After figuring out why my rear defroster does not work I narrowed it down to the rear glass itself. The tabs on the glass that feed the power to the grid on the window were no longer making electrical contact. It was time to replace the glass.
Tabs -
Could have soldered them probably -
Replacement windshield with good tabs-
Since this was my first time doing it I have myself plenty of time (about 2 hours) and a sunny afternoon.
First, remove the chrome/black "CUPs" on each corner of the windshield holding the ends of the locking strips. They are #7 in the link below, and connect the ends of the upper and lower "Mouldings" #5 and #6 .
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1074&mospid=47302&btnr=51_0257& hg=51&fg=05
then pull the upper and lower mouldings out of the "Weatherstrip" in the window frame #4.
and push the window out of the frame, starting from the top, I used a flat head screwdriver very carefully to guide the window out of the rubber weatherstrip.
Next, I found that it's easier to install it by dropping the glass into the weatherstrip grove at the bottom first. Then using soapy water and a screwdriver again slowly guide the glass into the weatherstip.
Now comes the fun part, installing the upper and lower mouldings or strips back into the weatherstrip. These requires patience and being careful to not damage the rubber or scratch the paint/glass.
I started by laying the upper and lower strips in the groves and checking both ends to make sure both sides are equal. The lower strip might appear "short" but when you install it it will stretch so keep that in mind. To install the chrome (or if you have a late model car, black) "L" cups you can do it with small flat head screwdriver or with a special tool that I didn't have on hand, I believe it' sold at any automotive store.
Tools that I used
Now I need another R3vlimited sticker lol
Tabs -
Could have soldered them probably -
Replacement windshield with good tabs-
Since this was my first time doing it I have myself plenty of time (about 2 hours) and a sunny afternoon.
First, remove the chrome/black "CUPs" on each corner of the windshield holding the ends of the locking strips. They are #7 in the link below, and connect the ends of the upper and lower "Mouldings" #5 and #6 .
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1074&mospid=47302&btnr=51_0257& hg=51&fg=05
then pull the upper and lower mouldings out of the "Weatherstrip" in the window frame #4.
and push the window out of the frame, starting from the top, I used a flat head screwdriver very carefully to guide the window out of the rubber weatherstrip.
Next, I found that it's easier to install it by dropping the glass into the weatherstrip grove at the bottom first. Then using soapy water and a screwdriver again slowly guide the glass into the weatherstip.
Now comes the fun part, installing the upper and lower mouldings or strips back into the weatherstrip. These requires patience and being careful to not damage the rubber or scratch the paint/glass.
I started by laying the upper and lower strips in the groves and checking both ends to make sure both sides are equal. The lower strip might appear "short" but when you install it it will stretch so keep that in mind. To install the chrome (or if you have a late model car, black) "L" cups you can do it with small flat head screwdriver or with a special tool that I didn't have on hand, I believe it' sold at any automotive store.
Tools that I used
Now I need another R3vlimited sticker lol
R.I.P 07/01/09 - 04/23/10 :(
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