Need help with side window removal

Chairpilot and other experts, please help!!

I need to remove the side windows to replace the parcel shelf material. I've read all the old posts a bunch of times, but I cannot figure out how to get the glass out. Chairpilot's claim of '30 seconds per side' sure doesn't make me feel any better.

Car is an '84 GTB. I have the C channel inner molding removed that's in between the parcel shelf and the window molding. But nothing removed on the outside. When I push on the glass really hard, it doesn't move at all. I've tried to pry up the edge of the rubber to get it out, but it doesn't help. Do I need to remove some other trim first?

The only rivets I can see are on the inside vertically along the B pillar. I don't see how drilling those would help anything.
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Mine's leaking too so I'm very interested in how this goes for you.
Please keep good notes!

 

The only rivets in my 328 held trim pieces.

To remove the window, softly push out from the inside. Take your time. Remove the single-piece gasket, and clean everything very well prior to reinstalling.

When I reinstalled, I placed some small (insulated) electronics wire in the gasket and pulled it into the inside to cause the gasket to re-seat; do this while pushing the window into the inside from outside. It may take a few tries.

 

This may sound brutish, but you just need to put some muscle into it. Working from the inside at a window corner, use a flat tool (a screwdriver if you're careful or a small wood or plastic paddle) to roll the edge of the rubber seal toward the glass, then gently push it outward past the metal lip of the window opening. All you need is to get it started with one small section. As the seal is pushed outward, you should be able to get your fingers under the seal from the outside. Once you do, slowly pull the corner outward while pushing gently from the inside. When it starts moving, the entire window will just peel away as the seal rolls off the window opening lip.

I had to do this with both windows -- twice. 30 seconds per side is a pretty good estimate.

 

So the only thing holding the window in is the gasket? No clips, no metal pieces?
And then WD40 or some such lubricant might help slip it out?

 

I can't speak for the GTB, but the rubber seal is the only thing holding the window on a GTS. The seal has an H shaped profile -- the glass is in the inner part of the H and the metal window frame lip is in the outer part of the H.

 

I drilled out the rivets. That didn't do anything. I must be missing something...I've spent hours pushing and prying everything. It doesn't budge at all. I know you're thinking I'm just weak, but I'm attempting to break the glass.

Does the rubber seal come out with the window when I push and pry, or am I trying to push the window out leaving the rubber seal there to be removed later?

Has anyone with a GTB done this before? I know the windows and seals are slightly different than a GTS.

 

i feel your pain. i too have wanted to do this but have been scared i'd break the glass. good luck. please provide photos and techniques for us faint of heart with stained parcel shelves

 

Jason, as you know, I recently completed this project on my 328 (GTS). Unfortunately, I can't give you any guidance on your GTB as I understand that the window seal is a bit different than the GTS and your photos confirm this. For me it was a total gut check when I started pushing on the window as I thought for sure I was going to break the glass. This is the method I used: Using a thin nylon trim removal tool I slid it between the window and the rubber seal on the outside starting at the lower corner closest to the door/front of the car. After hooking the lower corner of the glass with the edge of the tool, I levered the corner of the glass out of the rubber seal using both the trim removal tool from the outside and gentle pressure on the same corner from the inside with my hand. After the corner was free, I was able to maneuver the glass out quite easily. Not sure this will be helpful for you, again remember this was on a GTS.

 

I got it. I'll post better pictures tomorrow, but pushing on the glass for the next 1000 years wouldn't have done it. The entire glass/ trim package comes out as one piece. there's nearly a half inch overlap of the glass on all sides. Pushing that out would never have happened on my car anyway.

 

Post, Post! Inquiring minds want to know!

 

I'll try to explain how I got these out.

The side windows and surrounding trim come out as one piece. On the gas filler side, there are 4 rivets at the front and 2 at the rear. On the other side, there are 4 rivets at the front and 1 peg at the back that fits into a slot in the body. That side is much easier to remove. The first pic shows the 4 rivets at the front that need to be drilled. the second pic shows the fuel filler side. open the fuel door and you'll see 2 rivets at the front edge. Drill those out. the problem is that they'll still be holding the trim in, you'll have to somehow cut them off between the trim and the body. the last pic shows the other side. notice the round hole at the back edge where the peg goes into. Once you've got the rivets drilled, slide something between the trim and the body at the forward edge on the B pillar. just keep wedging it in to break the seal of the old black goo. Once it starts coming away, pry it with your hands and you'll remove the whole glass/ trim package.
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The outer rubber seal is different on the GTS vs. the GTB. Dramatically different. A 'C' section for the GTB, an 'L' section for the GTS. This is why the seal cannot simply be pealed out on the GTB, the whole window sub-frame has to be removed.

Newman has gone through this and was kind enough to explain it to me. Here is his description below:

This is my next big project as I have leaks in that area. When I do the job I'll post pics. I'll probably have to take out the rear shelf as well and replace the carpet it's stained.

-F

 

Those are some wierd bolts that hold the mullion corners, I lost one from my GTB and had to MAKE an equivalent......

 

Tex, I ruined two of those weird bolts. They sort of just fell apart. I'll be looking around for something I can use in their place, hopefully won't have to make anything though.

 

Hi Jason!

Sorry I was not on line or there for you these past few days. Looks like you finally got it handled with the Fchat population - good! GTB's & GTS's are certainly different. My rubber seals were not stuck on with any black goo and my glass had no dedicated metal frame around it, just he rubber seal into the body lips. which made my removal quite easy.

PM 'ing me will go direct to my Blackberry email if time is ever of the essence.

Bob R.

 

This thread is a big help--I'm trying to learn how to remove my 87 328 GTB's LH rear quarter glass. My fuel filler door's hinges both broke, and the lower hinge pin can't be removed without removing the C-pillar; not enough clearance from the horizontal black body trim. That single rear moulding piece cannot be removed alone; the entire glass and it 4 surrounding moldings apparently need to come off as one unit. (Unless somebody can tell me different.)

So, I'm having to remove the entire glass/moulding assembly on my GTB. I've already removed the rear rivets near the gas cap; now I think I only need to drill out the forward 4 rivets, then push out. I've ordered a glass suction cup and plastic trim tools to do the job right, soon as everything arrives I'll move forward. Great thread,

Greg in Houston

 

Oh yeah, I forgot about this thread. Viper_driver helped me out a lot. And now Sherpa owns his car. It's a small world.

Pretty much all you need is in here, along with the others (Newman's, my shots showing the plastic tools cutting through the seals).

So how's it going? BTW, even after the rivets are drilled out it will require some moderate force in various areas to get the window out. It's best to break the seals with the plastic tools.

-F

 

Furman, thanks for responding here as well. Fairly confident I understand the procedure now, thanks mostly to you. I've got tools on order, once they arrive I'm digging in further!

Greg