1/4 panel removal and replacement

[GS450-Junkie]

I'm about to remove and replace a LR 1/4 panel. Any tips or suggestions ? I assume I have to take off the rear fascia ? I've noticed that the LR glass in this panel is held in by about 40lbs. of black gunk that is spread all around the opening. The RR looks a bit more polished. What is the proper way to install the glass on the new panel ? Forgive me for asking...I really haven't looked at it too closely. How much time am I looking at here start to finish ? I've never taken one off before. Can't imagine it's too difficult, just thought I'd ask. Thanks !

[GS450-Junkie]

Ok, so I got the quarter panel off...took about 1.5 hours. Putting the glass in the new 1/4 panel.... I noticed there are some little metal tabs that are riveted to the inside of the panel to hold the glass in but DMC doesn't have them as an actual listed part. Should I just glue in the glass and call it good enough or should I make my own? What do you people do ? There are also some holding in the glass on the doors.

I am also wondering about the outer seals on the 1/4 glass and door glass. The seals on the 1/4 glass....I'm not sure they are totally neccessary, not to mention they are $40+ each. How many of you have bothered to replace them, vs. using some sort of caulking, vs. not using anything at all ? Just wondering if I should order them or not. The outer seals on the door glass are pretty much required to keep the water out of the doors....so I will replace them since mine are shrunk. Question....if I take the old ones out will the glass loosen up or fall out ? What's the best way to do this and are they glued in or just pinched into place ?

Thanks....

[TTait]

That rubber trim is tough, really tough. If you want to get it right I'd say make a pattern on the other side, and then cut the form out of luan. I'd then put a few pieces of monofiliment on the luan, and then lightly silicon it onto the glass (the fishing line will be used to cut the luan off later).

Then try to put it all together. Good luck. I took about 5 tries and in the end what I got was just acceptable, not perfect. I didn't use the luan - but it might help.

I'm told most people just leave the rubber trim out, that it wasn't used on late cars - not sure if that's true or not.

As to the metal tabs - use the old Z shaped tabs and new rivets.

Good luck.

[GS450-Junkie]

Go slow here.... I'm a backyard mechanic. :) Any pictures of what you're talking about exactly? Are you talking about the trim on the doors or 1/4 panels ?



I don't have the old tabs....they are long gone.








That rubber trim is tough, really tough. If you want to get it right I'd say make a pattern on the other side, and then cut the form out of luan. I'd then put a few pieces of monofiliment on the luan, and then lightly silicon it onto the glass (the fishing line will be used to cut the luan off later).

Then try to put it all together. Good luck. I took about 5 tries and in the end what I got was just acceptable, not perfect. I didn't use the luan - but it might help.

I'm told most people just leave the rubber trim out, that it wasn't used on late cars - not sure if that's true or not.

As to the metal tabs - use the old Z shaped tabs and new rivets.

Good luck.

[DMCMW Dave]

The tabs are only needed to hold the glass in until the glue dries. Some cars have them, some don't.

The rubber seal is purely cosmetic (where is water going to leak into that isn't already wet?!). It was installed on later cars only. I'm not sure but based on a quick walk around the shop I'm guessing 1982-83 cars only.

[thirdmanj]

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I feel kinda silly asking this, but what did you scratch on your door?

[mluder]

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I feel kinda silly asking this, but what did you scratch on your door?

Key Code?