Replacment of window broken by scumbags - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

nrl073 · #1 08-09-2007, 10:10 AM

Last night some thugs decided to break into my 300D that was parked in my driveway.

They stole my briefcase with about $50 in it, but decided to leave the Glock handgun in the front console which was nice of them.

Anyway, I need to replace the driver's side rear window. Not the quarter panel, the other door glass.

Can I do this myself easily or should I call someone? Do I have to go to the dealership to buy the glass? If its best left to the pros, any suggestions on who to call?

Thanks for any help.

Richard Eldridge · #2 08-09-2007, 11:01 AM

The cheapest way to get this fixed is if you have insurance. Call your insurance company and see if your comprehensive fire & theft insurance covers this. If it does, you will need to report this to the police probably.

If you don't have insurance, the next cheapest way is to get the window at a U-Pick junkyard. I recently got the right rear window for my 300D for $20. Some numbskull knucklewalking dolt shot out my window with a pellet gun.

To remove it, remove the door panel, then remove the rubber window molding that runs around the sides and top of the window. Do not damage this. Then remove the inside door panel, carefully.

Then unscrew the rear part of the frame at the bottom and under where the molding was, at the top.

Unbolt the window at the bottom. The metal carrier piece goes with the glass
Then the window can be removed. Replace it the way that it came out.

When you remove your old window, wear gloves.

It might be wise to stick package tape on one or both sides of your old window to get it out more safely and easily. You could also put tape on the window. This can easily be peeled off after installation, and will protect both you are the window.

There will be no difference in quality between a window found in a junkyard and one from the dealership. The price will be lower. The dealer's window might need the bottom metal piece to be removed from the old window and reinstalled on the new one: more work, more money. Just clean off your junkyard window and make sure it it perfect before you pay for it. If there is no U-pick junkyard, check the yellow pages in your area.

I would not pay more than $40 US, and would call every junkyard to get the best price.

If you are a true masochist, take it to the stealership, and bend over in an inviting way.

Good luck.

nrl073 · #3 08-09-2007, 11:50 AM

Thanks for the response Richard. My insurance deductible is $1000 so I am paying out of pocket.

I will try your suggestion of the junkyard. It sounds like the cheapest alternative and sounds like a pretty easy fix.

Failing that, I will try to buy the glass from the dealer and replace it myself.

I appreciate your advice.

Hatterasguy · #4 08-09-2007, 01:21 PM

Window breakage is usualy different from everything else, and there is no deductable. Call your insurance agent you may be covered.

nrl073 · #5 08-09-2007, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Window breakage is usualy different from everything else, and there is no deductable. Call your insurance agent you may be covered.

I only have liability insurance on my 300D. The $1000 deductible I was referring to is on my homeowners policy. I will call them all the same just to be sure.

I got a price of $91 from the dealership for the glass, which is not too bad if I cant find a junkyard and/or insurance doesnt cover it.

truckinik · #6 08-09-2007, 05:06 PM

It's really easy to install yourself. You have to take off the door panel, and clean out the old glass from the track, etc. It's pretty straight foreward though. You can open yours up, and look at it, and establish what tools you'll need, and get an idea of what you're dealing with. Then, just go to a "Pick n Pull", grab one, and pop it in. It's really a cinch to swap that one out. I wouldn't even bother to call anyone.

mobetta · #7 08-09-2007, 09:18 PM

Just make sure all the old broken glass is cleaned out of the track-

I had a buddy who's window was broken when rolled all the way up- there was a few bits of glass in the top weather strip. when he got done w/ installing the new used glass, he rolled it up and it shattered from contact w/ the old broken bits.

so save yourself doing it twice-use a flathead screwdriver or sumthen...

pawoSD · #8 08-09-2007, 09:38 PM

I had my front passenger window replaced in my driveway 3.5 years ago for $128 installed. That included everything, and they came to me! Pretty awesome. Took about an hour, and, they happened to have a W126 passenger front window in their GR warehouse, so they did it same-day!

Hatterasguy · #9 08-09-2007, 11:58 PM

$91 isn't bad. But its a good thing they didn't steal your Glock!

nrl073 · #10 08-16-2007, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Eldridge

To remove it, remove the door panel, then remove the rubber window molding that runs around the sides and top of the window. Do not damage this. Then remove the inside door panel, carefully.

Then unscrew the rear part of the frame at the bottom and under where the molding was, at the top.

Unbolt the window at the bottom. The metal carrier piece goes with the glass
Then the window can be removed. Replace it the way that it came out.

Richard,

I bought the glass from the dealer and am in the process of installation. I have followed your directions, but am seeking clarification - you mention the door panel, as well as the inner door panel. I have looked at it for the past 30 minutes and I think I am missing something.

I have the door panel off (the thing with the ash tray), and the rubber molding removed. I see the screw and the bolt you are talking about, but no inner panel. I am confused

help!

Thanks for any further assistance you can provide.

Nigel

Dana B. · #11 08-16-2007, 07:41 PM

I feel your pain, pard. Same thing happened to me last week. Heard a muffled horn car alarm at 2:30 a.m. and sluffed it off and went back to sleep. Turned out to be my MB.

The thief shattered the triangular right rear passenger window ... to filch a bottom-of-the-barrel cell phone.

Was told by a local glass man that aftermarket windows were unavailable and that an OEM replacement -- unobtainable in Los Angeles on the day of the caper -- would cost $300.

I ended up buying a junk yard window for $175 and paid $125 for a same-day installation. Now my goofy OEM alarm stickers no longer match

.

Richard Eldridge · #12 08-16-2007, 10:28 PM

By "inside door panel" I meant the thin plastic liner that is stuck to the door inside the outside MB Tex trim panel (the piece with the electric window control and ashtray stuck to it).

You can just tape this out of the way so it won't bother you while you work.

I usually put duck tape on the edges of the metal access holes to avoid getting my hands cut.

All you need to do is remove the old window (which might be in pieces: mine had window tint film on it, so it's still in one piece), including the metal piece that holds the window to the regulator (that's the thing that causes the window to go up and down that is driven by the window motor).

You need to remove the triangular window behind the main rear window in order to have room to furgle the window pane into position and bolt it down.

While you are in the door, rub some nice Lithium grease on the toothed window tracks as well as on the door check strap and anything else that looks like it was greased at the factory.

The plastic film keeps water away from the door panels, thus saving them from humidity and mold, so restore it with something pliable like window caulk, that will be easily peeled off if you need to repair anything inside (door check strap, window switch, window panes, window motor) again.

Good luck. Sorry if I confused you.

nrl073 · #13 08-22-2007, 08:34 PM

Well, after receiving the passenger side window from the dealership instead of the drivers side, and waiting for them to reorder it, I finally got the window changed out.

For anyone else who has to do this, I managed to change the roll-up window without removing the quarter window. You simply remove the rear track (1 screw at the top and 1 bolt in the door panel), drop the new window into the door panel, and then slide the track back up into position. Make sure the window is rolled all the way down. Then just line up the glass into the track and up she goes.

It was pretty easy in the end.

Thanks Richard and everyone else for your help.

Nigel