I am reinstalling back hatch window with new seal. I put the seal around the glass first then tried to put in window frame. Wont fit. Has anyone done this before. Should I be installing the seal to the hatch then prying in the glass. What is the proper procedure?

Thanks

Mark

I haven't done a hatch window... yet, but it seems that you should be able to do it the same as the windshield which I have done.

First, put the seal on the window and then lay the window on the hatch. You might be able to do it by yourself if you turn the hatch upside down, but it might be easier with one extra set of hands.

Get some line for a weed eater and wrap it around the seal about 3 or 4 times in the groove that fits into the hatch. Spray the groove and the line with some silicone lube, or perhaps some kidn of light grease to lube the line. Then with the hatch upside down lay the hatch on top of the window and using the line (might want to wrap the end around a screwdriver so something so it doesn't cut into your hand) pull it gently and steadily to pull the inner lip of the seal inside the flange on the hatch. This is where you might need an extra pair of hands as sometimes you need to push against the glass so the lip of the seal will pull inside the flange. Just keep pulling on the line until the seal has been pulled over the lip of the flange and you should be done. Pull all the line out and that's it. Sometimes if you are lucky it will pull the seal lip over the flange on the first time around the window, sometimes you might have to go one or more times around to get all of it set.

Hope you can understand my directions.. I looked for an old post of mine when Kmack was putting his windshield in and couldn't find it......:stupid:

Mark,

As 2Many stated, the seal goes on the glass first, then is fitted to the hatch.

I've refitted the rear glass on my '72 and am in the process of doing same on my '83. I install them with the hatch already installed in the car. Once you have the seal properly installed around the glass, run a thick strong cord in the groove (the one that fits in the hatch) starting at the top, and tie it at the bottom in the middle so that the ends hang down about 2 ft.

Apply a generous amount of silicone to the seal to help it slide home. Some manuals suggest using soapy water, but I've found that it dries too quickly and you risk trapping water under the seal, which leads to rusty hatches (been there, done that :dead:).

With the hatch closed. position the glass on the bottom lip of the hatch. You should easily be able to completely fit the bottom part of the seal into the hatch (make sure that the cord is not sticking out anywhere, except for the ends). There, you're a quarter of the way home. Have a buddy stand at the back of the Z to gently but firmly push down on the glass as you (from the inside) pull one of the cords perpendicularly. Just make sure the you and your buddy are moving in the same direction. As you pull on the cord you will pull the seal out and over the hatch lip. Work you way up one side and around the top corner and stop. Now you're half way home :classic:.

Now start at the bottom again, pulling the other end of the cord up the other side. Once you get to the top then start pulling on both ends towards the middle (If you just continue to pull from one side you risk having the cord slide out instead of pulling the seal out). And voila, you done .

The secret is to have a buddy pushing against the glass. That way the only way the cord can come free is by pulling the seal over the lip of the hatch.

Good luck

Peter

Peter,

Thanks for the advise. I will give it a try when my brother comes over to help me.

Peter has it right, I use soapy water but I live in AZ so I doubt I have to worry about rust. Also remember to install the stainless steel trim in the rubber before installing it in the car and after installing it on the glass.

280zone,

Why would you install trim before installing into window? Wouldnt it be easier to install once the window is in place?

Mark

Hi Mark:

I have no personal experience in this, but everyone that I've spoken to who has installed windows, tells me that the only way to successfully install the stainless steel trim is in the seal, BEFORE installing the window in the car. They say that there isn't enough flexibility in the seal once it is in the car to permit installation of the trim.

Good Luck

Carl

You are probably right. I guess I know what I am doing tonight.

If you get a chance, take some pics. I'm going to have to do the same thing with my back window shortly. Not really looking forward to the whole ordeal. Thanks.