Date:         Tue, 7 Sep 2004 00:34:28 -0700
Reply-To:     Doug in Calif <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Doug in Calif <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
Subject:      Removing the sliding window from its track and disassembly of
              side window (long)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Well, I looked in the archives for this but could not find anything. I finally figured it out in my shop.

I have a side "sliding" window out of a van from a wrecker. 
I wanted to disassemble it for a project.

I first removed the screw under the latch, this removes the latch. then the two phillips screws holding the latch hardware to the glass. This didnt seem to get me far. 

Next I freed the felt channel the top of the glass rides in, by shutting the glass and pulling it down and opening the glass and freeing it up I was able to slide it out from between the glass and aluminum frame, now the window will lift out. 

I think this would be difficult to get back together after taking it apart this way.

Next I wanted to get the "fixed" glass out of the frame. The frame breaks down by the following:

I heated the frame with a heat gun to soften the silicone. I pryed out the "notched" latch "catch" rail from the frame, it's siliconed in. Next off comes the "vertical divider" strip on the inside edge of the fixed glass. Next is "splitting" the frame where it meets on the back edge of the fixed glass. I heated the frame and used a wooden block to tap the frame away from one side of the glass. Did the same for the other side of the frame.

This gives you a rectangular frame which is split at one short side the back edge. This allows you to fit everything in the frame and "close" it around. 

The secret seems to be to use the heat gun and get the silicone warmed up, 

If you can "cheat" the "felt channel" out of the top and front edge and get it back in after you can get the sliding glass out for tinting cleaning / replacing the small felt seals ect.

Hope that helps. 

I am trying to retro fit the "D" pillar fresh air exhaust vents into my 87 syncro and I am looking at using a "sliding" window for the glass instead of the fixed glass the factory uses. This will offer an opening window for the back seat and more air when sleeping in the back.  

With the plastic vent the "fixed" window will have to be smaller, and the slider will not open but for about 4-5 inches max. For the fixed window I am planning on using a piece of clear polycarbonite or acrylic from tap plastics.  

Any thoughts on this idea would be appreciated if anybody has done it before. 

I have a shot of a Canadian westy which had "factory" sliders in the D pillar windows. 

Doug