I am having a terrible time getting the old lid off. i followed the hatch 101 article and got everything removed, but the lid wont budge. I am afraid of breaking this glass. anyone have any tricks?

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/t...tchalign.shtml
Try this thread. Good Luck.

 

Yes sir. I followed that exact article. I am having trouble loosening the glue betweent he metal and the glass. im afraid to break the hatch glass!

 

use a hair drier to warm up the glue put some wood wedges about 6 inches apart (shims from lowes) push them in one at a time . more heat more push, let it sit 10 min ,more heat , more push, if the shims bottom out cut the ends off so their thicker on the ends . just work it slow with heat (no torch) and shims . you can also pry a little with a stiff putty knife as you push the shims in safety glass is more durable than you mite think. unless its hit or even tapped on the edge.

 

I just went through this with two hatches. I used a piece of braided wire, made for removing windshields. Poke it through the sealant and start sawing back and forth. When you hit one of the studs...pull out and move it over. Don't be a moron like I was and install the lid too far back on the glass though. That's what I get for putting it together off of the car, I guess.

 

The catch "can" be if someone has replaced the glass in the past. I have seen them with only DAP like material and I have seen them with almost 100% windshield adhesive (urethane).

My guess is the DAP like material is factory and the urethane was a glass replacement. They are easy to remove with the DAP like material and almost impossible with urethane unless you use a windshield wire.

 

can i install the new lid with out taking the struts off?

 

no.

 

The rear glass is really tough. I had an old hatch that I could not give away (glass & decklid). The kids ended up using it as a ramp for their ATV. They put a couple of 2X4's under the top where the hinges would be. It never did break.

 

I've had some that wouldn't break no matter what you threw at them. Others shattered instantly when moving them around the shed. All depends how and where they are hit.

 

Here's the directions!!!!!!!!