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Home >> BMW >> 2024 >> M3 Base, Standard Trans >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Accessories & Equipment >> Interior/Exterior Trim >> Body Equipment -- Repair (1 Of 2) -- M3 (G80) >> 51 31 Windshield, Rear Window >> Removing windows with an oscillating knife (M3 base, M3 Competition, M3 Competition M xDrive, M3 CS)

Removing windows with an oscillating knife (M3 base, M3 Competition, M3 Competition M xDrive, M3 CS)

WARNING: Follow SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS . Refer to for working on vehicles with airbag systems (risk of injury)
IMPORTANT: Handle sharp-edged tools with care (risk of damage to the head airbag and the window glass) 
IMPORTANT: Follow the vehicle-specific repair instructions! 

Always wear safety goggles and protective gloves for your own safety

Cover the working area (side walls, roof-mounted antenna and if necessary, interior equipment) with protective covers

Tape off body with fabric adhesive tape (e.g. Tesa) in areas where the oscillating knife could damage the window glass or the paint

Use suction cups (51 3 010) to lift out the window glass

Always keep both suction cups dry and clean to ensure optimum adhesion on the windshield

Secure window glass against falling out

G08511685Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Depending on the area of application, knife 1 or 2 is used 

  1. Straight knife with adjustable thrust roller
  2. U-shaped knife

    Dimension (X) on the knife (1) can be adjusted individually, see vehicle-specific repair instructions

    NOTE: Sharpen knife blade before every use on a running machine with a grinding stone (even with new knife blade)
G08511686Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Removing from the inside: 

Guide knife carefully between body and window glass

Run blade of knife parallel to glass

Take care not to damage paintwork

Cut through adhesive bead all the way around

Pull window glass outwards to remove

G08529190Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Removal from outside: 

Guide knife carefully between body and window glass

Run blade of knife parallel to glass

Take care not to damage paintwork

Cut through adhesive bead all the way around

Pull window glass outwards to remove

G08511688Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Cut through adhesive bead as closely as possible to window glass 

  1. Body aperture
  2. Adhesive bead
  3. Knife
  4. Window
    G08511689Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.