Back Window Glass: Service and Repair

Rear Window Replacement

NOTE:
- Put on gloves to protect your hands.
- Use seat covers to avoid damaging any surface.

1. Remove these items:
- Rear seat assembly
- C-pillar trim, both sides
- Rear seat belt lower anchor, both sides
- Rear seat side trim, both sides
- Subwoofer, for some models
- Rear panel insulator
- Rear window middle glass regulator

2. Pull down the rear portion of the headliner as needed.




3. From inside the vehicle, use a utility knife (A) to cut through the adhesive (B) all the way around:
- If the rear window (C) will be reinstalled, take care not to damage the molding (D).
- Apply protective tape along the edge of the entire rear window opening flange.

4. Carefully remove the rear window. Check the molding for damage, and replace the rear window if necessary.
5. With a putty knife, scrape the old adhesive smooth to a thickness of about 2 mm (0.08 in.) on the bonding surface around the entire rear window opening flange:
- Do not scrape down to the painted surface of the body; damaged paint will interfere with proper bonding.
- Remove the fasteners from the body.

6. Clean the body bonding surface with a sponge dampened in isopropyl alcohol. After cleaning, keep oil, grease and water from getting on the surface.
7. If the old rear window will be reinstalled, use a putty knife to scrape off all of the old adhesive and the fasteners from the rear window molding. Clean the inside face and the edge of the rear window molding with isopropyl alcohol where new adhesive will be applied. Make sure the bonding surface is kept free of water, oil and grease.




8. Attach the fasteners (A) with adhesive tape to the rear window molding (B) as shown:
- Be sure the fasteners line up with the alignment marks (C) and molding shapes (D).
- Be careful not to touch.the rear window molding where adhesive will be applied.




9. Attach the fasteners (A) with adhesive tape to the rear window opening flange (B) of the body on both sides.




1O. Set the rear window in the opening, and center it. Make alignment marks (A) across the rear window and body with a grease pencil at the four points shown. Make sure insent nuts (B) are aligned in the body holes (inside). Be careful not to touch the rear window molding where adhesive will be applied.
11. Remove the rear window.




12. With a sponge, apply a light coat of glass primer along the edge of the rear window molding (A) as shown, then lightly wipe it off with gauze or cheesecloth:
- Do not apply body primer to the rear window, and do not get body and glass primer sponges mixed up.
- Never touch the primed surfaces with your hands. If you do, the adhesive may not bond to the rear window properly, causing a leak after the rear window is installed.
- Keep water, dust, and abrasive materials away from the primed surfaces.




13. With a sponge, carefully apply a light coat of body primer to any exposed paint around the flange where new adhesive will be applied. Let the primer dry for at least 10 minutes
- Do NOT apply body primer to any remaining original adhesive on the flange.
- Be careful not to mix up the body and glass primer sponges.
- Never touch the primed surfaces with your hands.




14. Cut a "V" in the end of the nozzle (A) on the adhesive cartridge as shown.




15. Put the cartridge in a caulking gun, and run a bead of adhesive (A) around the edge of the rear window molding (B) as shown. Apply the adhesive within 30 minutes after applying the glass primer. Make a slightly thicker bead at each corner.
16. Use suction cups to hold the rear window over the opening, align it with the alignment marks you made in step 10, and set it down on the adhesive. Lightly push on the rear window until its edges are fully seated on the adhesive all the way around. Do not open or close the doors until the adhesive has dried for 1 hour.
17. Scrape or wipe any excess adhesive off with a putty knife or towel. To remove adhesive from a painted surface or the rear window, use a soft shop towel dampened with isopropyl alcohol.
18. Let the adhesive dry for at least 1 hour, then spray water over the rear window and check for leaks. Mark any leaking areas, let the rear window dry, then seal with sealant. Let the vehicle stand for at least 4 hours after rear window installation. If the vehicle has to be used within the first 4 hours, it must be driven slowly.
19. Reinstall all remaining removed parts.

NOTE: Advise the customer not to do the following things for 2 to 3 days:
- Slam the doors with all the windows rolled up.
- Twist the body excessively (such as when going in and out of driveways at an angle or driving over rough, uneven roads).