Drivers rear door window replacement

Tiny
GARRETT KOPKA
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 122,000 MILES
I know there is a 2008 window replacement post already, but was curious if the difference in year would effect replacement. I came out to my window shattered for no obvious reason. Need to replace it asap. It's cold.
Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 5:47 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
I don't see any reference to a power window for the sliding doors, so these instructions should apply.

When the glass is cracked, but still in place, most professionals use a piece of piano wire to saw through the rubber glue. Since your glass is already mostly gone, you should be able to remove enough of the glue with a razor knife. Please be careful and take your time.

The best place to get a replacement is from a salvage yard, but for this type of miserable job, go to one where they take the replacement out of the donor vehicle for you. Inspect it for chips around the inside edge where they might have damaged it with that piano wire. Chips can leave a weak spot that can cause it to shatter on a really hot or cold day.

Sorry for the confusion. I made the writing larger in the second drawing to be easier to read, but I can't delete the first one.
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 7:36 PM
Tiny
GARRETT KOPKA
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Awesome, sounds pretty straight forward then! Ill see what I can find for a replacement tomorrow!
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 7:43 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
I assume you mean the glass for the sliding door? If so, I have attached it below. Please let me know if you need something else. Thanks
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 7:45 PM
Tiny
GARRETT KOPKA
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  • 8 POSTS
Thank you! Is there anything one should be worried about with removing the interior trim?
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 8:03 PM
Tiny
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If you see what look like the flat head of a plastic rivet, carefully pry them up, then pull them at least part of the way out. The stem goes into another piece with four fingers that expand to lock them in place. Sliding that "plastic nail" partway out lets the fingers relax so it can be pulled out. To reinstall them, push the black four-fingered plastic piece in with the nail partly installed, then just push the nail in all the way to lock it in place.

Often there's Philips screws holding the panel on, and there's a little cover over the screw's hole. There will be a very tiny hole in that cap to stick a small pick into to pop that cap off.

I don't think this applies here, but sometimes you'll run into what I call "feather fasteners". I think the correct name is "fender plug" or "fender retainer". They look somewhat like a giant plastic nail, but they have multiple barbs all the way around. There's special forked tools to pry those out. I use a side cutter for electrical wire, with a soft touch so I don't accidentally cut them. It's common for the heads to pull through whatever it is they're holding on. Most of the time you can get them out later and reattach them to the panel. These photos show the fastener and one version of the removal tool.
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 8:42 PM
Tiny
GARRETT KOPKA
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Thank you kindly Sir!
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 9:09 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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Surely! Please keep us updated on your progress.
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 2:04 PM
Tiny
GARRETT KOPKA
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Going to attempt the replacement today, got the window from a salvage yard on thursday, so we will see how it goes. Will post any questions or concerns. Thank you!
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Sunday, January 3rd, 2021 AT 11:19 AM
Tiny
GARRETT KOPKA
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The only thing I really need to buy is the butyl tape correct? I have screwdrivers and what not.
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Sunday, January 3rd, 2021 AT 11:48 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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I've only done a few of these some years ago. The dealer's parts department provided me with the sealant in a tube used in a caulking gun.
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Sunday, January 3rd, 2021 AT 2:15 PM
Tiny
GARRETT KOPKA
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Alright, do you know any info on removing the door trim?
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Sunday, January 3rd, 2021 AT 3:13 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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This is what I found for the sliding door.
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Sunday, January 3rd, 2021 AT 5:12 PM
Tiny
GARRETT KOPKA
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Sounds good, we got it out and in. Seems to be alright! Thank you for all the help.
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Sunday, January 3rd, 2021 AT 6:02 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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Dandy. I knew you could do it. Please come back to see us again.
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Sunday, January 3rd, 2021 AT 6:26 PM

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