How to remove 1/4 windows?

[Kit Sullivan]

How are the 1/4 windows removed? I have heard that they are glued in, and the only way to get them out is to break them. This sounds ridiculous to me. There must be a way to R&R them.
I am painting the car soon, and all the trim, interior and glass is coming off, as well as the fenders, doors, hood and trunk lid. I'm doing a color change, and it sure helps it to look better when it all comes apart, you know?

[92 AZTC]

Do you mean the small 1/4 triangle windows on the rear doors? Or the 1/4 windows on the body frame?

[Dereck]

Hi Kit

I geuss you mean the 1/4 windows in the "C" pillar (also called opera windows?).

They are glued and screwed, remove the interior quarter trim, undo the 8 nuts securing the glass and push the window out, it may be stuck on the butyl seal.

To refit the window, remove all the old butyl seal, fit a new seal to the glass and reposition window into the "C" pillar, tighten the 8 securing nuts to 9-17 lb/in of torque (note: inches of torque), refit the interior trim.

Regards

Dereck

[LSCGODDESS98]

durrrrrrrrrrrrrr!lol
most cars takin out the 1/4 windows on lincolns and fords are easy to take out.
did that on our 89 mustang coupe,whatt breeze smile.gif

[Kit Sullivan]

I am referring to the windows in the 1/4 panels on the rear side of my mark VII, next to the rear seat passengers.

[Dereck]

Hi All

Sorry Kit but I had a monumental attack of senility in my previous post and gave out the info for a 90's Town Car.

The rear quarter windows on 88 Crown Vics/Grand Marquis are indeed glued in and require a hot knife or cheese wire to remove them, you do not need to break them to get them out, but if untrained in removal there would be a high chance of breakage.

I assume the rear quarter windows on an 88 LSC will be fitted in a simular manor

Once again many apologies for the bum steer.

Dereck

[Jon90LSC]

Kit, they do come out easily. Since you are gutting the car for painting, go ahead and take out the rear seat. Then remove the inner quarter trim. You will see some 3/8 quicknuts on the window, remove them. The quarter glass is sealed in with butyl tape. It will come right out if you apply steady pressure. It helps to have someone outside to catch the window. Butyl will also make a really stringy mess. Make a ball out of the sealant, and it will stick to itself. Makes cleanup really easy that way.

BTW, since you are doing all of this, now is a good time to go ahead and pull the front seats and console too. Get the carpet out and power wash it. You will be about half way there, and it makes a really big difference. I cleaned mine up a lot while it was apart.

[Kit Sullivan]

I plan on taking everything in the interior out, except the dash/steering wheel, and headliner.
Carpets, seats, door panels, console. door and 1/4 glass.
The hood , fenders and trunk lid will be off and painted seperately for the first 'skim' coat, to get complete coverage on the underside and around the edges.
All the exterior trim will be removed.

BTW, how hard is it to remove the door weatherstripping? And, is it still availiable new or repro?

[Jon90LSC]

IIRC, the weatherstripping on the front edge of the door is no longer available, and is usually very brittle due to age. It seems as though I was able to remove the rest of the weatherstrip as it applied to what I was doing; I redid my car is silver and did not jamb it. What color are you starting with, and what color are you going to paint it?

BTW, if you are going with a metallic color, cut in the backsides, and put the panels back on the car to ensure a proper color match. You need all of the metallics standing the same way to achieve a uniform color.