JR

[KTL]

Yes, cut the seal to relieve the grip it has on the body of the car. DO NOT pull the metal trim frame out of the seal with the seal still installed on the glass and in the car. Like the other guys said, the metal trim is VERY delicate and EXTREMELY easy to bend. Once you've bent it, its forever going to look uneven and wavy.

Unless the seal you're removing is a recently installed seal? Like, it has been installed within the last year. Otherwise I would not recommend re-using a seal. You're asking for leaks and wind noise re-using an old seal.

[Joe Bob]

Piano wire, thread it through and slide....

[gshiwota]

Old rubber seals also become hard as rock so I wouldn't suggest smacking it out. The amount of force required to smack the window out of my car would have cracked the windshield for sure. It actually doesn't take too much to crack a windshield. As me how I know... I cracked it removing the glued-on mirror base. Cutting and removing the window is a 10 minute job. A new seal is $50 from our host here. Reninstalling the rubber and trim... that's another deal and will take you more than 10 minutes.

On the otherhand, If the seal is realtively new smacking it out would be an easy job and save you the pain of reinstalling the trim.

[jwakil]

Originally Posted by javadog

Use gentle pressure on an inside, upper corner and see if you can get it started out. Should come right out, unless there's been some windshield sealant used somewhere.

Whatever you do, don't remove the trim with the windshield in the car.

JR

You guys were right, gentle pressure on the upper inside corners popped the windshield right out. Two minute job, no cutting involved! Best of all, I think my seal is soft enough to reuse and still fully installed on the glass. I will try to see if it will go back on without leaking, then decide if I want to order a new one.

[Kraftwerk]

As far as removal after the seal is 'freed' I used those 'clamps ' which glass carriers use, to simply pull it off, its basically a handle which attaches to glass.. then I drove my car 20 miles w/o a wind shield to get the new one installed. That was fun...

[D@vid]

I've found that an easy way to remove the trim without damaging it, is by using a piece of string to pull it out safely. (use gloves to protect your hands)

[Rich76_911s]

I've removed windshields a few times.

First time I did it I removed the trim first then pulled the window out. In the process I ruined the trim. As others have mentioned I would highly recommend NOT removing the trim before the windshield is out of the car.

The second time I did it, I used a razor and cut the rubber molding. This worked and didn't ruin anything, but it was a bit unnerving using a razor near good paint. It requires a good bit of force too.

The third time I did it. I used a flat head screw driver on the inside of the car and I went around the windshield pushing the rubber molding over the metal lip. Once I got around the full circumference of the windshield it pushed out with little to no effort. This was by far my favorite method and the one I will use going forward. If the seal is good I'd say you could even reuse it if this method is used to remove the windshield.

Make sure when you get a new windshield seal to get the more expensive one. There have been some poor fitment issues with the lower quality seals.

Rich

[group911@aol.co]

You didn't say if you are trying to save the glass or not. If not, sit in the passengers seat, put your feet up against the glass and push it out.
On cutting the seal, I'm convinced that the majority of the rusty windshield surrounds came from somebody cutting a seal out previously and gouging the paint.

[javadog]

I think it's funny that, several days after he got the glass out, people are still telling him how he should do it.

JR