Back Window Glass: Service and Repair

REAR WINDOW GLASS

Special Tool(s):

Special Tool(s)







Removal

WARNING: To prevent glass splinters from entering eyes or cutting hands, wear safety glasses and heavy gloves when cutting glass from the vehicle. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.

1. Remove the parcel shelf.
2. Remove the high-mounted stoplamp.
3. Disconnect the rear window glass electrical connectors.







4. NOTE: Lubricate the existing urethane adhesive with water to aid the special tool when cutting the urethane adhesive.

Using the special tool, cut the urethane adhesive from the rear window glass starting at the top center and working toward the bottom corners.







5. Using the special tool, distance the rear window glass from the body.







6. Using the special tool, cut the remaining urethane adhesive and remove the rear window glass.
7. Using a soft brush or vacuum, remove any foreign material or dirt from the pinch weld area.

Installation

CAUTION: When installing urethane-installed glass parts, the vehicle must not be driven until the urethane adhesive has cured. Adequate cure time is specified on the drive away chart for each urethane product as the temperature and humidity vary. Inadequate or incorrect curing can adversely affect the retention of the rear window glass.

NOTE: For additional material guidelines, refer to the manufacturer's installation information.

1. Dry fit the rear window glass. Make alignment marks with tape or non-staining grease pencil.
2. Remove the rear window glass.







3. NOTE: Avoid scratching the pinch weld. For minor scratches or exposed metal on the pinch weld, see the manufacturer's recommendations.

Using an appropriate tool, trim the urethane adhesive leaving a 1-2 mm (0.04-0.08 in.) base of original equipment urethane on the pinch weld.

4. If reinstalling the original rear window glass, remove the excess urethane adhesive from the rear window glass.
5. If a new rear window glass is to be installed, attach the new moulding to the edge of the glass starting at the top center, then working out, then down the pillars and around the corners.
6. Clean the rear window glass with a non-alcohol based window cleaner.

7. CAUTION: Be sure to use the same brand and cure-rate products for the adhesive and primer. Do not mix different brands of urethane and primer. Refer to the Material Chart.

NOTE: Sika uses the same black primer for the glass and pinch weld area.

If installing a new rear window glass, apply urethane glass primer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Allow at least 6 minutes to dry.







8. Cut the urethane adhesive applicator tip to specification.







9. NOTE: Use either a high-ratio, electric or battery-operated caulk gun that applies the urethane with less effort and continuous bead.

Apply urethane adhesive on top of the existing trimmed urethane adhesive bead on the pinch weld. Make sure that all gaps in the urethane adhesive are smoothed into one continuous bead starting and ending at the bottom of the rear window glass near the center.







10. Install the rear window glass aligning it to the marks made previously.

11. CAUTION: When installing urethane-installed glass parts, the vehicle must not be driven until the urethane adhesive has cured. Adequate cure time is specified on the drive away chart for each urethane product as the temperatures and humidity vary. Inadequate or incorrect curing can adversely affect the retention of the rear window glass.

NOTE: The urethane adhesive must cure for a minimum of 1 hour before testing for air or water leaks.

After the urethane cures, check the rear window glass seal for air or water leaks through the urethane adhesive bead and add urethane adhesive as necessary.

12. Connect the rear window glass electrical connectors.
13. Install the high mounted stoplamp.
14. Install the parcel shelf.