73-87chevytrucks.com
General Site Info => General Discussion => Topic started by: winky on March 06, 2014, 11:11:11 pm
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In Progress
I'm going to be doing a step by step guide on replacing a windshield. Pretty much all windshields are the same (held in with urethane) some require more panels to be removed etc. Please take this information and use it wisely. I am in no way responsible for any damage you may cause by following these steps :D But seriously its so easy a cave man could do it (besides the 99-04 gm trucks/Tahoe's) If you feel i have left anything out or need to ad something feel free to comment, This post is to help other people so the more advice the better.
i know... my phone camera is HORRIBLE so one day when we are slow at work i will take pictures with my new camera and change them over.
I believe the vehicle in the pictures is a 2010-2012 GM truck. From my experience pretty much all GM Trucks (including SUVs) from 99-2012 are the same process as far as panel removal. some may have different bolt sizes or no bolts in some places, just use common sense and take time to understand how everything comes apart.
TOOLS
Clip tool
[picture]
Gasket Scraper
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/josh_brooks2/IMG_20140312_110219_021.jpg) (http://s1269.photobucket.com/user/josh_brooks2/media/IMG_20140312_110219_021.jpg.html)
Torx Bits
[picture]
Cold Knife
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/josh_brooks2/IMG_20140312_084559_300.jpg) (http://s1269.photobucket.com/user/josh_brooks2/media/IMG_20140312_084559_300.jpg.html)
Equalizer
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/josh_brooks2/IMG_20140220_115106_371.jpg) (http://s1269.photobucket.com/user/josh_brooks2/media/IMG_20140220_115106_371.jpg.html)
Razor Stick
[picture]
Urethane Gun
[picture]
Paint Paddle
Gloves
Safety Glasses
1/4" Ratchet
1/4" Extension
7MM socket
10MM socket
15MM (3/8 drive)
3/8 Ratchet
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Alright, lets get started.
TEAR DOWN
First Remove the antenna (just unscrew it, may not have to be removed on some vehicles)
Remove the corner caps. - Use the clip tool to pop them up.
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/josh_brooks2/IMG_20140220_134213_316.jpg) (http://s1269.photobucket.com/user/josh_brooks2/media/IMG_20140220_134213_316.jpg.html)
once you have removed both of those we need to remove the windshield wipers. they are usually a 15MM or a pull tab that releases them. I usually lift the wiper into the up position and rock it a little bit to make it come lose. (some wiper arms also have a washer line that will need to be unhooked, just twist and pull and it should come off)
(this is an 07' classic chevy, just pop the covers off with a clip tool and remove the [13mm] Bolts. You can see the washer line i referred to earlier)
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/josh_brooks2/IMG_20140312_101737_842.jpg) (http://s1269.photobucket.com/user/josh_brooks2/media/IMG_20140312_101737_842.jpg.html)
Now we are ready for the cowl to come off. first remove the 4 retaining clips on the front of the cowl (clip tool works well for this)
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/josh_brooks2/IMG_20140220_134026_355.jpg) (http://s1269.photobucket.com/user/josh_brooks2/media/IMG_20140220_134026_355.jpg.html)
From left to right here are the (4) retaining clips, wiper caps, and the nuts for the wiper arm.
(07' classic again)
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/josh_brooks2/IMG_20140312_084318_419.jpg) (http://s1269.photobucket.com/user/josh_brooks2/media/IMG_20140312_084318_419.jpg.html)
Next we need to unhook the washer lines they are normally located on the inner driver side fender, there is a rubber connector you just pull the line out of.
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/josh_brooks2/IMG_20140220_133608_745.jpg) (http://s1269.photobucket.com/user/josh_brooks2/media/IMG_20140220_133608_745.jpg.html)
There are (4) 7MM screws (some may be torx screws) and a push in holding the cowl on now. there are 2 screws on each side under the end caps you removed, the push in is near the middle of the cowl closer to the passenger side. once the screws have been removed give it a nice tug and it should pop lose, if not get behind it with the clip tool and CAREFULLY pry it out.
