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Door Glass Replacement - DIY Pics! 56K Beware!

(I am hosting these pics so that I don't bog down EOC, so relax)

Ok, after ranting about the vandals that broke my driver's side window last night Vandals should be castrated I decided just to fix it myself today.

If this ever happens to anybody else (god forbid), here is how it can be done.

You will need;
1. vacuum with hose
2. phillips screwdriver
3. flat screwdriver
4. needle nose pliers
5. 10MM socket and ratchet
6. patience and a few hours free time
7. plenty of light

Most of these pictures are self explanitory (I think), but feel free to PM me if you need more information;

 

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Be careful with this clip... luckily mine didn't break and I was able to re-use it.

 

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WARNING! DO NOT remove this black panel! It is attached with 2 screws from the inside of the window track. Although quite tricky, the interior door panel can be removed without removing this black trim.

Peel carefully here so you can re-use the plastic and flexible adhesive. Also, you do not need to remove the vapor barrier entirely - just far enough to gain access to the window attachment bolts (and to clean out glass from your door)

 

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Top-down view of the glass attachment point;

You will need to (temporarliy) connect the window switch wiring so that you can lower the window until these bolts are accessible.

Be absolutely sure to clean up ALL of the broken glass from your seals before attempting to install the new glass. A screwdriver works fine as long as it is used carefully.

Here's another top-down pic. After cleaning up the seals and vacuuming up the majority of the glass that has fallen, be sure to clean up all the nooks and crannies. If you do not clean up ALL glass from the door, your Element will sound like it came from the junkyard (crash!) everytime you shut your door!

CAREFULLY (well duh) insert your new glass in this fashion, making sure you align it into the track properly. Then simply tilt it counterclockwise until it slides freely up and down by hand.

You will need to excercise EXTREME caution with this next step. Carefully thread (by hand) the bolts into the new windshield glass holders (using the old bolts). Tighten the bolts until they are snug and THEN BACK THEM OFF 1/2 turn. DO NOT perform the final tightening until you run the windows up and down a few times so that the glass can align itself! Once you are satisfied, tighten the bolts (I would guess they only need 10-20 FT Lbs. torque, but just so they are past snug.

 

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FYI - Here are the screws that hold the door handles on in case somebody is considering changing them (or reupholstering them?).

This part is kind of tricky, and will take some finesse to perform. I slid the panel in from right to left, paying special attention to be sure the bead of the panel overlapped the metal lip. Sorry for the poor resolution on this one.

Reinstall the door pull rod the same way you removed it. A pair of needlenose pliers DEFINATELY help here!

The rest of the assembly is basically the exact reverse of the dis-assembly you'll have performed up to this point.

This step is the most important of all - don't fail to do it!!

LEGO

 

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Thank you everyone for your kind words!

It really wasn't any trouble to take a bit of my time to share this information when I consider all the other great information I've received at EOC myself. That's what it's all about: share and share alike!

LEGO

 

[LEGO MY E]

Thanks yamone!

Oh, and thank you too metro for the tip!

Hopefully I won't ever have to do this again, but it's good to know that this piece can come off. It was QUITE the pain in the @ss to remove the door panel with it left on, I tell ya!

LEGO