Subject: Rear quarter window removal procedure (long) Author: shogun (moderator) : member since March, 2004 : 12553 posts Posted on: 2008-07-26 00:11:23

OK, here is my attempt at documenting the rear quarter window removal procedure. I hope this helps anybody attempting this...definitely a "bugger" to do! But with enough patience...as follows:

1. Remove exterior trim by using a flat bladed screwdriver. Start towards the rear of the car and gently nudge from below and work your way forward. I also removed the upper exterior trim as the car is getting repainted. It is easier to remove this piece of trim beginning at the front of the door and finishing at the lower rear corner of the window...and be careful this piece is "hard" and can get brittle over time.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/2697916154_ac226be619_m.jpg

Photo of window with exterior trim removed.

2.Remove rear seat and interior trim panel. Both are pretty easy.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/2697916202_aec886f3a8_m.jpg

View with seat and trim panel removed.

3. I removed the door seal. This is attached with very heavy duty double backed foam tape...you need to start at the bottom and use a flat bladed screwdriver or other sharp flat bladed tool and slowly chase the seal up until you get to the 2 black plastic connector "buttons".
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/2697916308_3e589aed1a_m.jpg

4. I then used this tool to remove the buttons. They are a real "bugger". The use of a needle-nosed plier from the inside of the window well helps...squeeze the backsides to assist in removing the buttons intact.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2697916342_404c28701d_m.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/2697945576_9abe7aa848_m.jpg

View with seal, strike plate and latch removed.
5. I removed the sill plates and associated seals as I figured I would clean away all the dust & dirt.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3296/2697916394_370fc8caa5_m.jpg

View with sill plates removed.

6. I then used a small flat bladed screwdriver to lift the small tabs on these clips (5 of them)...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/2697916242_4fe902dc15_m.jpg

7. Then I used another larger flat bladed screwdriver to lift the entire clip up off the flange of the window well.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/2697916276_60cc63f17a_m.jpg

8. Remove interior side felt/cover with 5 clips.

9. Loosen the forward 13mm nut and remove the middle and rear 13 mm nut...then score asphaltic sound proofing to remove the window well cover to expose window well.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/2697916478_7a8e70f933_m.jpg

View from above with window well cover removed.

10. Remove side access panel (10 mm screws? 3 of them).
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3047/2697916512_d80244d348_m.jpg

View with access panel removed.

11. Raise window all the way up and access the two 10 mm bolts through the access holes (after creating holes in the asphaltic sound proofing). Remove both bolts.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/2697183841_bc6443618e_m.jpg

Farthest aft bolt.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/2697939078_2a6732057f_m.jpg

Close-up of farthest forward bolt.

12. Lower window. I used the powered window regulator to lower the window slowly about 2/3 of the way. There you can just barely see the 3rd bolt. It is a torx bolt with a nut on it. You need to back off the nut to loosen it then screw in the torx to back the stud out of the receiver hole in the window. You then rack the glass carefully and the stud will disengage from the glass...voila! Slowly lift the glass out and it should slide out of the window well with a little care.

I should also mention that there are 3 adjusting nuts/torx bolts that you need to "loosen" prior to removing the nuts/studs from the glazing. The first one is adjacent the access hole for the front bolt, the second one is adjacent to the acess hole for the rear bolt and the 3rd one is south of the access panel. I believe these have to do with adjusting the glazing position. These need to hace the nuts backed off and the torx bolts adjusting "inward"...and the reverse once you have reinstalled the glazing.
The first rear quarter window took me about 4 hours to figure out. The second one took me just under 2 hours to remove and replace.
Good luck and I hope this helps others out. If I missed anything, apologies up front. I did my best!
1994 850Ci (Euro)

Question:

Steps 1, 3, and 4 appear to be optional for a straight up R+R on the window, right?

Answer:
Steps 1, 3 and 4...

Step 1 is sort of necessary as it gives you more room to work from above when removing the glazing.
Steps 3 and 4 are optional I guess. I removed the vertival seal as it was glued to the horizontal seal on my car and both are being replaced anyways. This project is turning into one gigantic "mission creep" event for me!
I am learning a lot though.
Good catch on that. I am getting so involved in this project it is just taking up my whole being!
Regards,
George
1994 850Ci (Euro)
Author: design apparatus on 2008-07-24 on roadfly

E32 750iL 11/88, E32 750iL Highline 03/90
7 series Tech tips URL:http://tinyurl.com/3486c

• Rear quarter window removal procedure (long) (pic) - shogun 2008-07-26 00:11:23 (697 views)