Replacing back glass on '75 Sovereign

[rickastream]

Hey Guys, just went thru 400 treads trying to get an idea on how to replace the window glass on the back of my 75. The question is how does the frame seperate from the trailer. I saw one thread that said the it should come lose after you swing it up to a horizonal. Is this the case or am I looking at drilling out bukoo rivits.... Thanks for any help!!! R

[azflycaster]

Just so we are on the same page. The glass has a frame around it and when closed sits inside a hole in the trailer. Do you want to remove the glass and frame from the hole or remove the glass from the frame? To remove the glass and frame you need to remove one screw from each arm, flip the frame 90 degrees or so up and the frame will slide down out of the hole. Be careful they can be heavy.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by rickastream

Hey Guys, just went thru 400 treads trying to get an idea on how to replace the window glass on the back of my 75. The question is how does the frame seperate from the trailer. I saw one thread that said the it should come lose after you swing it up to a horizonal. Is this the case or am I looking at drilling out bukoo rivits.... Thanks for any help!!! R

Do you have a 75 or a 76?

The lift arms are removed from the side of the window.

Then lift the window up to almost a vertical position.

The window (glass and sash) will drop out.

The hinge arrangemnt is a simple double "J".

Reverse the process, being very careful the you have "ALL" of the hinge halves engaged properly. Then lower the window.

Reattach the lift arms and your done.

Andy

[azflycaster]

Andy, thanks for putting words (glass and sash) to what I was trying to say!

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

Andy, thanks for putting words (glass and sash) to what I was trying to say!

Your welcome.

Andy

[Dakota's Mom]

Hi, Andy!

With the back window being so large/heavy, are there any tricks to reinstalling the window and avoid breaking the hinge? We have a 79 International and removed the back window to install new gaskets.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Dakota's Mom

Hi, Andy!

With the back window being so large/heavy, are there any tricks to reinstalling the window and avoid breaking the hinge? We have a 79 International and removed the back window to install new gaskets.

Hey Mom, from Dakota. AKA Susie.

Takes 2 people.

One on each end of the window.

Raise the window over your heads and engage the "double J hinge". The window should be not quite vertical with the hinge closest to your heads.

Make sure each end of the hinge is engaged.

Then, whoever is the strongest, must hit the center of the hinge to make sure that it is engaged as well.

Slowly, ever so slowly, start to lower the window.

Observe if the hinge is properly engaged from one end to the other. If so, slowly lower the window, making absolute positive, the hinge is properly engaged.

When your 100 percent certain, then simply lower the bottom part of the window towards yourselves.

At this point the window can be lowered all the way.

Attach the window "lift arms."

From the inside of the trailer, latch the window.

Make sure the latches are properly pulling the window in at the bottom. If not, then adjust the latches accordingly, so that it has a positive seal with the gasket.

When you have completed all of the above, a high five is in order, followed by a cool one, or so.

Enjoy.

Andy

[Dakota's Mom]

Thank you, Andy! We have a "third body" arriving this morning, so we can try this with a little more control! That whole thing about potentially breaking a hinge scares the heck out of me!

[Dakota's Mom]

Back window is in, thanks to Andy's wise words of instruction and a little manhandling! Now the next one in sequence doesn't want to come out , so rather than be too frustrated, DH is moving on to the next one and will come back to it.

All things in good time!

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Dakota's Mom

Back window is in, thanks to Andy's wise words of instruction and a little manhandling! Now the next one in sequence doesn't want to come out , so rather than be too frustrated, DH is moving on to the next one and will come back to it.

All things in good time!

All opening windows will come out.

Did you raise the window high enough?

Sometimes, they have to be almost vertical before the hinge will separate.

Glad you got past the huge hurdle, as the front and rear windows on your 79, are the most difficult.

After the rear window was installed, did you have a cool one, or just smile?

Andy

[Dakota's Mom]

Hi, Andy!

It's (streetside, back window) been wrangled every which way, including vertical. And still holding on for now. . .

We're hoping the front window might be a bit easier after the experience of the back!

Started my work day early so I could take a few minutes away from it to help out. So, it was only smiles - went out for $1/scoop Tuesday at Baskin Robbins after work, though!

Thank you, so much, for sharing your knowledge! Don't know what we'd do without you!

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Dakota's Mom

Hi, Andy!

It's (streetside, back window) been wrangled every which way, including vertical. And still holding on for now. . .

We're hoping the front window might be a bit easier after the experience of the back!

Started my work day early so I could take a few minutes away from it to help out. So, it was only smiles - went out for $1/scoop Tuesday at Baskin Robbins after work, though!

Thank you, so much, for sharing your knowledge! Don't know what we'd do without you!

Susie.

The front window will offer the same challenges as the rear window, so just be patient and it will end up like the rear window, all done.

I don't have an answer as to why the one side window is being a brat.

I would suggest that you open that window about parallel with the ground and replace the gasket that way. If by chance it did come off, you may not be able to get it back in the hinge.

It will be a pain in the neck, "really" since you will have to bend and twist your neck.

Keep up the good work, Your getting it done.

Two things Airstream owners learn how to do when they attempt some repairs.

They learn new "bad" words.

They learn how to drink beer in a more professional way, just in case they didn't already know.

Andy

Andy

[Dakota's Dad]

Andy,

yes sir, that one window will not come out. All the others have been ok coming out and easy to get back in, minus the rear, but I am guessing that is "standard" for the front and back based on your comments.

I gave up drinking beer like a pro.. switched to bourbon.

We may try to change that one seal in place, but I don't know, that may be a skill I don't want.

it's a frog drowner here right now, so no window work this morning.

Thanks for your help and all the info you share here on the forums,

Mark

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Dakota's Dad

Andy,

I gave up drinking beer like a pro.. switched to bourbon.

Mark

Bigger kick, in a smaller bottle.

Andy