97 2 door metro quarter window question

madmanblake · #1 02-08-2006, 08:31 PM

WEll, I'm an idiot, long story short, I had to break out the driver's quarter window to get into my car today. Of course, before that, I thought it would be a good idea to cut the seal off of it so I wouldn't have to break it.

After a few calls to glass places, it looks as though the seal/molding is almost as much as the glass!

Has anyone replaced these windows themselves, or knows what will separate the adhesive on the window?

Related note - does anyone have a spare molding?

Thanks,

Blake

carpenter_jai · #2 02-08-2006, 11:35 PM

I broke my hatch window in an even stupider situation. Closed it without checking to see if it cleared a bucket of glue I was taking to work. I called around, and prices for a new one was too much. I eventually found a little alternator rebuilder who put a used one in for $200. This price was only $50 more than I could get the used window and do it myself.

As for the adhesive, they use an epoxy that will bond with the old adhesive. Just clean off the broken glass with a razor blade scraper ($3 at home depot)to get a smooth bonding surface. They should be able to reuse the old gasket material. If you find a used window, it may have the old gasket intact, which would be a bonus.

Jai

madmanblake · #3 02-09-2006, 08:28 AM

It's not the rear hatch, tho, it's the window behind the driver's door. Hopefully there is someone out there with a seal or a window/seal combo...

Blake

madmanblake · #4 02-09-2006, 07:45 PM

I wish it had the popouts - like my '94 had. that was one thing that always bothered me about the '97. I like some air flow, not A/C.

madmanblake · #5 02-11-2006, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieInterim

Blake,

Tough situation! I bet you went and bought a hide-a-key after this episode.

Funny thing is, I put a hide-a-key under my car New Years in Colorado to see if it would last the 1000 odd mile trip. Hadn't looked at it to see if it was there UNTIL ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE I LOCKED THE KEYS IN!!!!!!!!!

Dangit I wish I had the popouts...anybody wanna trade a '97 with a busted window for a pre '95?

Blake

(what are the chances of 2 Blakes in this world being Geo fanatics?)

Metro Mighty Mouse · #6 02-11-2006, 12:40 PM

Ok guys, there is a better way. I did this a couple of years ago and got the door open with stuff I was able to find on the side of the road with no major damage to glass or other parts. When you call someone to pop the door open they shove a wedge shaped piece of plastic between the window and the door to open it up enough to see the lock bars inside the door. They then use a hook to pull the bar and unlock the door. I just walked around until I found a piece of wood, a stake, that would work, just have to be careful putting it in because it is not spreading the pressure over as large an area, 1 inch in my case, compared to 4 to 5 inches for the pro tool. Once you have a little room to work between the window and door you just need a coat hanger or something similar that you can bend into a little hook at the end and you go fishing for the bar to unlock the door. I broke the plastic clip that holds the bar to the latch mechanism, but that is a lot cheaper than a window, and I actually just used a piece of wire to hold it in place.
Generally

works better than

Metro on!!
Jon

carpenter_jai · #7 02-11-2006, 08:03 PM

I used to have a paper route, years ago. It was about -20 c/-30 f and I locked the keys in the car. I had to walk 3 miles home, and then had to wake up my girlfriend at the time, who apparantly was a deep sleeper. I was throwing things at my window in the cold, at 3 in the morning.

My solution was to go out and buy a belt clip with a short chain. My keys are attached to the chain, which you can barely see , if you're concerned about looking like a "punk." Never had a problem since. And by the way, most car thieves look for hide a keys before they break in.

Jai

madmanblake · #8 02-13-2006, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carpenter_jai

I used to have a paper route, years ago. It was about -20 c/-30 f and I locked the keys in the car. I had to walk 3 miles home, and then had to wake up my girlfriend at the time, who apparantly was a deep sleeper. I was throwing things at my window in the cold, at 3 in the morning.

My solution was to go out and buy a belt clip with a short chain. My keys are attached to the chain, which you can barely see , if you're concerned about looking like a "punk." Never had a problem since. And by the way, most car thieves look for hide a keys before they break in.

Jai

It is amazing at the abuse that window took, I beat it twice (HARD) with the back of my shovel and the shovel just bounced. I finally pryed with the shovel and it popped.

If a car thief wants my car, he/she is definitely on drugs. Bad drugs. Hallucinogenic drugs. And no one would stick their arm up under my car once they felt how much oil and gunk is under there. Who needs a magnet when you've got crud?

crazyinkc · #9 02-15-2006, 09:03 AM

Not trying to be a jerk but the door glass would have been much cheaper and easier to replace. When breaking glass, strike at a corner. It will shater much easier.

madmanblake · #10 02-15-2006, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyinkc

Not trying to be a jerk but the door glass would have been much cheaper and easier to replace. When breaking glass, strike at a corner. It will shater much easier.

Well, I had no way of knowing which glass would be cheaper when I was 50 miles from home with my phone and keys in the car and my wallet at home. And I do not plan on breaking any other glass in the future.

SO TO GET BACK TO THE ORIGINAL GIST OF THIS POST:

Does anyone have a window or the molding for a '97? Please? The duct tape is highly effective, but it does detract from the look.

Blake

crazyinkc · #11 02-15-2006, 04:07 PM

Sorry Blake. I tried not to come off like a jerk. I just learned experience that the windows that bolt in are so much easier to replace. My step-daughter bought an 89 Grand prix with the rear side window busted out and we went to the Pick and Pull and cut out a window with the rubber trim after we were quoted over $250 from a glass place. Then we trimmed the old urethane sealant. Then we installed the new (old) window with a tube of black urethane in a caulking gun. The stuff is thick and your forearms will look like Popeye's for squeezing the trigger. Then we placed the window/seal on the car and tapped it in place until it dried. A good junk yard should be able to cut out the whole thing so you could use the used seal with the window. Its a little work but much cheaper than what the glass guys want to do it. Again sorry for sounding like a butt, I meant nothing by it. Hope this helps.

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