How To Replace Windshields And Backlights

When you lay the window glass and gasket in place, you have to have a way to pop the lip inside for security. This is why we use a rope (lawn mower engine starter cord is perfect) inside the outer groove as shown. Position the ends at the bottom, where they're easily accessed and pulled.

The windshield/gasket assembly is squarely positioned and gently pressed against the frame. Again, we can't stress enough that the surfaces must be clean and primed with windshield sealer primer for good adhesion and sealing.

Press the windshield/gasket assembly into place. While pushing on the glass, the rope is pulled both ways to pop the gasket lip inside. It's a good idea to use a lubricant (soapy water) in the outer groove for a smooth transition. Make sure the lip is evenly popped for 360 degrees. No wrinkles in the gaskets are allowed because they cause leaks.

Run a bead of R-900 or 3M's Windo-Weld around the perimeter once the windshield has seated. Make sure you have wall-to-wall sealer from gasket to body. This is where windshields leak most--between the gasket and body. Fill this area in to eliminate the potential for leaks. When you install trim, you seal it up.

Kendall suggests a bead of R-900 or Windo-Weld between the glass and gasket to further eliminate leaks. Leaks can occur at trim clips, which is why you want sealer between the clips and the body--and at the base of the clip.

Backlight installation isn't much different from that of the windshield, and it's virtually impossible to get the gasket backward. Install the rear window gasket as shown, using soapy water as a lubricant. The wide part of the seal goes to the inside bottom at your package shelf (inside glass radius).

Windshield trim is installed next. Reproduction stainless trim is more challenging to install. Where possible, have original factory trim repaired and polished because it is much easier to install. Begin trim installation at the bottom, then side trim, and finally the two top pieces.

Sealer is applied at the outer perimeter corners where body contact is made. Fastbacks are notorious for rear window leaks. This is why you want to be generous with sealer between the gasket and body. Pile it on thick, then allow it to settle before applying a final bead and trim. Clean up with lacquer thinner or a petroleum-based professional glass cleaner.

The backlight is positioned with the bottom lip seated first.

The glass is pressed into place and spanked. With pressure applied, the rope is pulled to pop the inner lip. Once the window is seated, spanking continues to fully seat the gasket. As with the windshield, sealer is deeply applied to completely fill in that vulnerable area between the gasket and body. Install trim.