Indy4Runner
New member
Replacing Door Glass--with pics
My driver's side window broke into a million pieces this week and rather than claim it on insurance (and pay a $250 deductible) I decided to get one for a junkyard. An hour drive and $100 later, I had my new (to me) window and was heading back to install it. I'm no professional but I'm fairly proficient mechanically so I typically repair my own vehicles. Even if you are not mechanically inclined, this will not prove to be terribly difficult. I didn't set out to do a "how-to" article on this but since I always take pictures of anything I disassemble, I figured I'd post what I had and what I learned.
First step: You cannot see it on this picture but to the right of the speaker, there is a small, circular, black plastic piece that needs to be pried out. This piece helps secure the door panel to the door. I used two small screwdrivers on each side and pried up slowly until it came out. Be careful not to damage the material underneath. Place somewhere safe.
Second step: Using a small flathead screwdriver, pry off the small plastic piece to the right of the door lock. Place somewhere safe.
Third step: Using the same screwdriver, pry off the vent cover. Place somewhere safe.
Fourth step: Remove all exposed screws with a phillips head screwdriver. Place in a plastic bag.
Here is everything that's been taken off so far:
Fifth step: With a medium-sized flathead screwdriver, pry around the bottom and sides of the door panel. This will pop loose the plastic retaining clips that hold the panel to the door. Pull up on the door panel and the panel will lift off. BE CAREFUL AS THERE ARE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS RUNNING FROM THE BODY TO THE DOOR. HAVE SOMEONE THERE TO HOLD THE PANEL FOR YOU.
Sixth step: Remove the electrical connectors from the panel by squeezing in on the sides and pulling away. A note here: to raise and lower the window you will need to plug them back in but it only takes seconds to connect and disconnect them.
Seventh step: Remove the lower door speaker by taking out the four screws that hold it in and pulling the electrical connectors out as described above. I had lots of shattered glass in the bottom of the door so I used my Shop-Vac to clean it all out.
Eight step: Take a good, hard look at the inside of the door. Raise and lower the window arms so you can see how it works before you put the window back in. When you see understand how it works, lower the arms to the bottom so that you can put the window in.
To put the window in, go through window opening. Line up the window with the grooves and slowly push it down the channels until it meets the horizontal cross bar (which slides to help you align it by the way) that it is bolted into. It may not make sense now, but it will after you have raised and lowered your window a few times as mentioned above.
After the window is in place, raise up and then lower it. If it does not go smoothly it is because the window is not in the channel properly. It took me about 20 minutes to get it lined up properly (I wasn't paying attention) but believe me it's not rocket science. Assembly is the reverse of disassembly.
Misc tips: In the event you are doing both doors at the same time, only do one at a time so you can reference the other door if you get stuck. This goes for whether you are replacing glass, wheel bearings, etc.
Most of all, have fun. There is no greater achievement than fixing your own vehicle. Hope someone gets something out of this.
My driver's side window broke into a million pieces this week and rather than claim it on insurance (and pay a $250 deductible) I decided to get one for a junkyard. An hour drive and $100 later, I had my new (to me) window and was heading back to install it. I'm no professional but I'm fairly proficient mechanically so I typically repair my own vehicles. Even if you are not mechanically inclined, this will not prove to be terribly difficult. I didn't set out to do a "how-to" article on this but since I always take pictures of anything I disassemble, I figured I'd post what I had and what I learned.
First step: You cannot see it on this picture but to the right of the speaker, there is a small, circular, black plastic piece that needs to be pried out. This piece helps secure the door panel to the door. I used two small screwdrivers on each side and pried up slowly until it came out. Be careful not to damage the material underneath. Place somewhere safe.
Second step: Using a small flathead screwdriver, pry off the small plastic piece to the right of the door lock. Place somewhere safe.
Third step: Using the same screwdriver, pry off the vent cover. Place somewhere safe.
Fourth step: Remove all exposed screws with a phillips head screwdriver. Place in a plastic bag.
Here is everything that's been taken off so far:
Fifth step: With a medium-sized flathead screwdriver, pry around the bottom and sides of the door panel. This will pop loose the plastic retaining clips that hold the panel to the door. Pull up on the door panel and the panel will lift off. BE CAREFUL AS THERE ARE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS RUNNING FROM THE BODY TO THE DOOR. HAVE SOMEONE THERE TO HOLD THE PANEL FOR YOU.
Sixth step: Remove the electrical connectors from the panel by squeezing in on the sides and pulling away. A note here: to raise and lower the window you will need to plug them back in but it only takes seconds to connect and disconnect them.
Seventh step: Remove the lower door speaker by taking out the four screws that hold it in and pulling the electrical connectors out as described above. I had lots of shattered glass in the bottom of the door so I used my Shop-Vac to clean it all out.
Eight step: Take a good, hard look at the inside of the door. Raise and lower the window arms so you can see how it works before you put the window back in. When you see understand how it works, lower the arms to the bottom so that you can put the window in.
To put the window in, go through window opening. Line up the window with the grooves and slowly push it down the channels until it meets the horizontal cross bar (which slides to help you align it by the way) that it is bolted into. It may not make sense now, but it will after you have raised and lowered your window a few times as mentioned above.
After the window is in place, raise up and then lower it. If it does not go smoothly it is because the window is not in the channel properly. It took me about 20 minutes to get it lined up properly (I wasn't paying attention) but believe me it's not rocket science. Assembly is the reverse of disassembly.
Misc tips: In the event you are doing both doors at the same time, only do one at a time so you can reference the other door if you get stuck. This goes for whether you are replacing glass, wheel bearings, etc.
Most of all, have fun. There is no greater achievement than fixing your own vehicle. Hope someone gets something out of this.
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