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DIY: replacing corner windows

Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2005 2:19 am
by scottzg
has anyone ever replaced a rear quarter window? My car dun got busted in to last night and someone jacked my cheapo cd player. I'd rather diy this if i can, what's involved?

Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2005 3:30 am
by Binford
I've got Plexi' glued in on mine. PO did it 'cuase he couldn't find a replacement. Looks pretty good except a little sloppy with the glue. :P

Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2005 4:01 am
by subawhatsubawho
I had a cavalier that got proken into as well. I went the plexy glass route but I took all the glass out of the window moulding and pressed the P-glass in. It was only quarter-ass instead of half-ass.

Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2005 11:12 pm
by scottzg
So i went ahead and fixed this myself, figured i'd write the job up, since i learned a few tricks.

I went down to the junk yard and pulled a corner window ($20). A knife or boxcutter will chip up the edge of the surprisingly brittle glass, and so the way to go is to use a 3' fine braided wire, like a bike brake line (2.00). Start at the top and use it like a saw to cut the glue, i tied it around 2 spark plug wires so it didnt cut my hands. Don't go full speed or you will burn up your wire. This should only take about 3 minutes. To would-be criminals; removing the window this way saves the owner a lot of pain and doesnt cost any time, you asshole!

My rear corner window, as it turned out, had been broken before, and the last person to replace it had used a hard sealing glue. I needed a chisel to take out the remains of the old window. Be sure to get a flat, even surface on the removed stuff, as this will be the source of air leaks.

The window is stuck in with RTV. I used silicone window glue, since i already had it lying around from a previous project. I hope it works, i think it should. Put down a good thick line on both the car and the new window and stick it on. Apply as much pressure as you safely can, and weight the window in place. I did this by pushing a 2x4 between the window and the wall i was parked next to. In 24 hours it should be cured.

Total cost- 22$
Time invested- 4.5 hours (should take 2 if you have all the tools)


I hope this isn't needed by anyone. :?

Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2005 2:28 am
by Legacy777
Nice write-up Scott!!

The rear driver's corner window was broken in my car before I got it. It's got different glass, and I found some glass pieces when I was installing my stereo way back when i got it.

Re: DIY: replacing corner windows

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 4:11 pm
by mrmilkman
when you guys replaced the rear quarter windows, did you use rubber seals? Or just glue the glass straight in?

Re: DIY: replacing corner windows

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 11:27 pm
by Mattheww044
i am having the same issue with mine. Its broked, and I have the window, the trim, and the "glue". what exactly did you do to get your trim on there? I CANT get one off of a junkyard car without those damn clips breaking, and really dont feel like paying dealership prices for the trim/clips. How did you go about getting it on there and keeping it clean?

Re: DIY: replacing corner windows

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 4:05 am
by mrmilkman
No one could help me here, but someone did on an Australian forum already. It was hard for me to find the answer so I will post what I was told to do:

they are glued in as such, take the black stuff off both the car and the glass, hed down to superchump and buy a tube of Sika flex 552 in black, bloody dear stuff but thats what is used to hold windscreens in!! dont used silicone, the window will prob fall out in 12 months time.

Thanks 89RSturbo :smt023