morning gents! i'm in need of some rust repair of the drip rail above the windshield. i have a local guy who can get me a new windshield and install it all for $145. i want to yank the old windshield out myself so i can address the rust while it's out of the way so it'll be easy to work around and all before the new one goes in. how can i remove it so i can salvage the window trim and possibly the seal? if the seal can or needs to be replaced, i can just buy a new one.

 

I have had several windshields replaced in the last few years, lots of belly loading gravel trucks on the road here, and they had to replace the seal the first time, but I think they have reused it since. The point being that if yours is original, it probably has to be replaced...Mark

 

There is a rubber bead that goes around and locks the window in. Get a small jewelers screwdriver and pick one side of it out at the seam. The seam should be centered at the bottom.

Just slowly work it out and around. Wear gloves because the strip can be sharp. Some Windex on the strip can help lubricate it taking it out as well as going back in.

 

The installer has a special tool that has a small loop on it with a handle I just watcher a Installer do a windshield in 10 minutes ... He found the break in the round seal and popped the tool in around it around the seal

Edit:
http://www.hitechglazing.com/catalog/40273 tons to choce from but you will get the idea of the tool

 

Jimbo, you should post up some pictures of the rust repair at the top of the windshield. I've got the same problem, and don't know where to start. I know it's a common issue.

 

This is roof on my '92. It's original, someone had a visor on it at one time. I pop out a couple of the visor plugs once a year and spray rustproofing in there with a straw.




This is a roof that I just had repaired...

Before...



After...

 

So how did you repair it? Did you remove the windshield?

 

Big project, yes windshield came out.

Cut a roof from a donor truck I had w/ cab lights. Brought the cab and donor roof to the body guy. He fixed it all up for me. Not an easy task, but it's done.