Door glase replacement

Ron · 2016-11-28 16:57

The passenger door glass on my '57 Tudor Ranch Wagon needs replacing. I have the new glass ready to go, but am looking for some instructions/suggestions on how best to go about the task. I've removed the inner door handle, window crank, and upholstered door panel, so I've got a clear view of the project. Unsure if the wind wing has to come out, but suspect that it does. Anyway, if anyone knows the step-by-step procedure, or knows of some existing literature or video available for this task, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you. Many thanks, Ron...

p.s. Found some helpful instructions on P. 11-11 of my shop manual. Appears that the wind wing doesn't have to come out after all. Ron...

RICH MUISE · 2016-11-28 17:45

I think we just did a thread on this in the past few weeks or month that had some info in it.
Wing window does not have to come out, just unbolted from the bottom and top so it can be moved out of the way.

Ron · 2016-12-02 12:24

Well, got the job done yesterday. I followed the suggested procedure on page 11-11 in the '57 Shop manual and it went fairly smoothly. A couple things I learned along the way: first, the wind wing does not have to come out or even be unbolted; next, the window's "fuzzy" channel is all one piece that runs from the wind wing channel at the top of the door all the way across the top, makes the 90 degree turn at the top-right corner of the door (as seen from the inside of the car looking at the passenger door) and all the way down to the bottom of the door where it's held in place by a 3/8" nut that's easily accessible on the outside of the door. Unfortunately,in my case this "fuzzy" channel was in rough condition when I took it out and it's apparently not available after market, so I had to clean it up as best as possible and re-install it. Before I installed the new glass, I covered it with blue painter's tape to protect it from scratches during the install process. Glad I did because I could see on the tape where it had made contact in several spots even though I went as slow and careful as possible while lowering the glass back into position. Fortunately, the tape did its job and the new glass is scratch free and looking good. Now it's on to installing the sliding flat glass on the sides in the back (the car is a two-door wagon). I'm not the one who removed this glass, so I've got to first figure out the dance here, too. If anyone reading this has a two-door wagon, I hope you can PM me so I can hit you up for a couple of pictures along the way if needed. Thanks, Ron

RICH MUISE · 2016-12-02 14:33

"Unfortunately,in my case this "fuzzy" channel was in rough condition when I took it out and it's apparently not available after market, so I had to clean it up as best as possible and re-install it."

It is available. I did mine with length from Classic Auto Parts, but I remember others getting preformed from Concorse. Same as 2dr Customs

gasman826 · 2016-12-02 20:12

The flexible channel for the top and rear of the door that you bought, did it have the 'snaps' installed like the OEM piece? I have the universal flex channel and have not figured a way of attaching the snaps.

RICH MUISE · 2016-12-02 20:45

No, but the preformed ones do.
I had just epoxy glued the snaps/clips on. That will hold them for a one time installation, but they will pull off when you try to remove the channel like I did when I repainted my car. No biggie...just left the clips that did stay in the door in place and reapplied some epoxy glue when time came to reinstall. Clamped the channel in place until the glue set up. It's not that the glue won't hold...it's the thin rubber coating on the channel that tears off when you pull it out of the door.

Ron · 2016-12-02 23:11

Rich

Where do you get the pre-formed channels with the OEM snaps? I don't see them in the Carpenter's catalog. Thanks, Ron

Ford Blue blood · 2016-12-03 08:53

Quote from: gasman826 on 2016-12-02 20:12
The flexible channel for the top and rear of the door that you bought, did it have the 'snaps' installed like the OEM piece? I have the universal flex channel and have not figured a way of attaching the snaps.

The universal I used in my wagon had the bottom fuzzys that were removable. I pulled it out, used tiny flat headed screws to mount it and re-installed the fuzzy. Worked good and the screw heads never touched the glass.

RICH MUISE · 2016-12-03 09:11

Quote from: Ron on 2016-12-02 23:11
Rich

Where do you get the pre-formed channels with the OEM snaps? I don't see them in the Carpenter's catalog. Thanks, Ron

I remember threads long time ago where some recommended the premade becouse they fit so well. I think it was Concorse they were getting them from. I'll try and find that old thread. I remember because it was one of my first.

RICH MUISE · 2016-12-03 09:23

Found the thread:

http://57fordsforever.com/smf/index.php?topic=1405.0

It was 57chero that had recommended Concorse...he's still active here.

gasman826 · 2016-12-03 11:50

Just got off the phone with product support at MAC'S/ECKLERS, they have flex, lock side, window channel WITH snaps installed for 1957 Ford Ranch Wagon which means all the Custom, Ranchero, Courier and very likely the Fordor models.

http://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_mercury_late/front-door-glass-run-lock-side-ford-2-door-ranch-wagon.html

RICH MUISE · 2016-12-03 12:15

Wonder how that works...I'm assuming it's not a preformed, trimed to length, ready to install...at least they are not showing a ready to install piece in their pic, so who knows. If it's not pre formed, how did they locate for the clips? Just doesn't sound right to me.
Alsi, I looked at the Concorse online site and could not find a ready to install glass run. Maybe no longer available or a phone call needed? Thier flex channel is 20$ cheaper than the Mac's, but as mentioned, who knows what the Mac's actually is. I don't trust the phone sales people anywhere any more.

lalessi1 · 2016-12-03 13:08

I have had issues with Mac's. Bought an anti-rattle kit listed for a Custom but it was for a Fairlane. "We don't make that kit, call Dennis Carpenter".

hiball3985 · 2016-12-03 17:20

Macs has been screwed up ever since Eckler took over. What you order may not be what you get, I've been avoiding using them.

Ford Blue blood · 2016-12-04 09:00

I got my channel for the Ranchero from Carpenter along with the fuzzies. The channel has the clips but is straight as an arrow. The clips line up along the top perfect. Have not bent them yet as they are easier to store straight.

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Door glase replacement