So, some schmuck smashed my rear windshield in order to get a bag full of old clothes bound for Goodwill. What an amazing score, right? I'm planning to replace the glass myself and would love some tips on the procedure. It looks like the glass is flat attached to a rubber gasket that is then attached to the car. I assume I can just take the glass off the gasket and glue the new glass on to it. Is that correct? If so, what kind of adhesive will I need to glue the glass on? Will this work? Also, when it comes to the defroster tabs, those look soldered on? Will a normal soldering iron and solder be able to remove/replace these? Is there a trick to getting them off the glass? Thanks!
I would leave it to the pros. How's your insurance? If you read Shop Manuals regarding window replacement, there are many, many pages, it's tricky, and the windshield is a structural component.
I agree with @Mendel Leisk that this may not be an ideal do-it-yourself job. Toyota writes in Collision Repair Information Bulletin #127, “Glass Replacement,” that “Proper stationary glass bonding procedures and materials are fundamental to occupant safety and are essential to restore the vehicle to OEM standards.” They also write, “Technicians performing glass installation should be trained and certified by an accredited organization.” The bulletin gives several other important guidelines. I’d urge careful study of Toyota’s Repair Manual and the literature for the adhesive-primer system before deciding to proceed on your own. The Repair Manual does have step-by-step procedures for removing and reinstalling the back door glass. Besides the glass itself, you’ll need several other non-reusable parts, including adhesive dams and clips, rear spoiler protectors, and rear spoiler seals. See the parts catalog: Figure 67-08, Back Door Panel & Glass Figure 76-01, Mudguard & Spoiler CRIB #127 and the Repair Manual are available by subscription to techinfo.toyota.com. The Repair Manual is also in the ChiltonLibrary service, to which your local public library might provide access at no charge. The Repair Manual calls for “Toyota Genuine Windshield Glass Adhesive or equivalent,” “primer G,” and “primer M.” An article from I-CAR notes, however, that the “primers are not available in the USA.” I’m not sure about the adhesive itself, but you need an adhesive and primer that are formulated to work together. 3M says a different product, their 3M Super Fast Urethane (08609), is an equivalent to Toyota’s adhesive (PDF); I’m not sure how it compares to the 3M 08693 you linked. The 08609 data sheet (PDF) says it must be used together with 3M Single Step Primer (08681 or 08682). Since there is no discussion of replacing the connectors in the Repair Manual, only of connecting them, I’d assume they come already attached to the replacement glass.