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/josh_brooks2/IMG_20140220_133748_502.jpg) (http://s1269.photobucket.com/user/josh_brooks2/media/IMG_20140220_133748_502.jpg.html)
[picture]
After the cowl is lose i normally pull it towards the front of the vehicle and remove it from the passenger side. There is a ground strap going to the hood that you can remove if it gets in your way (10MM nut). Removing the cowl can be aggravating sometimes so just be careful and take your time.
[picture]
now we need to remove the side covers. Open the door and on the top of the cab running down the pillar you will notice a rubber molding, pull it up and it will come off.
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/josh_brooks2/IMG_20140220_115159_254.jpg) (http://s1269.photobucket.com/user/josh_brooks2/media/IMG_20140220_115159_254.jpg.html)
Now you will have access to the torx bolts that are holding the side plate on. Remove all the screws except for the very bottom one. You should be able to just rotate it down and out of the way now.
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/josh_brooks2/IMG_20140220_115143_980.jpg) (http://s1269.photobucket.com/user/josh_brooks2/media/IMG_20140220_115143_980.jpg.html)
Now we are ready for the inside! getting close ;)
You need to remove your rear view mirror. there is one torx screw in the very bottom (t10 i believe) loosen it and the mirror should be able to slide up and off. Some vehicles have a wiring harness if so just press the release tab on the clip and remove it.
[picture]
I normally will remove the inner pillar covers to prevent any mishaps. on this truck there will be a 7MM on the driver side and (2) 10MM on the passenger side. They are located behind two tabs.
Use a small pic or screw driver to pop the tabs off.
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/josh_brooks2/IMG_20140220_134550_355.jpg) (http://s1269.photobucket.com/user/josh_brooks2/media/IMG_20140220_134550_355.jpg.html)
you are now ready for the fun part :D
Glass Removal
The first thing i usually do when getting ready to cut a glass out is remove any moldings that are made on the glass (if possible) On Chevrolet trucks there is usually just one on the top for the glass. normally if you can grab it with some needle nose pliers and then get regular pliers on it and pull up and back towards the rear of the vehicle you can remove it. If this does not work i take a razor and cut it as close to the glass as i can. This allows the cold knife to cut further into the urethane.
[picture]
Now you are ready to try the cold knife, you want to holt the handle up straight in one and and push or pull the cable handle with the other. i would recommend watching a few videos on you tube on how to use it. You can mess the paint up pretty bad if you let this thing slip. you want to insert the blade of the cold knife in one corner and run it all the way down the side, then all the way across the top and other side. usually the cold knife will not get the bottom line of urethane.
(i pushed it in the top corner and just pulled it down the side. this does require some force.)
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/josh_brooks2/IMG_20140312_084611_500.jpg) (http://s1269.photobucket.com/user/josh_brooks2/media/IMG_20140312_084611_500.jpg.html)
Once you have ran the cold knife across it a few times you are ready to check and see how much of the windshield is lose. I bump the inside of the windshield with my palm and watch to see if it pops up a little. If the windshield does then it is good there. If not... you are going to need to use the equalizer.
[picture]
I almost always have to use the equalizer on the corners and bottoms of windshields. You can put different length shields and blade to adjust for the job you are doing. The most important thing is to pay close attention to what you are doing and do not let it vibrate against any of the interior peaces (vibrates just like a saw-zaw). I normally get some window cleaner and spray it on the inside of the windshield where it is urethaned this helps the blade cut threw with less friction (just like tapping oil when you drilling) On these trucks i start in one of the top corners i push the blade threw the urethane and then start cutting. I just run it all the way down the side and across the bottom, then start at the top of the other side and pull it to the bottom (easier to control pulling down than pushing up)
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj582/josh_brooks2/IMG_20140312_084535_274.jpg) (http://s1269.photobucket.com/user/josh_brooks2/media/IMG_20140312_084535_274.jpg.html)
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I plan on updating this with better and more accurate pictures next time i replace a windshield. i apologize for the crappy pics lol but i wasn't sure if i was going to do a write up so i just snapped a few.
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i know this "guide" is just creeping along at the moment but if anyone has questions or any input so far post :)