How to Take Out a Car Window

A car window that has been cracked or otherwise damaged must be removed for replacement. The window glass is held in place within the door by a regulator frame or lift channel that keeps it steady while it rolls up and down. If this regulator must be replaced, you might have to remove the glass to remove and replace the regulator. To get to the glass, you remove the car door's inner trim panel and disconnect the glass from its regulator frame.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver Wrench

Instructions

1. Disconnect the battery's negative cable, especially if the car has power windows. Open the car door and roll down the window.

2. Detach the inner trim panel from the door. Remove the manual window handle (if there is one) by working a cloth behind it to dislodge the retaining clip. Remove all retaining screws on the panel and disengage the push-in fasteners around the perimeter.

3. Remove the trim panel by tilting it outward so it clears the locator pins on the backside. Pull the panel up sharply to detach it from the channel holding it to the weatherstrip on top. Move the panel away from the door, disconnect the latch connecting it to the door handle and unplug the electrical connectors.

4. Remove any speakers on the door and the trim panel's mounting bracket. Peel the water shield away from the door, making sure you don't tear it. Hold or support the glass to keep it in place within the door and remove the bolts holding the glass within the lift channel or regulator.

5. Push the glass up until it is clear of the regulator or channel. It should partially poke out of the door. If the door has no upper window frame, you can grasp it up top with both hands and pull it the rest of the way out of the door. Otherwise, grasp it from the bottom and slide it downward out of the door.