how to remove this van window w/o breaking it!

[Dan_69GTX]

Anyone know how these aftermarket conversion van windows are installed?



I want to remove them when painting the vehicle.



No, I haven't looked into it yet so the interior is still all there.



Thanks!

Dan

 

[Dan_69GTX]

If I would have attached the image - that would be helpful!!



sorry

 

[Dan_69GTX]

ok, this is getting frustrating! I KNOW I attached the image that time!



Here is the link:

#ad

 

[Scot]

Assuming that they are tempered glass...



Try this if it is the standard rubber with the lip on the inside. Go buy enough cheap hacksaw blades so that after you break each one in half, you have enough to stick one in the gasket every 4" or so.



(from the inside) Stick the rounded end of the blade in between the rubber and body so that the inner lip bulges out Once you get all of them in, you should be able to work around the inside of the window and slowly and gently push it out with your hands.

 

[Whitmore]

Scot is right

And then to put it back in just put some 1/4 " rope all around the gasket in the joint, get someone to hold the window up to the hole and then stast on one end of the rope , pull it inside , this will cause the rubber to pull itself inside the steal frame of the van... ... ... ... . 2 minute trick.



cheers, Kevin

 

[Bill Lins]

Hard to tell from the picture if it is set in a rubber gasket with a chromed plastic locking strip or if it is a clamp-style (no rubber) unit.



If gasket, pull the chrome locking strip out of the rubber, then carefully work the unit out of the rubber with a nylon stick (available at any auto glass shop).



If there is no rubber around the unit, it is a clamp-style unit. Remove any trim around the inside of the unit. There will be a clamp ring with beaucoup screws that'll need to be removed. After that, carefully pull the frame out from the outside. You may need to cut the frame loose from sealant with a razor knife.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Thanks for your help guys!!



It isn't a rubber gasket so the rope idea is out (done that before)



Bill hit the nail on the head! Take off the inside trim panels and there is a aluminum frame that screws to the window. This frame pinches the van wall between it and the window (which is what holds it in place). And it has about 35+ screws.



Thanks again!!



I'm glad I'm taking them out instead of taping them and painting the van. There is a fair amount of rust forming between the window and the van.