Best way to remove rear hatch glass on 72 hardtop?

[CK5]

What is the best way to remove the rear hatch glass on a 69-72 hardtop?

 

[Bent77]

Been awhile since I looked, is the seal one that has an inset runner or “lock gasket”

If not, you have to work it out of there very carefully with some soapy water and a helping hand

If you don’t have a window hook tool, a brake spring hook will work

 

[max 02]

Spark plug!

 

[bp71k5]

If you are saving the rubber and the glass, You pry the rubber gasket up from inside to get it off the lip of fiberglass and work your way around until it’s free. Probably need several plastic levers like you use for removing bicycle tires.

Unless the rubber is really new, I’d just cut it out and replace the rubber with a new one.

 

[CK5]

If you are saving the rubber and the glass, You pry the rubber gasket up from inside to get it off the lip of fiberglass and work your way around until it’s free. Probably need several plastic levers like you use for removing bicycle tires.

Unless the rubber is really new, I’d just cut it out and replace the rubber with a new one.

So, to install just the reverse I guess?

 

[bp71k5]

So, to install just the reverse I guess?

sort of. You install the rubber around the glass and set it onto the opening. Then get some paracord or strong twine and lay it the channel that the fiberglass lip feeds into all the way around. Then while you press the glass down into the opening, you pull one end of the twine out perpendicular to the glass so it grabs the rubber end and folds it over the fiberglass lip. Will need some soapy water, and probably a second set of hands. Sounds way harder than it is when describing it in words. I’ve done in on my old VW glass and did my K5 windshield. Here’s a video sample:

 

[SKUBASTEVE1010]

I would recommend just cutting the rubber and replacing it when you put the glass back in. Order through https://www.prp.com/

 

[CK5]

I would recommend just cutting the rubber and replacing it when you put the glass back in. Order through https://www.prp.com/

Yeah, the rubber feels like metal now after about 50 years.