Ctech

well my window got smashed over the weekend nothing stoling but they did a number on my window i need to know if i can take the window out and how or do i need a prof to do it?? i got a spare window in my firebird so wanna change it but it looks very complacated the screws almost look like ribbits but i know there not if someone can let me know either if i can do it or a prof has to do it that would be great dont wanna leave my window broken and have animals go inside and hibernate for the winter in my car lmao

TomP

Yeah, you can do it yourself. Those -are- rivets holding the window on. They're special rivets, and Home Depot won't carry 'em. But you don't need to un-rivet the window glass from the window sash. (Sash = metal piece that's at the bottom of the window).

1. Undo the rivets holding the regulator to the door. You can cut them clean with a chisel (the rivets are aluminum), or, try drilling them out. (Careful, the rivets will usually start spinning when you drill, and nothing will get drilled through.) Four rivets hold the regulator to the door.

2. In the tight spot inside the door, work the regulator so the arms come out of the window sash, freeing the window.

3. Remove the black triangle "fill panel" at the front top of the door.

4. You can work the window, including the sash, out the front top of the door. It's a slight bitch because of the one roller on the window sash, but it'll work.

5. Do this all backwards to put the new window into your car.

6. Reattach the regulator to the door using new, SHORT and THICK, bolts and nuts and lockwashers. They sell little bolts that are just long enough to poke thru the hole so you can get a nut and lockwasher on 'em. The bolts are also thick so they take up the whole hole that the rivet used to fill.

There's plenty of guys like me on the body/interior forum that have done this, too... you could ask in there. And take the window out of the junkyard car FIRST so you don't screw up your car. Use the junkyard car to learn your car's door.

TomP

Oh and it might be cheaper to go to a professional if you bring them a junkyard window... just another thought if you don't want to take apart your door yourself.