Removing Smoked Plexiglass Window Shields

[Lee Davis]

Long story made shorter.

After noticing a window leak I looked under the carpet where I had the couch out to get recovered and now am fixing a 2x5 soft spot in the floor under the front port window. So, in sealing the window I decided I ought to take off the smoked plexiglass windoww protectors. They have hinges on the side a big screw holding each one up in the front through a rubber gasket. I figured, no sweat, take out the screw and lift them off the hinges. WRONG!. They did not slide off the hinges easily as I expected, in fact, one of the hinge pins was down slightly about 1/2 inch out of the hinge on the bottom. So, after rigging up a bungee cord arrangement to keep the shields extended and the weight supported while the Vulkem is setting up, my AS now looks like a giant silver bird with small wings trying to get off the ground. I hope we don't have strong winds tonight or it may be gone in the morning.

So, the question is how does one remove those panels? I didn't want to drive the hinge pins out the top or bottom without checking with the experts on this forum. In trying to drive the hinge pin that was extended back up into the hinge, it was pretty reluctant to go back in more than 1/4 inch, leaving 1/4 inch still showing. I used to think the answer to every problem was finding the right size hammer, but as I have gotten older I am learning to ask a few questions first (although that hammer option occasionally still surfaces too soon).

Anyway, some help here would be good. My wife has hidden the hammers.

Thanks

[Bradjun1]

Mine are removed by just pushing up on the bottom of the stone guard frame. They do not come easily but they do slide up. I try to excert the pressure right under the hinge. You might try some WD 40 and swinging the hinges open and closed several times. Good luck

[desi arnaz]

big hammer~

[Mike Lewis]

Lee-- i just replaced one on mine a couple days ago. It's pretty straight forward. Turn the 2 slotted head screws 1/2 turn like you describe, swing the window out and lift it off the hinge pins. The hing pin is steel and goes through a aluminum hole. They tend to corrode so a little lube may be ness. wd40 should help. I had to put a little upward pressure on the window and work it back in forth to get it up off the pins. By the way if you break it it's about $200.00. ----pieman

[Lee Davis]

Great tip guys. I put a little liquid graphite on the top of the hinge pin last night wiglled them a little and today with a little more wiggling the plexigalss shields came off easily.

Didn't even have to get out the hammer!

Thanks