1 piece rear window - how to cut out without breaking glass?

My tundra's rear window needs to be removed in order to replace the damaged C pillar. It's not a power window, and the border of the window is above the headliner. See photos.

I'm considering cutting it out from the outside, which would damage the rubber gasket attached to the window. This may be a major PITA. I haven't found any instructional vids on youtube on removing this type of glass without breaking it.

If anyone has suggestions please let me know.



This is the main thread on the truck: https://www.tundras.com/threads/just-bought-a-2008-salvage-title-tundra-how-about-some-advice-0.96367

 

Possibly. I think it will require a special tool, otherwise the risk is great to breaking the rear window. I'm going to give it my best shot without removing the window first after getting into it deeper.

 

Why not take it to a glass shop and let a professional do it ?

 

EDIT: LOOKING CLOSER AT YOUR PICS, I WOULD NOT USE THE PIANO WIRE. It appears it is installed inside a gasket, which is completely different removal/install than described below. There are several different gasket types. Yours could be sealed inside a gasket. Or I suspect that the gasket is one-sided and your window will be glued to the metal and a gasket glued on the exterior (can't tell without seeing the inside). If this is the case, once removed you'll most likely need a new gasket as well.

Take it to a glass shop. Pay the price. It will be WAY cheaper than a new window.

I believe this is how your back glass will need to be removed (Take it to a glass shop; mobile ones will come to you):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xL6awl_ykY



Original message:

I worked in a glass shop in high school through college. If it had glass in it, we did it (homes, comercial buildings, bulldozers, tractors, cars trucks, etc etc).

The way to remove it is to buy some piano wire. Take a wooden block or dowel rod/pin (something to make a handle) on each end to use for handles. Have 1 person in the truck, 1 person on the outside and pull the wire back an forth as if sawing. Saw the urethane seal with the wire. Until completed. Note, once it is free it will fall out so be prepared to catch it or it will explode into a million pieces if when it's edge hits another hard surface.

I'll see if I can find a video of it (will post if/when I find it.)

This is what I'm describing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBRjWpe2qH4