Window Installation

To correctly paint your vehicle, the window glass should be removed. Unfortunately removal can sometimes be a lot easier than reinstallation. Here's a quick overview of the glass installation procedure, but the final adjustments against the weatherstripping, etc. will be a trial-and-error procedure on your part.


No two pieces of glass will adjust exactly the same, so be prepared for a little frustration. The photo above shows the two main internal door components. On the left is one-of-two vertical channels (one at the front and one at the rear of the door) and the scissors-style, crank-up horizontal glass channel. The glass is equipped with rollers that fit into the various channels to secure and guide it into position.

Install Steps
In the top edge of the door there are two openings, which allow you to drop the rollers attached to the glass into the door. The front roller should be installed first and then the rear roller dropped inside the door skin. It's a good idea to lubricate the vertical channels and the rollers prior to installing them into the channels. Once everything is already in place, lubrication can be difficult. Use care when inserting the piece of glass to avoid scratching it on the metal edges of the door. If you are inexperienced in this procedure, apply masking tape along both edges of the door skin.


Use a small brush to apply a grease lubricant into the tracks. Here the horizontal crank-up scissors tracks are treated to a good dose of lubricant. At this time, it's advisable to also lubricate the scissors-flex mechanism, as well as the window-crank mechanism, with a spray-on lubricant to get inside the working parts. Any area that will cause friction or require swivel movement should be thoroughly lubricated to avoid binding or squeaking after the glass is installed. A quality white grease or wheel-bearing grease will do the job nicely. The grease is inexpensive, so use plenty to get the job done properly!


Here we see the front roller being inserted into the door through the front access opening. Once this roller is inside, the glass can be moved forward and the rear roller can be dropped in through the rear opening. It must be done in this order since there is not enough room at the rear of the door to move the glass back far enough to insert the front roller (fairly obvious if you try to install it rear-first). Again, use care not to scratch the glass on the sharp edges of the stamped metal door skin.