Back Window Glass: Service and Repair
Window Glass - Rear
NOTE: RH shown, LH similar.
Removal
All vehicles
1. If equipped, remove the rear window wiper motor assembly. For additional information, refer to Wipers and Washers Wiper Motor - Rear Window.
2. If equipped, remove the rear window wiper motor shaft grommet.
Vehicles equipped with rear window defrost
3. If equipped, remove the screws and the rear window glass shield.
4. Detach the grommet from the rear door panel.
5. Disconnect the rear window defrost electrical connectors.
All vehicles
6. Before cutting the urethane adhesive, remove dirt and other foreign material from the windshield pinchweld area.
- Use a clean shop towel or oil-free, compressed air.
7. NOTE: Refer to manufacturer's instructions before using the Deluxe Windshield Removal Tool.
Lubricate the urethane adhesive with water to aid the Deluxe Windshield Removal Tool when cutting.
8. WARNING: Always wear eye protection when servicing a vehicle. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
WARNING: Wear protective gloves when handling components or parts that have pointed or sharp edges. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
NOTICE: To avoid rust formation, use extreme care not to scratch the paint or primer or otherwise damage the pinchweld during glass removal.
NOTE: Insert the blade into the Deluxe Windshield Removal Tool so that the flat side is against the glass. This will leave the entire urethane adhesive bead on the pinchweld and allow a dry fit of the replacement rear door glass.
Insert the Deluxe Windshield Removal Tool at the upper center of the rear door glass and work toward the bottom corners.
9. Insert the Deluxe Windshield Removal Tool into the bottom of the urethane adhesive and cut from corner to corner.
10. Carefully remove the rear door glass from the vehicle and place on a stable work surface.
11. Remove and discard the rear door window glass weatherstrip.
Installation
All vehicles
1. Dry-fit the rear door glass on the existing urethane adhesive bead on the pinch weld.
- Position the rear door glass on the pinch weld.
- Center the glass in the opening.
- Make alignment marks with tape or non-staining grease pencil on the rear door glass and the body.
2. After the dry-fit alignment, remove the glass from the body opening and place on a stable work surface with the interior side of the glass facing upward.
3. WARNING: Repair any corrosion found on the pinch weld. The pinch weld is a structural component of the vehicle. Corrosion left unrepaired may reduce the structural integrity of the vehicle. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious injury to vehicle occupant(s).
NOTE: Avoid scratching the pinch weld. Repair all minor scratches or exposed metal on the pinch weld following manufacturer's instructions. Use the same brand pinch weld primer, glass primer and urethane adhesive.
Using an appropriate tool, trim the urethane adhesive leaving a 1-2 mm (0.04-0.08 in) base of original equipment urethane adhesive on the pinch weld.
4. Using a clean shop towel, brush or oil-free, compressed air, clean the pinch weld area around the existing urethane adhesive. Remove any foreign material or water that may have entered during glass removal.
5. If reinstalling the same rear door glass, remove the remaining urethane adhesive from the glass leaving a thin layer to bond with the new urethane adhesive bead.
6. Clean the inside of the rear door glass surface with glass cleaner.
- Make sure to thoroughly clean the surface of the blackened border area where the urethane adhesive will be applied.
7. NOTE: Be sure to use the same brand and cure-rate products for the urethane adhesive and glass primer. Do not mix different brands of urethane adhesive and glass primer. Refer to the Material Chart in this procedure.
If installing a new rear door glass, apply glass primer according to manufacturer's instructions. Allow at least 6 minutes to dry.
8. Install a new rear door window glass weatherstrip.
9. NOTE: Use either the Air Caulking Gun or a high-ratio, electric or battery-operated caulk gun that will apply the urethane adhesive with less effort and continuous bead.
NOTE: The rear door glass must be positioned within 10 minutes of applying the urethane adhesive.
Apply a uniform bead of urethane adhesive of between 8 mm (0.314 in) and 10 mm (0.393 in) in height on top of the existing trimmed urethane adhesive bead on the pinch weld, starting and ending at the bottom of the rear door glass opening near the center, making sure there are no gaps in the bead.
10. WARNING: Do not drive vehicle until the urethane adhesive seal has cured. Follow urethane adhesive manufacturer's curing directions. Inadequate or incorrect curing of the urethane adhesive seal will adversely affect glass retention. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious injury to vehicle occupant(s).
NOTICE: Before positioning the rear door glass, open vehicle windows to prevent the air pressure of closing doors from affecting the urethane adhesive bond.
Using the alignment marks made previously, position the rear door glass on the pinch weld.
11. Using suitable tape, secure the rear door window glass in the correct position until the urethane adhesive has cured.
12. NOTE: The urethane adhesive must cure for a minimum of one hour before testing for air or water leaks.
After the urethane adhesive has cured, check the rear door glass seal for air or water leaks through the urethane adhesive bead and add urethane adhesive as necessary.
Vehicles equipped with rear window defrost
13. Connect the rear window defrost electrical connectors.
14. Attach the grommet to the rear door panel.
15. If equipped, install the screws and the rear window glass shield.
All vehicles
16. If equipped, install the rear window wiper motor shaft grommet.
17. If equipped, install the rear window wiper motor assembly. For additional information, refer to Wipers and Washers Wiper Motor - Rear Window.