I am building a track car, e46 and I am going to replace the glass with lexan, should I just pay a service to come out and remove the front and rear glass???
I am building a track car, e46 and I am going to replace the glass with lexan, should I just pay a service to come out and remove the front and rear glass???
I would. Its a bitch of a job.
To get it out you need a long spatula that goes in your sawzall to work from the inside and break all the black gook/glue that holds it in.
I paid a guy $100 to come out from Safelite and put the new one in last time. This time, after watching him, I'm going to try it myself. I crack about 1 per season racing and my class rules do not allow for Lexan. So... it's getting old paying for installs.
Be careful with the reciprocating saw method, I've seen many many cars buggered up from someone using those. I have one in the truck but only use it when I absolutely need to.
I use these everyday for 95% of the jobs I do.
http://www.handsontools.com/SG-Tool-Aid-87900-Windshield-Removing-Tool-Cold-Knife_p_3993.html
Unless someone berkeleyed up an install on a BMW, this should be easy. They have different blade lengths for them. I have 2, one loaded with 3/4 inch and another with 1 and 1/2 inch blades. Run the shorter one then if that doesn't separate it then run the longer one.
Just be careful. It takes some practice to get the right leverage on it, wear thick gloves doing it whichever way to go.
Last glass replacement I had the guy used one of these.
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/oscillating-tools/12-volt-lithium-ion-variable-speed-oscillating-multifunction-power-tool-68012.html
The cutting tool used on the end was a custom made dulled down 2 inch blade. Teeth are not needed so much as the thin blade. Worked very well was swift and didn't damage the car metal as the teeth were ground off.
Shotgun
Sit in the seat, place feet against windshield. Push.
It can be done with one of those long (break off style) box cutter knifes many time. Be careful of course.
Using the HF (or otherwise) tool is likely a better bet though.
I used a cold knife to remove my windshield.
Then I paid a guy $40 to do the back hatch while he was at my place replacing the windshield in my truck. Miserable job.
i am going to try the "Auto Glass Tri Wire Starter Kit" saw a video, looks pretty easy (lol) i called a service and they want 150 just to remove them and they pretty much guarantee the front windsheild will break.....i can break it myself, anyway i am putting Lexan back in it. thanks for the replys
Yeah, laminated glass like the front w/s will crack 95% of the time. Tempered glass like the rear and side windows usually can be removed without breaking them.
not sure i could sell the glass anyway
I removed the windshield from my first E21. It is the old rubber gasket kind, easier to work with than the glued un windshield.
Got it out in one whole piece set it down and promptly tripped and fell on it as I was trying to walk away and broke it in many pieces.
Don't do that.
iceracer wrote: Sit in the seat, place feet against windshield. Push.
this works surprisingly well..
lance said: Yeah, laminated glass like the front w/s will crack 95% of the time. Tempered glass like the rear and side windows usually can be removed without breaking them.
so i bought the tee handles with the wire and got the rear out without much problem, went to the front and stuck in the wire inserter just probing a little to see how hard it would be and heard a very faint "Tick" and you know the rest.......
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