Hatch glass removal and refitting?

**fammo** · 17-09-2015, 05:15 PM

Hi all,

I have a GTI hatch decal to fit which wasn't replaced when my baby got a respray years ago. I need to take out the rear hatch glass and refit it. Rubber looks like it's in reasonable condition.

An tips on how to get it out without breaking anything and getting it back in?

TIA!

1982 Mk1 Golf GTi

**Stanton** · 18-09-2015, 11:41 AM

Push it out with your feet.
Put it back in using cord .

**h100vw** · 18-09-2015, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by Stanton

Push it out with your feet.
Put it back in using cord .

That sounds a bit rough and to break a GTI rear screen would be tragic.

Here's how I did them and never had a failure.

Start at a bottom corner and peel back the rubber inside with a flat blade screwdriver or a paint scraper. Then tuck the edge of the rubber behind the lip of the hatch. Work your way all around the glass until it lifts out.

To fit, put the rubber on the glass and fit the top edge into the hatch first. Then peel in the rubber progressively down each side and round the bottom edge. Eventually it'll drop in and you can settle it in place by shoving it in by the rubber with the heel of your hand.

**fammo** · 18-09-2015, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by h100vw

That sounds a bit rough and to break a GTI rear screen would be tragic.

Here's how I did them and never had a failure.

Start at a bottom corner and peel back the rubber inside with a flat blade screwdriver or a paint scraper. Then tuck the edge of the rubber behind the lip of the hatch. Work your way all around the glass until it lifts out.

To fit, put the rubber on the glass and fit the top edge into the hatch first. Then peel in the rubber progressively down each side and round the bottom edge. Eventually it'll drop in and you can settle it in place by shoving it in by the rubber with the heel of your hand.

Sounds good and yes, I don't even want to start looking for another hatch glass!

Can you do it with hatch in place or do you need to remove the hatch?

1982 Mk1 Golf GTi

**h100vw** · 18-09-2015, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by fammo

Sounds good and yes, I don't even want to start looking for another hatch glass!

Can you do it with hatch in place or do you need to remove the hatch?

1982 Mk1 Golf GTi

Leave it on the car.

**Stanton** · 21-09-2015, 04:38 PM

Screwdriver ??????????????????????
You're game.
Ask an automotive glass fitter.

**h100vw** · 21-09-2015, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by Stanton

Screwdriver ??????????????????????
You're game.
Ask an automotive glass fitter.

Wrapped in tape, I didn't mention. The rubbers were welded to the paint in my day 20 years ago. So I expect them to be worse now. Breaking that grip would be pretty crucial I'd say.

Never broke one or damaged a seal, so I'd still use the same method.

Gavin

**fammo** · 28-09-2015, 09:43 AM

I'm trying the screwdriver/scraper technique but the seal keeps returning to the original position. How do you stop the rubber going back to sealed???

1982 Mk1 Golf GTi