GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J 24402-A Glass Sealant (Cold Knife) Remover

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 866921  Size: SH

    Caution: Always wear heavy gloves and safety glasses when handling glass to minimize the risk of injury.

    Notice: Place protective covers on body to prevent paint damage.

  1. Remove the liftgate inner lower panel assembly. Refer to Liftgate Panel Assembly - Inner Lower in Interior Trim.
  2. Remove the fasteners from the center high-mount stop lamp housing and disconnect the wire connector.
  3. Remove the electrical connectors from the bus bars, rear window defogger. Position the electrical connectors so not to damage the wiring/connectors when using the urethane power removal tool.
  4. Remove the liftgate applique. Refer to Liftgate Applique Replacement in Body Rear End .

  5. Object Number: 865845  Size: SH
  6. Remove the rear wiper arm. Refer to Rear Window Wiper Arm Replacement in Wipers/Washer Systems.
  7. Caution: When using power tools that may create smoke when cutting urethane sealant, work should be done in a well ventilated area and/or with a NIOSH/MSHA Approved air supplied respirator to prevent possible harmful exposure.

    When the urethane adhesive is heated enough to give off smoke, high levels of methylene diisocyanate (MDI) may be present.

    Unprotected exposure to methylene diisocyanate (MDI) may result in severe, chronic, debilitating respiratory problems.

  8. Preparation for the liftgate window installation.
  9. • If the liftgate window assembly is to be reused:
       - Apply two 152 mm (6 in) pieces of duct tape to the top and bottom of the glass to prevent it from falling out when the urethane adhesive is cut.
       - Entering from within the liftgate, cut the urethane around the glass using a power glass removal tool.
       - Remove the liftgate window assembly.

    Object Number: 865841  Size: MH
    • If the liftgate window assembly is damaged and must be replaced:
       - From outside of the vehicle, trim away encapsulation around the perimeter of glass using a sharp utility knife.
       - Using the J 24402-A or equivalent, cut the urethane around the perimeter of the glass. Keep the blade of the knife as close to the edge of the glass as possible.
       - Apply two 152 mm (6 in) pieces of duct tape to the top and bottom of the glass to prevent it from falling out when the urethane adhesive is cut.
       - From inside the liftgate, use a sharp utility knife to cut the remaining urethane at the glass corners and the area below the wiper motorshaft.
       - Remove the liftgate window assembly.

Installation Procedure

    Notice: To prevent corrosion, paint damage around the window opening by the power glass removal tool must be covered with pinchweld primer. Do not prime over existing urethane. Follow manufacturers recommendations for drying time.

    Notice: To avoid damage to the outer edge of the glass, be careful not to scratch the glass when removing urethane with a razor blade.

    Notice: Loose urethane and/or rough surfaces may cause sealing problems during installation. For cars with a sunroof, it is important to install the fasteners to the new roof assembly before the roof is installed in place.

  1. Preparation for window installation.
  2. • If the existing liftgate window assembly will be used:

    Object Number: 864691  Size: SH
       - Clean the old urethane from the liftgate window assembly using a new razor knife. Leave a thin film, approximately 1-2 mm (0.04-0.08 in), around the perimeter of the liftgate window assembly.
       - Install the liftgate applique. Refer to Liftgate Applique Replacement in Roof.
       - Clean the area with the urethane with a quality grade of rubbing alcohol using a clean, lint-free cloth. Wipe dry with a clean, lint-free cloth, and allow to dry so there is no trace of rubbing alcohol on the liftgate window assembly or urethane.

       Important:  The primer area has a minimum width diameter of 18 mm (0.71 in) in area (A).

    • If a new liftgate window assembly will be used:
       - Shake the glass prep primer, Clear #1 or equivalent well before applying. Apply glass prep primer, Clear #1 or equivalent, around the entire perimeter of the glass using a dauber.
       - Wipe dry with a clean, lint-free cloth.
  3. Prime the window opening area.
  4. 2.1. Shake the glass primer, Black #2 or equivalent, well before applying.

            Important: The primer area has a minimum width diameter of 18 mm (0.71 in) in area (A).

            Important: Use the line along the top of the liftgate window assembly below the liftgate window assembly upper molding as a guide when applying the primer.

    2.2. With a new dauber apply the glass prep primer, Black #2 or equivalent, around the entire perimeter over Clear #1 or equivalent.
    2.3. Allow the primer to dry 5 minutes before applying the urethane.
  5. Apply a smooth, continuous bead of adhesive directly to the old urethane adhesive in the glass opening or to the glass. Apply according to the following dimensions:
  6. Bead Dimension

        • Minimum Width: Dimension (B) 8 mm (0.32 in).
        • Minimum Height: Dimension (C) 13 mm (0.51 in).

    Object Number: 864723  Size: SH

    Notice: Until the new urethane has cured, air pressure from a closing door may cause the glass to move. To prevent this, lower the opposite side door window a minimum of 76 mm (3 in) before closing the door.

    Important:  The vehicle must remain at normal room temperature for 6 hours to complete proper cure of the adhesive. Refer to the manufacturer's recommendation.

  7. With the aid of a helper, align the window assembly onto the wiper module shaft. Press the glass firmly around the perimeter of the wiper module shaft and glass to wet out and set the adhesive. Use care to avoid excessive squeeze out which would cause an appearance problem. Use tape from the glass to the liftgate to hold in position until the urethane adhesive is cured.
  8. Watertest the vehicle at once using a soft spray. Use warm or hot water if available. Do not direct a hard stream of water at fresh adhesive material. Water applied on top of urethane adhesive, either during watertest or part of a separate operation, will speed up the cure of urethane.
  9. Inspect for leaks from inside the vehicle. Paddle in extra adhesive at leak points using a tongue depressor or a similar flat flexible tool.
  10. Install the wiper arm. Refer to Windshield Wiper Arm Replacement in Wipers/Washer Systems.
  11. Connect the electrical connectors to the bus bars.
  12. Install the center high-mount stop lamp.
  13. Install the liftgate inner lower panel assembly. Refer to Liftgate Panel Assembly - Inner Lower in Interior Trim.