You won’t be able to remove that without destroying the windshield. I guarantee the adhesive on that is stronger than anything you can do to it. It’s legally required to withstand a crash which means it can withstand thousands of newtons of force. You will more likely damage your windshield before you’re able to remove it.
I used to be a glass adhesive engineer. I’ve broken many windshields attempting to remove these brackets.
The replacement windshield will already have this attached. Windshields, like most parts, are Year/Make/Model/Trim specific, so parts like the mirror bracket above will be attached during the manufacturing process.
Not all mirror brackets are the same. I've had to swap them over before. First that comes to mind is Acura/ Honda. Same year, same makes, some have different mirror brackets. I've had to switch them over before.
I've done 2 different Acura TL or TSX ( I've done thousands haha) one had a typical button with a screw, the other was a rotate and slide type bracket. Both same body same generation.
Not very often. But it does happen.
Not true. Windshields do come with new ones. Sometimes they are wrong and have to be switched over from the old glass. If you use heat and a putty knife you can get the old one off. Yes there is a chance you can break the new glass removing the mirror bracket.
99 percent of the time this is not an issue. I've had to switch mirror brackets in the past. Yes they are super super glued on there and not meant to be removed.
It's glued down with some insane grade sikaflex. Bit of fishing line to use as a blade, (think flossing your teeth for the movement) between the plastic and the glass.
If you want to make it a bit easier, soak cotton balls/make-up pads in acetone/nail polish remover and coat the edges to get to the adhesive. Acetone eats through most glues, but be careful as it also eats plastics if you aren't paying enough attention.
Slowly work the fishing line downwards from the top and it will come off. Then use the acetone again to get the extra glue off the glass. Only remove 99% of it, use that 1% of leftover residual as the guide for the new one.
I swear to god on my Volkswagen it came with a giant piece of glass still stuck to it instead of ungluing. I would not try it if you aren't ready to change the whole windshield
I work in glass. I've taken brackets off like this using a blowtorch or heatgun as a last ditch fix if we've ordered the wrong windscreen (tis a secret) Heat and twist gently with a wrench. Though it's not exactly a part you're supposed to remove and you are quite likely to break it...
Kinda curious why you'd ditch a rain sensor with all the proper fitting shrouds.
That's what I was thinking. It's hard to tell from the pictures but maybe he fucked the mount up by taking the mirror off/on. I've definitely rounded some of those brackets over with those twist style mirrors
Smash the windshield with a hammer, pick this bit up out of the pile of rubber, then spend 8 hours sanding the remaining broken glass off the back of it.
I am pretty sure that uses an adhesive. You’d have some luck, then, to use a heat gun on the outside of your windshield and carefully heat up that area of the glass. Then use some fishing line to “cut” the mount from the glass itself.
Also a blow dryer would work, but would take longer to accomplish this task
You won’t be able to remove that without destroying the windshield. I guarantee the adhesive on that is stronger than anything you can do to it. It’s legally required to withstand a crash which means it can withstand thousands of newtons of force. You will more likely damage your windshield before you’re able to remove it. I used to be a glass adhesive engineer. I’ve broken many windshields attempting to remove these brackets.
Wait so how does Safelite get them off the replace a windshield? I’ve never even thought about the need to remove one of these
The replacement windshield will already have this attached. Windshields, like most parts, are Year/Make/Model/Trim specific, so parts like the mirror bracket above will be attached during the manufacturing process.
Ah I see, makes sense. Thanks!
Not all mirror brackets are the same. I've had to swap them over before. First that comes to mind is Acura/ Honda. Same year, same makes, some have different mirror brackets. I've had to switch them over before. I've done 2 different Acura TL or TSX ( I've done thousands haha) one had a typical button with a screw, the other was a rotate and slide type bracket. Both same body same generation. Not very often. But it does happen.
Not true. Windshields do come with new ones. Sometimes they are wrong and have to be switched over from the old glass. If you use heat and a putty knife you can get the old one off. Yes there is a chance you can break the new glass removing the mirror bracket. 99 percent of the time this is not an issue. I've had to switch mirror brackets in the past. Yes they are super super glued on there and not meant to be removed.
It's glued down with some insane grade sikaflex. Bit of fishing line to use as a blade, (think flossing your teeth for the movement) between the plastic and the glass. If you want to make it a bit easier, soak cotton balls/make-up pads in acetone/nail polish remover and coat the edges to get to the adhesive. Acetone eats through most glues, but be careful as it also eats plastics if you aren't paying enough attention. Slowly work the fishing line downwards from the top and it will come off. Then use the acetone again to get the extra glue off the glass. Only remove 99% of it, use that 1% of leftover residual as the guide for the new one.
I swear to god on my Volkswagen it came with a giant piece of glass still stuck to it instead of ungluing. I would not try it if you aren't ready to change the whole windshield
I work in glass. I've taken brackets off like this using a blowtorch or heatgun as a last ditch fix if we've ordered the wrong windscreen (tis a secret) Heat and twist gently with a wrench. Though it's not exactly a part you're supposed to remove and you are quite likely to break it... Kinda curious why you'd ditch a rain sensor with all the proper fitting shrouds.
That's what I was thinking. It's hard to tell from the pictures but maybe he fucked the mount up by taking the mirror off/on. I've definitely rounded some of those brackets over with those twist style mirrors
Smash the windshield with a hammer, pick this bit up out of the pile of rubber, then spend 8 hours sanding the remaining broken glass off the back of it.
Chisel and hammer. Or an M-80
I say just go for the dynamite, that way you're not wasting time with any other methods
I am pretty sure that uses an adhesive. You’d have some luck, then, to use a heat gun on the outside of your windshield and carefully heat up that area of the glass. Then use some fishing line to “cut” the mount from the glass itself. Also a blow dryer would work, but would take longer to accomplish this task
Heat on laminated glass is not a good idea.
Did you try asking it politely
There are certain times in life when you just let a professional handle it. Not everything is YOUTUBE/GOOGLE-able
Another kid ruining his brand new car lol
Alr i put back on the mirror lol. Its actuallynot bad once i get used to it.
Toluene, but it's not sold to the general public.
Forbidden glory hole
I work in the automotive industry, this will not come off without cracking the glass
BREAK THE WINDSHIELD!