GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Removal Procedure

Tools Required

J 24402-A Glass Sealant (cold knife) Remover

Caution: If broken glass falls into the defroster outlets, it can be blown into the passenger compartment and cause personal injury.

Place protective coverings around the window removal area in order to perform the following step:

  1. Remove the rear view mirror. Refer to Inside Rearview Mirror Replacement .
  2. Remove the antenna mast.
  3. Remove the windshield wiper arms. Refer to Windshield Wiper Arm Replacement in Wiper/Washer Systems.
  4. Remove the cowl air inlet grill panel. Refer to Air Inlet Grille Panel Replacement in Body Front End.

  5. Object Number: 374503  Size: SH
  6. Reposition the front door weatherstrips in order to access the reveal moldings.
  7. Remove the reveal moldings.

  8. Object Number: 379905  Size: SH
  9. Remove the upper windshield molding by cutting the molding with a utility knife.

  10. Object Number: 379881  Size: SH
  11. Remove the sides and the top of the windshield from the urethane adhesive using a J 24402-A or a similar tool. Keep the cutting edge of the knife against the glass.

  12. Object Number: 379883  Size: SH
  13. Remove the bottom of the windshield from the urethane adhesive using a long knife or similar tool. Keep the cutting edge of the knife against the glass.

  14. Object Number: 379903  Size: SH
  15. Remove the windshield.
  16. Inspect the urethane adhesive and the pinchweld flange in order to determine if the short method or the extended method is required. Refer to Short Method Description and Extended Method Description .

  17. Object Number: 350365  Size: SH
  18. If you are performing the short method, use a utility knife or the equivalent tool in order to trim the remaining adhesive (2) to a uniform thickness.

  19. Object Number: 379896  Size: SH
  20. If you are performing the extended method, use a utility knife or the equivalent tool in order to remove all of the urethane adhesive from the pinchweld flange.
  21. Clean any loose material from the windshield opening.
  22. If you are reusing the windshield, remove the remaining urethane adhesive from the windshield.
  23. Clean the sealing surface of the windshield with GM window cleaner P/N 1050427 or equivalent.

Installation Procedure

  1. Dry-fit the windshield into the opening in order to determine the correct position of the windshield.
  2. 1.1. Adjust the windshield to the correct position in the opening.
    1.2. Apply 4 short strips of masking tape vertically across the top of the windshield-to-body opening.
    1.3. Slit the masking tape at the windshield edge.
    1.4. Remove the windshield from the opening
    1.5. Place the windshield on a clean, protected surface with the inside of the windshield facing up.

    Object Number: 379895  Size: SH

    Important: If you are using the short method, do not apply primer over the existing urethane adhesive.

  3. If you are performing the extended method, apply primer to the pinchweld flange.
  4. •  Use pinchweld primer # 3 or equivalent from GM P/N 12346284.
    •  Allow the primer to dry for 10 minutes.

    Object Number: 379890  Size: SH
  5. Apply glass prep primer (clear, number 1) to the sealing surface of the windshield. No drying time is needed.
  6. Wipe any excess primer off immediately.


    Object Number: 379888  Size: SH

    Caution: When replacing stationary windows, use Urethane Adhesive Kit GM P/N 12346392 (Canadian P/N 10952983), or a urethane adhesive system meeting GM Specification GM3651G, to maintain original installation integrity. Failure to use the urethane adhesive kit will result in poor retention of the window which may allow unrestrained occupants to be ejected from the vehicle resulting in personal injury.

  7. Apply glass prep primer (black, number 2) to the black sealing surface of the windshield.
  8. Allow the primer to dry for 10 minutes.


    Object Number: 379869  Size: SH
  9. If you are performing the extended method, apply a continuous 14 mm (0.55 in) high by 8 mm (0.32  in) wide bead of urethane adhesive to the windshield sealing surface.

  10. Object Number: 379813  Size: SH
  11. If you are performing the short method, apply a continuous 6 mm (0.25 in) bead of urethane adhesive to the existing urethane sealant.
  12. Install the upper windshield molding.

  13. Object Number: 379903  Size: SH
  14. With the aid of a helper place the windshield onto the windshield supports.
  15. Use the tape guides applied earlier in order to adjust the windshield to the proper position.
  16. Firmly press on the outer edges of the windshield in order to seat the urethane adhesive.
  17. Avoid excessive urethane adhesive squeeze-out.

  18. In order to ensure a water tight seal, use a small flat blade tool in order to paddle the urethane sealant around the edge of the windshield.
  19. Apply additional urethane sealant as needed in order to fill voids in the urethane sealant.

  20. Using a soft spray of water, immediately test the effectiveness of the urethane sealant.
  21. 12.1. Softly spray warm or hot water around the outside edges of the windshield.
    12.2. If any water leaks are present inside the vehicle, apply additional urethane sealant to the leak area using a flat blade tool.
    12.3. Dry the windshield and the body.
  22. Partially roll down a door window in order to prevent excess pressure in the passenger compartment when closing the doors.

  23. Object Number: 374503  Size: SH
  24. Install the reveal moldings.
  25. Install the front door weatherstrips.
  26. Clean the windshield and body.
  27. Tape the windshield to the body in order to minimize movement of the windshield.
  28. Install the cowl air inlet grill panel. Refer to Air Inlet Grille Panel Replacement in Body Front End.
  29. Install the windshield wiper arms. Refer to Windshield Wiper Arm Replacement in Wiper/Washer Systems.
  30. Install the antenna mast.
  31. Install the rear view mirror. Refer to Inside Rearview Mirror Replacement .
  32. Allow the urethane sealant to cure for 6 hours at room temperature.
  33. Remove the tape from the windshield.
  34. Clean the windshield and the body.