How to Remove a Car Window

Your car windows allow you to see out of your car, while still protecting you from the elements. These windows are made from safety glass, designed to break apart into small fragments in the event of a crash. Regardless of whether your windows are manual or electric, they are raised and lowered by a device called a regulator. This regulator is connected to an electric motor or a hand crank. Removing a car window for repair or replacement is something that you can do yourself at home.

• 1

  Park the car where you want to remove the window in a location that gives you enough room to work comfortably with the door open. Park in a garage or carport if there is a chance of inclement weather while you have the window removed. Open the door.

• 2

  Remove the door lock, if possible, and any decorative pieces mounted to the door. Remove the arm rest. These are usually held in place by Phillips screws on the underside of the rest. Pull the armrest off the door and set it aside.

• 3

  Remove the door panel. How this is done depends on your car model. There may plastic screws holding the panel in place. These are sometimes concealed by plastic caps. Look for these around the perimeter of the door and remove them, if present. Wedge a door panel removal tool underneath the panel. Gently press forward on the tool until the door panel begins popping out of the door frame. Work your way all around the panel until it is removed.

• 4

  Disconnect any electrical connections to the panel by pulling the wiring harness out of the sockets. Set the panel aside.

• 5

  Disconnect the window from the window regulator. The regulator is the device that raises and lowers the window and looks somewhat like an accordion. The window connects to the top of the regulator with a series of screws. Loosen and remove the screws.

• 6

  Remove the window by pulling it forward and off of the regulator. Slide the window down and pull it out of the door.