Windscreen removal how-to?

The big-name glass company wants lots of money for a new windshield for my BMW, but I have a line on a parts car with an intact screen. Is there an easy, DIY-friendly way to remove a windshield without breaking it? I don't plan on reinstalling it myself, but I figure getting it out is probably easier than putting it back.

Thanks

I would find a mobile glass guy to do both the pull and install.

The Harbor Freight windshield removal kit works just fine with two people, provided you watch the angles on the cable. That's what we've done for our Challenge Miata, but I'm sure you've got higher standards than we do.

I pulled the windsheild out of my miata in one piece. I poked a small hole in the goo around the glass. I fed a piece of speedo cable through and wrapped each end around a piece of wood for a handle. I then 'sawed' my way through the goo and the windsheild came out. It was pretty easy.

I paid just over a hundred bucks for a new windshield, installed, in my 318ti. Shop around.

i dont remember if an e28 is glued in or not. if its like an e30 and its held in place by a gasket and lockstrip then you can do it reasonably easily by yourself but its still nicer with a friend.

you pull the lockstrip out from the middle of the gasket and then spray glass cleaner all over it to lubricate it and push from the inside distributing pressure as much as possible. once you get a corner the rest is pretty easy, just dont pry on it from the outside as its easy to break it. going back in is roughly the same, except the lockstrip is easier and faster with the right tool.

here's a couple e30 writeups: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=70622 http://e30world.com/body/BMW-E30-windshield-replacement

Editted for GRM. You can imagine what it says though.

What BMW are we talking about? If it's an e28, I have recent experience as mine was replaced this summer when it was in the restoration shop. The glass is held in with a gasket and is not bonded to the body like newer cars, so you should be able to cut out the old gasket with a utility knife to remove it.

However, they can be a bear to install, at least with a new gasket; the resto shop called in a glass guy to put the new windshield in my car and he really had to struggle with it. If it were me I'd hire a pro to do the install.

If you decide to go with new glass, all reports are that the aftermarket glass you get from local glass companies doesn't fit very well and is prone to leaking. You can still get a new OEM windshield from BMW, which is what I did. There are several part numbers for e28 glass, and as I recall the part numbers for US model cars are on (possibly permanent) backorder. However, I did some digging around and the part number for a euro M5 is still in the system, and for some reason BMW NA had some of those in stock - it came in next day from their Chicago distribution center. It's the same part as far as I can tell, so maybe they just consolidated part numbers at some point. I have the part number written down somewhere if you need it, but they aren't cheap.

Thanks for the tips.

I'm going to shop around for a cheaper source, first. If that fails, removing the old screen sounds totally do-able.

Drewsifer, sound advice .