I posted this in the body forum, but I'm not sure if anyone will see it there.. please reply here:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...threadid=76835

 

damn good chance you'll break it, lot of people do. they make a "saw" to work around the seal to seperate it, but it tends to reseal. all it is is a piece of music wire on a handle. look around parts stores for one, not auto zone. helps to if you have someone inside pushing with their feet on the glass. go slow and easy so you don't break the glass.

 

There is also a 'T' handled tool that incorporates a cutter guided by one hand, and a handle with a short cable that is used to pull the cutter with the other hand. It can make pretty short work of a windshield seal (other than the splined seals on trucks). You may be able to borrow or rent one from an auto glass installer.

 

When I took mineout I used a wire to seperate it from the car by cuttion the sealant, but if it is not already broken you run the risk of reattacing it a making a crack. If you can use a solvent to liquify the glue, or use flour or sand to make it unsticky. The glue is a real bugger; definately a 2-3 person job.

 

Hey, a topic near-and-dear to my heart.. windshield removal! Here's my advice: First of all, the warmer the day the better. That adhesive is hard as rock when its cold, yet soft and mushy when its warm. Its easier to cut when its mushy. BUT.. it tends to re-seal itself after you've cut through it, especially when its soft to begin with. So what you need to do is stick something between the cut layers of glue.. Paint sticks work well, maybe paper, who knows.. its up to you.

You can buy a tool to do the cutting, but in my experience they aren't all they're cracked up to be. The "Autozone" type stores carry a knife-type thing that won't work worth a damn! the heated ones are a little better, but they still aren't all that great.

I've had the best luck with steel cables, like hood release or throttle cables. You start by cutting some of the glue away with a razor knife, and once you're able to feed the wire through you're in business. Grab it on both ends with a visegrip, and go to work. (Takes 2 people, obviously) Once the friction heats up the wire, it'll cut pretty fast. The idea is to keep it moving, so that it stays hot and burns away the adhesive. Take your time and have somebody follow along to wedge the bits of paint stick in the gap.

Whatever you do, remember that glass is VERY, VERY weak along the edges. DO NOT(!!!) pry the glass out or you will DEFINITELY break it!