Auto Glass Replacement

[maste...@gmail.com]

I have a '91 golf and it was broken into yesterday. They broke the
hatch window and the passenger window. I was just scouting out a few
replacement places and it looks like it'll cost ~300 for the rear
window and ~250 for the passenger installed. That's a bit more than
I'd like to pay.

Any ideas on how to lower this cost? I was thinking I could get
replacement windows from a junkyard (a local junkyard has a few 89-91
golf/jettas). Do you think that the glass places would install them?
(If they would, what windows/years/models are interchangeable?) I
doubt I could do the rear window myself, but how about the passenger?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

-Matt

It's interesting to note that for whatever reason they only stole my
sub ($90) and bluetooth headset ($20) while leaving my stereo, tool
bag, ti89, ipod, checkbook and thermo textbook (which were all in a
bag that had clearly been rifled through) and all of which could
probably have landed ~$100 per...

[pf...@aol.com]

It is not terribly difficult to install the glass yourself. Have you
considered that option?

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA

[maste...@gmail.com]

yea, that's sort of what I was asking. My main concern was with
setting the rear glass, I've seen the guys doing windshields and it
looks like a pretty delicate process where you have to set it on the
glue 'just right'. Also, what years/models use the same glass? I have
a '91 4door hatch, would glass from any car (golf and jetta, or just
golf? from '89 -'91 work?).

thanks,
Matt

[pf...@aol.com]

If it is a simple grommet-mount, there should be no problems at all.
If it is glued flush-mount, the key is cleaning away the old glue
(from both parts) and getting an even fit across the entire edge.

I have no clue as to what size fits which vehicle. I would ask at VW
for that information, or your friendly glass dealer, or at the
junkyard itself.

It is MUCH more difficult to remove the glass intact than it is to
install it, by the way, so care, good gloves, eye protection and
patience are the keys. Did I mention good gloves? Eye protection?

[maste...@gmail.com]

Thanks for the help. I just finished calling every yard in town and no
one has any windows for my year (88-92 are all the same). So it looks
like I'll be going with service anyways.

thanks,
Matt

[Nate Nagel]

If this is an A2 chassis, the rear glass is the old style and definitely
within your capabilities. The rear side glass is the same, not sure if
by "passenger" window you mean the quarter window or door window. Door
window is probably DIYable but I've never done that.

I'd keep looking, maybe post to the vortex or something, see if someone
has a parts car local to you or can ship. (if money is a more pressing
issue than getting it fixed quickly, that is.)

While the hatch window is busted, I would remove the gasket and clean it
up very well, and examine the lip on the hatch for any signs of rust.
If any found paint the lip with POR-15 or similar - even if you have a
pro replace the glass. Same goes for the quarter window, if that is the
one that needs to be replaced.

I R&R'd both the hatch window and rear quarter window on my '89 GTI
myself with no problems, and I'm far from the most experienced glass guy
(the hatch to repair some rust that was starting, and the quarter window
because some kids busted it out after I sold it and the new owner was
also a friend of mine.) I did have a pro replace the windshield, but I
busted the old one out myself and painted the lip so that I wouldn't
have any rust/leak problems.

If you decide to tackle this yourself post back and I'll go into more
detail about what I think is the easy way to replace the old style glass.

good luck

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

[race...@racertodd.com]

maste...@gmail.com wrote:

>I have a '91 golf and it was broken into yesterday. They broke the
>hatch window and the passenger window. I was just scouting out a few
>replacement places and it looks like it'll cost ~300 for the rear
>window and ~250 for the passenger installed. That's a bit more than
>I'd like to pay.
>
>Any ideas on how to lower this cost? I was thinking I could get
>replacement windows from a junkyard (a local junkyard has a few 89-91
>golf/jettas). Do you think that the glass places would install them?
>(If they would, what windows/years/models are interchangeable?) I
>doubt I could do the rear window myself, but how about the passenger?

I've done all the windows on my Golfs at one time or another.
As far as I know, all glass on the A2 (85-91) cars in the same with
two exceptions. GTI hatch glass has two holes in the top for the rear
upper spoiler. Front door glass is different depending on if you have
small window doors (85-89) or big window doors (90-92).

The hatch glass is a standard rubber seal. No urethane
adhesives needed.
This page:
http://www.fordmuscle.com/blog/installing-back-glass/112212 shows how
to use some thin rope/twine to install a window. Very easy, best done
with two people.
As for the passenger window, the rear fixed glass on a
two-door is the same type of rubber gasket. Use the same procedure as
on the hatch.
The rollup window glass in a door is fairly easy to do. Door
panels come off, interior and exterior window rubber trim come off,
couple of bolts hold the glass to the window regulator.
The fixed window in a door isn't too hard either. Door panels
come off, some rubber trim comes off, then it's a screw or two and it
pops out.

www.car-part.com is an online database of junkyards. Search
for your part and you'll get a list of yards that show it in stock.

Todd

[Nate Nagel]

instead of rope, I prefer to use appx. 16AWG wire. just my personal
preference.

[Ears]

There's a few places online that will sell you good, used glass. I
ordered the rear quarter window for mine and it came with all the
rubber and everything. You can do it!

[Jeonard Dizon]

Try these people and good luck. http://www.autoglassguru.com/state-NJ.html

[John]

Unfortunately the days of fitting replacement windows yourself with the
string etc are over. In most cars now the windows are part of the load
bearing structure, are glued in . In my Hyundais/Subarus any way. I,d
certainly chase a 2nd hand one from a wreckers but I think you may be best
getting it installed by "experts". 2nd hand are about 1/3 new price and
cost ~$120 (Aust) = $80 USA.
John