How to replace a side window

Our cars are our second homes most of the time, and as a result, we tend to leave some pretty important stuff in them. Unfortunately, this means that people can try to break into and steal these items. Back to my car...

Our cars are our second homes most of the time, and as a result, we tend to leave some pretty important stuff in them. Unfortunately, this means that people can try to break into and steal these items.

Coming back to your car, surrounded by broken windows, is not the most pleasant thing to do. Fortunately, replacing the glass yourself is not so difficult. Usually you only need to unscrew and pry a few pieces, and then you can remove the old glass and replace it.

Part 1 of 3: Removing the door panel

Necessary materials

• flat screwdriver
• New glass for the window, according to the specifications of your car
• crosshead screwdriver
• ratchet
• Safety glasses
• Power socket
• Thick work gloves.
• Torx screwdriver

• Cropping tools

• Attention: Trim tool kits are specially designed tools for removing the door panel. They are not always necessary, as a flat head screwdriver is usually enough to pry off all the tabs. If you need one, make sure you buy the correct type for your car model as they are not interchangeable.

• Attention: The size of the socket may vary depending on the manufacturer and model, but is usually around 9 or 10 mm. Your vehicle may also not use Torx head screws, so only Phillips and flat heads may be sufficient.

Step 1: Pry off all plastic panels.. Use a flathead screwdriver and pry off all the plastic panels.

As a rule, one is located in the upper corners of the door panel.

Step 2: Unscrew whatever is holding the panel.. After removing the plastic panels, you will find screws that need to be removed to remove the door panel.

Be sure to inspect the sides and bottom of the door for hard-to-reach screws. There may be small plastic covers on the screws that can be removed with a flat head.

Step 3: Unscrew the power window handle or switch. If you have manual windows, there should be one screw that holds the handle in place.

If you have power windows, unscrew the switch and disconnect the connector.

Step 4: Remove the door handle if necessary. After you unscrew the door handle, remove the plastic clip that holds the connection to the handle mechanism. This is not required for all models.

Step 5: Remove the door panel. Once all the screws are out and everything is out of the way, we can remove the door panel itself to get inside.

On most models, you should be able to simply pull up and away from the door and the panel will slide off.

• Attention: This is where a door panel removal tool kit comes in handy. Some models will have plastic tabs to hold the door panel in place and too much force can break them. If you're having trouble with a flat head, you should use a pruning tool kit to help you out.

Part 2 of 3: Removing old glass

Step 1: Remove the air barrier. The air barrier is a piece of cladding that acts as insulation to prevent outside air from entering the vehicle through gaps in the window.

Remove it from the path to access the inside of the door.

Step 2: Lower the window and remove the nuts.. To access the nuts, you will need to lower the window.

You can reconnect the switch or reattach the handle to lower the power window.

Having gained access to the nuts, unscrew them.

Step 3: Remove the old glass. If the glass has been broken, only one or two small pieces will need to be removed from the power window.

You will have to vacuum all the parts inside the door. Wear thick work gloves to avoid cutting yourself on broken glass.

If the glass is still intact, you can pull it through the door and out. You will need to remove the inner seal at the bottom of the window to make room for the glass to be removed.

Part 3 of 3: Installing new glass

Step 1: Remove the bottom track bolt.. Unscrewing the bottom rail bolt will allow the window rail to move slightly and make it easier to fit the new window into the rail.

It should be located either in front or behind at the bottom of the door.

• FunctionsNote: This may not be necessary on all vehicles, but if you are having trouble getting the window back in, you may consider unscrewing this bolt.

Step 2: Insert the new glass into the rail. Start on the short side of the window pane and tilt it slightly down into the guide. Once the short side is aligned, start lowering the taller side to fit it into the guide.

Don't use too much force or you will break the new window. Do not let go of the glass, even when it is cut through, because there is nothing holding it yet.

• A warning: Make sure you wear gloves and goggles in case the glass breaks. You don't want small fragments to get into your eyes or cut your hands.

• Attention: If you haven't already, remove the inner seal at the bottom of the window to make room for the new glass slot.

Step 3: Align Mounting Holes with Regulator. There will be mounting holes in the glass for the screws that need to go into the regulator to connect the two pieces together.

Hold the glass with one hand and align the screws with the other.

Step 4: Pull the window down. Use a ratchet or wrench and tighten the nuts to secure the window.

They shouldn't be too tight, just make them neat.

Step 5: Retighten the track. Align the track inside with one hand so that the bottom track bolt can be screwed in again.

If you don't, the track won't hold the window securely.

Step 6: Check the window. Before reinstalling the door panel, make sure the window actually goes up and down.

You don't want to put the panel back on only to find out that the window wasn't cut in one of the tracks.

Step 7: Install the inner seal on the window.. The inner seal is located under the door panel and must be reinstalled first.

Step 8: Reapply the Air Barrier. Install an air barrier above the door.

If the adhesive doesn't hold, you can use glue or double-sided tape to secure it in place.

Step 9: Attach the door panel. Align the top slots and lower the panel into them to reattach it.

Step 10: Reinstall everything the way you took it off. Replace any screws that were removed from the door earlier and reattach any plastic panels.

Make sure you reconnect the door handle linkage if you had to disconnect it before, or reconnect the switch if applicable.

Step 11: Test the Window Again. After putting everything back together, check the window again to make sure everything is in order.

Check other door functions to make sure everything is assembled correctly.

Doing your own glass replacement at home can save you a decent amount of money, especially if you buy new glass at a good discount. However, if you don't like this repair at all, you can always ask a mechanic for quick and detailed advice, or find one of our qualified technicians to come to your home or office and inspect your windows.