Kevin Mackay's stunning See-Thru...
Kevin Mackay's stunning See-Thru Corvette creation shows the inner workings of the door-glass mechanism. Two bolts attach the lower side of the window to the horizontal sash.
Glass is often the last thing on a Corvette owner's mind. Unless there's breakage, a crack, or a major chip, even though glass is in sight, it's out of mind. However, wear and tear from the road can deteriorate the surface of automotive glass. This generally happens so slowly, like cataracts, that the diminishing clarity is seldom noticed.
During a strip and paint several years ago, a friend chided me so severely about the condition of my windshield that I replaced it. There were no stone chips or wiper marks, but the surface of the glass had thousands of tiny pits, undoubtedly from the sand blasting endured over thousands of miles of Texas and Florida driving. Facing a low-hanging sun or headlights, it was almost as bad as looking through a soapy shower curtain. After installing the new windshield, I saw how dramatically it improved the driving experience. It was like a new car again.
The sad shape of this glass...
The sad shape of this glass screams for replacement. The vertical scratches were caused by sand caught in the weatherstrip or anti-rattle plates, which can mar the glass when it moves up or down. The circular marks are from a sander that must have slipped during bodywork or a repaint. Raise the window to inspect how it fits to the weatherstrip at front, top, and rear.
Side glass can suffer a similar slow deterioration. Although less prone to sand pitting, it has additional wear problems from sliding over weatherstrip and anti-rattle plates every time it moves up or down. And on earlier Corvettes, chipping at the top corners is a common problem.
Fortunately, a number of options are now available for replacement door glass. The least expensive is replacement glass without any markings. The mid-priced option sports the rather prominent Astro Ventilation logo. For a little more money still, the proper date code can be etched on the lower rear of the glass.
Follow along as we go step-by-step through door-glass replacement. Even if your door glass is still fine, you'll see where adjustments can be made to help the glass seal properly against the weatherstrip. Proper adjustment and cleaning the channels and sliders for smooth, silky operation helps prevent costly window-regulator failure down the road.
| Parts Needed |
| GL-302 |
Door glass; with logo, 1973 Convertible, tinted, R (passenger side) |
| Ancillary Parts |
| DR-655 |
'68-'82 Door Window Glass Flat Nut |
| DR-410 |
'69-'96 Door Glass Window Anti-Rattle Bumper |
| DR-602 |
'69-'77 Window Track & Glass Mount Kit |
| DR-656 |
'68-'82 Door Glass Front Track Stop |
| DR-462 |
'68-'82 Window Glass Rubber Washers |
| DR-601 |
'68-'82 Door Glass Slotted Washer |
| ZDR-410A |
'69-'96 Door Glass Anti-Rattle Mount Bolt (Metric) |
| TL-138 |
'68-'82 Side Window Glass Nut Tool |
| Door/Door Panel |
| I-1172 |
'68-'77 Door Panel/T-top Panel Velcro Fastener (Oval) |
| SF-674 |
'68-'77 Door Panel Mount Kit |
| WS-723 |
'69-'82 Door Panel Inner Window Seals |
| WS-718 |
'69-'75 Convertible Door Main Weatherstrip (R) |
| DR-600 |
'68-'82 RH Door Lock Rod Clip Kit |
| WS-722 |
'69-'75 Convertible Door Win-dow Outer Seals (Replacement) |
Remove the door-panel attachment...
Remove the door-panel attachment screws. The door pull has two hidden machine screws. Use a long No. 2 Phillips with a good tip and hold it squarely to the screw head-you don't want to strip the head on either of these. The remaining four attachment screws are located at the door panel's corners.
Remove the spring clip from...
Remove the spring clip from the door-lock knob. Pry the door panel back for better access and then use a door-handle-removal tool or a small screwdriver to push the clip. Do the same for the window-crank handle, if so equipped. Remove the door handle.
Use a broad, flat tool to...
Use a broad, flat tool to gently pry apart the door panel's five Velcro plastic snaps. Pop the lower metal clips out of the door. Lower the window and remove the door panel. Remove the plastic moisture barrier.