Liftgate Window Glass: Service and Repair
Rear Window
Refer to the Safety Precautions for description of tools and adhesive systems that are recommended for use in this procedure.
Rear Window Removal - Exterior Method
1. Remove rear window wiper arm, if equipped.
2. Remove screws attaching molding to liftgate at the sides of the rear window.
3. Using pliers, pull outward on molding at the top and bottom of liftgate.
4. Using a sharp cold knife, cut urethane adhesive attaching the rear window to the liftgate. A power cutting device can be used if available.
5. Remove rear window from vehicle.
Rear Window Removal - Interior Method
1. Remove rear window wiper arm, if equipped.
2. Remove screws attaching moldings to liftgate at the sides of the rear window.
3. Remove liftgate inside lamps and trim covers.
4. Remove center high mounted stop lamp.
5. Using a reciprocating or oscillating power knife, cut urethane adhesive holding the rear window to the liftgate. Refer to instructions provided with the equipment being used.
6. Remove rear window from vehicle.
Rear Window Installation
Caution: Open the left front door glass before installing rear window to avoid pressurizing the passenger compartment. If a door is slammed before urethane bonding is cured, water leaks can result.
Allow the urethane at least 24 hours to cure before returning the vehicle to use.
To avoid stressing the replacement rear window, the urethane bonding material on the rear window fence should be smooth and consistent to the sharp of the replacement glass.
1. Place replacement glass into rear window opening.
2. Verify the glass lays evenly against the pinch weld fence at the sides, top and bottom of the replacement rear window. If not, the fence must be formed to the shape of the new glass.
3. Using a grease pencil, mark the glass and liftgate in several locations to aid installation.
4. Remove replacement glass from liftgate opening.
5. Position the rear window inside up on a suitable work surface with two padded, wood 10 cm by 10 cm by 50 cm (4 in. by 4 in. 20 in.) blocks, placed parallel 75 cm (2.5 ft.) apart.
Warning: Do not use solvent based glass cleaner to clean rear window before applying glass prep and primer. poor adhesion can result.
6. Clean inside of rear window with ammonia based glass cleaner and lint-free cloth.
7. Apply molding to top and bottom of rear window.
8. Apply glass prep adhesion promoter 25 mm (1 in.) wide around perimeter of rear window and wipe with clean/dry lint-free cloth until no streaks are visible.
9. Apply Glass Primer 25 mm (1in.) wide around perimeter of rear window. Allow at least three minutes drying time.
10. Apply Pinch weld Primer 19 mm (0.75 in.) wide around the rear window fence. Allow at least three minutes drying time.
11. If a low viscosity urethane adhesive is used, install compression spacers on the fence around the rear window opening Lower.
12. Apply a 10 mm (0.4 in.) bead of urethane along center line of rear window fence.
13. With the aid of a helper, position the rear window over the rear window opening and align the reference marks.
14. Slowly lower the glass to rear window opening fence. Guide the molding into proper position as necessary. Push glass inward until molding is flush to liftgate surface.
15. Clean excess urethane from exterior with Mopar� Super Kleen, or equivalent.
16. Apply 150 mm (6 in.) lengths of 50 mm (2 in.) masking tape spaced 250 mm (10 in.) apart to hold molding in place until urethane cures.
17. Install rear window side moldings and wiper arm.
18. Install interior trim.
19. After urethane has cured, remove tape strips and water test rear window to verify repair.