getting windows to go back in

[Chriswcb]

Just started working on my first vintage airstream. It is a 1970 overlander. I am having a tough time getting the window over the sink to go back in after i put new weather stripping in. I popped 2 rivets trying. Any tips or advice

[Silverflames]

Yea this is a two to three man job. The center has to be pressed in first, then the sides. There is lots of posts on this issue..

[riskstl]

I had the same problem replacing all the windows. Popped a few rivets myself. If you are working alone here's something that worked for me. Purchase a bottle of anti-seize paste. Brush on both tracks. Use plenty. It's cheaper than rivets. Apply pressure in the middle, and gently work one track into the other. Buy the time I got to windows four five and six I seriously consider changing careers as a AS window installer. I hope this makes it easier for the next install.

[Silverflames]

Originally Posted by riskstl

I had the same problem replacing all the windows. Popped a few rivets myself. If you are working alone here's something that worked for me. Purchase a bottle of anti-seize paste. Brush on both tracks. Use plenty. It's cheaper than rivets. Apply pressure in the middle, and gently work one track into the other. Buy the time I got to windows four five and six I seriously consider changing careers as a AS window installer. I hope this makes it easier for the next install.

I would pay you!!

[riskstl]

I'm not cheap!

[Belegedhel]

This may sound funny, but I found that if I was standing on a short step ladder, and literally used my head to support the window while manipulating the hinge with both hands, that I could work even the most obstinate window into place. I found the ones in the front center, and back center to be painful, just because of their length, but one or two of the ones on the side were painful as well. If you are having trouble with one, put it down and do something else until your shoulder muscles have recovered--don't get impatient or you risk popping rivets or bending the hinge halves, which might make getting it together that much more difficult.

good luck!

[MrJim]

We had the same problem. Popped ALL the rivets on our rear window, and had to have our dealer replace them and put the window back in.

Since, I found it VERY helpful to remove the small hatch behind the refrigerator next to the entry door on our '71 Safari and study how its much smaller but otherwise similar door hinge worked. It also helped a lot to REALLY clean out, and then lube the slot into which the door had to be reinserted.

That said, our newbie plan for the future is never to open a window far enough for this to be a problem again.