Rear Windscreen removal

Post by **croft** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 5:24 pm

Hi all, it time to remove my rear windscreen and was wondering if anyone has any tips! I've had a quick look at it and the rubber is really hard. Should I take it out from inside the car or from the outside? The inside rubber lip looks a lot bigger than the outside part. Thanks in advance Croft

Post by **aupickup** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 5:27 pm

it goes back in from the inside so i would guess it comes out from the inside

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 5:37 pm

If the rubber is really hard - you may be better to just cut it with a sharp knife and budget for a new rubber when the time comes. They are really difficult to re-fit at best of times, and a hard rubber will make it even worse!

Post by **Peetee** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:54 pm

I cut the rubber around from the outside.
Refitting is difficult for the inexperienced. It's a 2 person job and you need to apply a frightening amount of force to the screen to press it in to place.

Post by **aupickup** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:00 pm

lucky i am not doing mine

Post by **alanworland** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:21 pm

I first changed my rear rubber years ago and it was an absolute PIG, I even split it getting it in!
I fitted my last one a year or so ago, and it went like a dream! took me about 15 minutes!
Someone must have been looking down on me!

Post by **Dean** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:20 pm

At work they paint a washing up liquid solution over the rubber first to get it to slip easier... has anyone ever tried this?

Post by **DAVIDMCCULLOUGH** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:41 pm

I use quite a thick cord and cover this with fairy liquid before I start. As already said at least a two man job, and so much handier to do if the rear side windows are out or if its a four door!! One inside pushing the glass up to the hole, one pulling the string outside and if you have a third pulling or pushing the glass left or right to help it go in. Go very carefully at the rounded corners as it will often cut into the rubber here. Would rather change a master cylinder than do another back window

(hope I havent scudded myself by saying that....)

Post by **croft** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:50 pm

Thanks all, I will take the easy way out and cut it out! I was going to fit a new rubber anyway but would have liked to try taking it out, at least I now know it comes out and goes in from the inside! Have a good friend who works for aut**lass so will leave it to him to re-fit both the front and rear!!

Post by **alainmoran** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 12:30 am

re-fitting the rear isnt so bad, the front on the other hand is downright impossible ... i gave up on mine and had autoglass do it for me.

Post by **tortron** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 1:33 am

just removed my rear screen, dont know what was put under it 50 years ago but i had to chip half of the rubber off

otherwise easy to get the glass out

Now to put it back in (tried by myself but i can only contort so much to hold it with both feet, a hand and pull the cord at the same time) so shall wait for the flatmate to get home

Post by **JuNK512G** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 9:38 am

I refitted mine recently with a new rubber, er indoors tried to help & complained that her arms ached after fifteen minutes,she objected to my language & went away. After a lot of thought on leverages & suchlike, I propped it up on two housebricks, held it in place with a yardbroom wedged against a front seat base & amazingly got it in on my own.

Post by **alanworland** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 3:56 pm

When I fitted my first rear window as I said earlier it was a pig and we ended up using a jack from the cross member to the window - unbelievable! (must be said like Victor Mildrew)

Post by **croft** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 7:56 pm

Well the screens out! the rubber was rock hard and there was no-way it was coming out other than cutting it out! Now that I've seen it in profile I was trying to take it out the right way but just the stiffness was stopping me. might have a go putting it back in myself but if its a hassle I will leave it to my pal.

Post by **alainmoran** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 8:38 pm

Its not too bad, but if your pal doesnt mind doing it then I'd leave it to him ... he'll do it in a LOT less time and he'll only ned to do it once (I had to put mine half in a few times before I got it right) ... still its worth the sense of acheivement doing it yourself.

Post by **tortron** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 9:43 pm

JuNK512G wrote:I refitted mine recently with a new rubber, er indoors tried to help & complained that her arms ached after fifteen minutes,she objected to my language & went away. After a lot of thought on leverages & suchlike, I propped it up on two housebricks, held it in place with a yardbroom wedged against a front seat base & amazingly got it in on my own.

i just got mine in in under 15 minutes using a similar method - i used 3 angle cardboard things (like would be on the edges of a new oven when they send it) to prop it tightly against the hole
and a plastic coated wire washingline

Very easy - i used an esm rubber - perhaps a little bigger than it wanted to be? will wait and see how it settles and handles the next rain