Windshield, Removing And Installing: Removing

-- Remove the drip rail. Refer to DRIP RAIL, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the windshield wiper arms. Refer to WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM .

-- Remove the plenum chamber cover. Refer to PLENUM CHAMBER COVER, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- If equipped, disconnect the connector -1- and free up the wiring harness -2-.

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-- Pry out the lock washer -5-.

-- Remove the heating element -4- from the threaded pins and secure it to the windshield -3- with adhesive tape.

-- Remove the sun visor. Refer to EXTRA EQUIPMENT .

-- Remove the front interior lamp/reading lamp. Refer to CONTROLS .

-- Remove the front roof grab handle. Refer to EXTRA EQUIPMENT .

-- Remove the interior rearview mirror. Refer to INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR .

-- Remove the driver assistance systems front camera. Refer to DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS FRONT CAMERA .

-- Remove the rain/light recognition sensor. Refer to WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM .

-- Remove the A-pillar trim panel. Refer to VEHICLE INTERIOR TRIM PANELS .

-- Unroll approximately 6.5 meters of cutting wire (approximately six turns) with the Cutting Tool for Bonded Windows - Wire Reel: VAS 6452/1  and cut it.

-- To prevent any damage, cover the area where the awl comes out at the bottom of the body flange with adhesive tape -3-.

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-- Working from the inside outward, pierce the adhesive bead in this area using the awl -2-.

-- Thread both cutting wire ends -1- into the awl and pull it toward the inside.

-- Place the cutting wire all the way around under the windshield.

• The wire ends must not be twisted on the adhesive bead pass-through -arrow-.

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-- Mount both reel devices on the inside of the windshield as shown.

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-- Insert the cutting wire end -1- into the reel device -2-.

Fig 1: Inserting Cutting Wire End Into Reel Device

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-- Tension the cutting wire with the reel device -1- and push the protective film -2- between the instrument panel and the wire.

Fig 2: Placing Protective Film Between Instrument Panel And Cutting Wire

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-- Cut free the first section, while doing this, the wire is guided into the integrated idler roller -arrow- from the reel device.

Fig 3: Cutting First Section Open

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-- Insert an additional guide awl -2- into the adhesive bead and secure it to the windshield with the suction cup to make sure that the wire runs as close to the windshield as possible.

Fig 4: Additional Guide AWL, Protective Film And Reel Device

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-- If necessary, move the protective film -3- along with the wire and cut the window glass free with the reel device -1-.

-- Cut free the area on the A-pillar.

Fig 5: Cutting A-Pillar Section

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-- Move the reel device and guide awl as shown, up to approximately the center of the windshield.

Fig 6: Cutting Window Glass Free Up To Center Of Glass

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-- Cut the window glass free up to the center of the glass.

-- Use the second reel device to cut the lower section of the window glass free.

Fig 7: Cutting Lower Section Of Window Glass Using Second Reel Device

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-- Move the reel device upward as shown and insert the guide awl.

Fig 8: Moving Reel Device Upward And Insert Guide Awl

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-- Cut the window glass out by moving upward along the A-pillar.

Fig 9: Cutting Upward Along A-Pillar Windshield

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-- Move the reel device over the center of the window and in the first reel device as shown.

Fig 10: Cutting Along Top Of Windshield

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-- Cut free the windshield at the upper edge.

-- Remove the windshield from the vehicle with two suction lifters.