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#1
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How difficult a DIY project is removing rear windshield on w124?
I've got a bit of rust that's been lurking on the side of the rear windshield on my 300D for several years. Since I'm in the midst of a massive rust repair project I was considering trying to get to that too. I already have the hat shelf and C pillar trim out because I'm re-dying the shelf so I was thinking it might be the best time to remove the glass. However, looking at the FSM, it looks like it's a pretty complex job. So I'm debating whether to pile it on to the other complex jobs I'm doing now.
Anyone done this as a DIY and have advice on whether I should do it, or try to have a professional take it out? The glass is fine, by the way, just want to access the rust.
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1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles 1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles 2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles 1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles 1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car) |
#2
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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver 1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone 1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy! 1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits! |
#3
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If it's held in with a rubber gasket it's pretty simple to remove. Simply get a supply of good blades for your utility knife (I like Stanley brand) and cut the rubber until the glass comes out. The old rubber will be dry and pretty inflexible so you'll have a heck of a time trying to pull the glass out of the rubber like you would on a newer car (I've gotten inside and simply pushed glass out with my back but that's not likely here). Of course, you'll need to replace the rubber but it's almost certainly time anyhow and in fact that may well be one source of your water leak in the first place. There may be a metal trim piece that's held in with the rubber - be sure to save that so it can go in the new rubber.
If it's bonded in - THAT"S a stinker. I only pull bonded glass if it's cracked anyhow so there's nothing to lose. Otherwise I have the pros tackle it. They can usually save the glass. I always have pros reinstall the glass. I know the drill but they have tools and sealers that I just don't have and besides, it it leaks you can take it back and make them fix it. It usually doesn't cost too much. Just an FYI - the rear glass is not called a "windshield" - that's the front glass. The correct term is "backlight" though "back glass" is often used or simply "back window". No big deal but I thought I ought to let you know. Dan |
#4
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Remember to remove the sail panels on both sides in order to disconnect the rear window defroster wires.
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#5
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I diy'ed (roped in the rear glass) on my 85 W123 300D because it is NLA and did not want to chance letting a shop F it up like they did on my 83 300D windshield. It was easy, came out perfect with no leaks.
I know nothing about W124 glass so google is your friend. Per this training video from Mercedes, the windshield is bonded https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcJTtMBqoqY . I'd guess the rear glass is also bonded. After seeing the video, I'd suggest paying an experienced shop to do it. Look for a shop with a mechanic who has been working there for 15 years or more, longer the better. That rules out most Safelite and other chains. Edit: First sentence in video says both windshield and rear window are bonded.
__________________
85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now 83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD! 83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked |
#6
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__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles 1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles 2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles 1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles 1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car) |
#7
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That w124 bonded rear window is a pain to remove but it's doable. You'll need the windshield cutting tool. Basically a razor blade knife with an extra long handle for leverage. If can't find one, then don't do it. Too much hassle.
Your local glass company should be able to just remove the glass for you. They are always looking to make a buck. Then they should be happy to reinstall it when the time comes. .
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1983 123.133 California - GreaseCar Veg System |
#8
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The reason it's so hard to get these out - they're held in with a REALLY tough adhesive (no, it's not RTV like bathtub caulk) that was especially invented for this. I'm not sure if they were the first but Morton Thiacol (sp?) was early in this game and the adhesive is often called "Thiacol". Remember, the glass is expected to stay in place even in the even of an accident. They went to this because the glass stays in place better and is much less likely to leak though of course everything ages. Anyhow, the only way to get these out is to cut ALL THE WAY THRU the adhesive which is not as easy as it sounds. The pros have an assortment of tricks and tools to get this done including a heated knife that is often pretty helpful. I've bought some of the tools but still had mixed results and I decided that it was cheaper to have the pros do it if the glass was worth saving. EDIT: The best paint durability requires that the windshield and back glass are out anyway. It's the only way to clean and get paint into the window channels which will protect those areas against rust. If you pull the trim and try to paint up to the glass the rust WILL come back. So you're doing the right thing! Dan |
#9
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I do recognize the name Morton Thiokol from reading about the space shuttle Challenger ... they designed the rocket boosters and were at the center of the fallout after what happened. Did not know they also did the window glass adhesive. I'm assuming that's the same company though. Thanks very much for the info, everyone. Definitely helped make my decision.
__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles 1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles 2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles 1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles 1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car) |
#10
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Searched eBarf (windshield removal tool) and found a few options. My neighbor across the street does glass. We replaced the windshield in my 4Runner earlier this year and he used a tool like this to cut the old seal:
BLUE POINT TOOLS YA 109 - A WINDSHIELD REMOVAL KNIFE & PULL HANDLE | eBay
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- Greg - 1973 220D, The Prodigal Benz 1974 240D |
#11
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Blue Point is good stuff and that's probably a good price. The one I bought was an off-brand and it just didn't work very well - I'd expect this to be better.
Dan |
#12
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Beware when cutting the urethane that you do not pry and bend the edge of the glass which is the weakest. The front windshield is laminated, which will crack if you pry too hard but it will stay as one piece. The rest of the glass on a car is tempered glass, which breaks by shattering in a million pieces. Using the pull knife like the Blue Point linked to looks easy if you watch videos of pros using it. But it requires skill in order not to break the glass. Even with a pro, he cannot guaranty that the glass will not break on removal or install, since the glass could have been weakened from age or stone chips, or it may not have been properly tempered when it was made. I don't know how difficult it would be to find a pro who will pull the glass and then come back later to install it. Two trips instead on one, more time = higher cost. Let us know how you make out and take lot's of pics.
__________________
85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now 83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD! 83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked |
#13
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Funny that this came up ,2 days ago I had a frt windsheild put in and was told by the installer that they fff-d up the trim .It took me awhile to cool down because it was expressed they knew what they were doing after I went over the age of the car and how important the trim was to the install (critical).I checked with the dealership on the 3 chrome pieces ,$210 each x3 $630 for just those chrome stripes that are the structured pieces between the glass the seal and the windshield .If your cutting out the seal youll want to cut on the outside of the chrome ,their is a lip inside the seal at this location which grabs the seal .This will allow for you to peal back the part youve cut away from the seal and out of the way.You then can gentle tap outthe chrome with a small handled flat edged tool much like a trowel ,take your time to not bend the piece. Good luck.A heat gun will also help
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#14
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__________________
85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now 83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD! 83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked |
#15
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It'll be a while before I get to this (probably will try to finish rocker panel and floorboard repair first) but I will update when I do. I had started a thread on all the repairs I'm doing but kind of got lazy with updates ... or rather just overwhelmed with the work itself. But at some point when it's all done, I will upload a ton of photos because they might be helpful to others who want to do rust repairs.
__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles 1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles 2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles 1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles 1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car) |
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