2000 rear window replacement

[northern piper]

Hi

Anyone ever replaced the rear window on a windstar? Mine got smashed today and I don't want to do the insurance thing. I'm also looking for suppliers but there's not much I can see at this early hour.

Any experience guys?

[northern piper]

so replying to my own post, but hopefully helping others out... I found a local supplier for the window. It was Can$195, and 2 tubes of adhesive were $15 ea. Taking the old smashed window was an arduous task but as it's safety glass not really dangerous. Wearing gloves and safety glasses is a must though. The glass is only held with a urethane adhesive which needs to be cut with an exacto knife close to the door frame but not completely removed. Once the whole area is cleaned, vacuumed and the remaining urethane on the body smooth a special applicator with a promotor is used to wipe the just cut urethane. The adhesive is then applied with a caulking gun, the only unique thing being that the tip is cut open , then a "V" shape cut along one side of the tube so that when the tube is held perpendicular to frame the caulking that comes out of the tube is a very tall sharply pointed bead. I needed about 1.5 tubes. Put the rubber grommet on the wiper motor shaft and now you're ready for the window. The same promotor is wiped on the window and then it's set in place on the frame. You get exactly 1 chance to get this right and a helper is certainly required. Once it's on and the window is pressed tight so that the body lines are smooth, gap even all around, use duct tape to hold everything while the adhesive dries. There was no time listed on the tube but I gave it 12 hours at 70' F. Hook up the defroster leads on either side of the window inside the van Once the adhesive is fully dried, pull off the tape and clean any stickiness and you're good to go.

Last step, tell the driver to make sure "next time" they make sure they can see out of the window. Trees only strike out in self-defense.

p