Removing My Crack

Finally got to removing the FX16 windscreen. If you recall, it started leaking and then I created a crack removing the trim. Got this tool a little while ago, but the snowboard trip happened, and the annoying cough. By all accounts, this is the way to go, forget the wire saw that they sell at all the local parts stores. Dug up some internet videos of various windshield removals, and barring the hi-tech inductive heater remover, this tool seems the best.

Looked pretty straightforward, so it was time to go for it. Insert blade in gap, then rotate and work the tip through the sealant/urethane. Once the blade is through, grab the main handle with one hand, then the handle at the end of the wire with other hand, and then pull to cut through the sealant. Ooops. Here’s a tip, get the blade in as close to the body, and as far away from the glass as possible. While pulling the blade, apply downward pressure on main handle to keep blade and tip away from glass. Unfortunately learned this right at the begining trying to start the blade. Made another crack here.

Oh well, this was practice anyway. The remaining top and sides went pretty easily using the tool with this method. The bottom corners were a little tricky.

Another tip, avoid trying to pry up on an edge from outside. I did this and the two cracks immediately shot across the glass.

Once the bottom corners were cut, I worked on the bottom edge. Luckily the edge was accessable with this same tool. I saw that there is a different long handle tool used to cut the bottom seal from inside, but it was not needed here. Yay! Pushed the screen out from inside, voila it’s out. Dang it’s heavy!

With this experience under my belt now, I have to decide what to do. Do I feel confident that I can remove the good windscreen from the scrap FX16 without cracking it? I think so, but to physically lift it out of place, I will want another set of hands. And installation? I’m pretty sure I’m going to call in a pro for that. I see that many of them use a suction cup and frame work device to position the glass, without that it’d be a challenge for us guys to get it in the right position without having to slide it around and squishing the sealant around. So yeah, I’m gonna pay someone to do that.

Before that though, next up will be tackling the body work around the frame. There’s an amount of rust developed under where the sealant was. I think this came at a good time, the rust appears to be at the point where it’s not too severe and should be taken care of now. Stay tuned!