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Thread: Rear hatch glass botton removal

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
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    Plymouth, MI
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    '97 Chevy Camaro, '89 Merkur XR4Ti

    Rear hatch glass botton removal

    Anyone know how to take out the rear hatch glass button? Like this guy did in this youtube video (https://youtu.be/LJkANW6eOQg).
    Using this guide (https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1958098-DIY-Attention-Sportwagon-owners-Rear-wiper-fix!), I got the 24mm nut out and removed the windshield wiper shaft but there seem to still be another shaft holding the switch onto the bracket on the other side of the window. I've stried hammering it out but don't want to break my glass so i want to know the correct way to do it.
    Last edited by ChronoGN; 11-23-2020 at 06:56 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
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    SV, IL
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    CRX 328is X5 528iT5sp 19
    I seem to recall there is a small set screw that needs to be removed. Then there is a triangular trim Pc that faces rear and up. Pull it straight out, it’s a Bit&?@


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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
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    Plymouth, MI
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    '97 Chevy Camaro, '89 Merkur XR4Ti
    Are you talking about the set screw that's holding the plastic piece? I already got that out. This is where I'm stuck on. I want to take the whole button assembly out since I'm pretty sure it's shorting on the inside of the damn thing. There seem to be a threaded pipe with a washer at the top holding this on but I can't figure out how to remove it since I don't want to force things and break the glass.
    20201123_173027.jpg
    Last edited by ChronoGN; 11-25-2020 at 04:41 PM.
    2001 BMW 525iT - Stock Daily Driver and Tow Rig
    2001.5 Audi S4 - Stage 3 Bi Turbo
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  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
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    SV, IL
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    268
    My Cars
    CRX 328is X5 528iT5sp 19
    I’ve been there but don’t recall the trick. I recall the challenge, however. Good luck!


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  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
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    Ca
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    2001 525it
    Well it’s not part of the glass I looked it up on reloem and the part is sold separately search 61 31 8 363 631 and see if images of the part help figure how to remove it

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Oakville, Ontario, Canada
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    336
    My Cars
    '03 525iAT
    I took mine apart a few months ago, very carefully. Apple Auto Glass guy said he was afraid he was going to break the glass. I replaced the entire rear hatch, and had to buy a new hatch release. The button that releases the glass portion is not working, nor is the rear defrost. Winter is coming. I don't mind losing the glass feature, but I need to dig into the defroster issue. So many wires, and I have the Bentley manuals. Sigh.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Don't use a hammer.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Plymouth, MI
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    '97 Chevy Camaro, '89 Merkur XR4Ti
    Ok, I give up. I went to the junkyard today and broke 2 of them.
    The washer and nut that attaches to the aluminum shaft gets corroded onto the aluminum and becomes pretty much impossible to remove. If you know about galvanic corrosion when steel and aluminum comes in direct contact, you know this is just a really bad design.
    If you really need to get them out, I can think of two ways to do it but you would end up destroying the aluminum piece. One way is to use muriatic acid to eat away at the aluminum. Another way is to take a drill to the aluminum shaft being careful not to go too deep and hit the glass.
    I'm just going to say screw it and disconnect the button and maybe install a new release button near the driver seat by hooking it up to pin 21 on plug connector X332 behind the glove box.
    2001 BMW 525iT - Stock Daily Driver and Tow Rig
    2001.5 Audi S4 - Stage 3 Bi Turbo
    My Blog of Cars, Guns, Computers, and other hobbies

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
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    Alexandria, VA
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    ‘01 540’00 528T’03 525T
    I’ve never had to do this exercise on any of my wagons, but couldn’t it also be carefully ground down, then order the parts new, install it with good anti seize to retard the galvanic corrosion from starting? One thing that I do need to do, change out the struts, had my glass open the other day, and it came down on my head when a breeze hit it.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Another easy way to replace it from a junkyard part, replace the whole glass window.
    Set the controls for the heart of the sun

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