Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Windshield removal: If you're trying to save your glass, I don't recommend the method shown in the illustration. Do not use a wood block and screwdriver and push against the glass. There's problems with aged vs new. The gasket is not as pliable and the center divider section is sandwiched between two pieces of metal so receives much more heat and ages faster/becomes harder than the rest of the gasket.
Slowly work around the all the gasket and free the seal from the window and trim before attempting removal. The hardened center section won't give enough as shown and will cause to crack. Use a plastic L shaped trim removal tool and apply force only under the gasket and the body panel, not on the glass. If you're not saving the gasket, I'd suggest to just cut most of it off, first. Careful not to score the glass with knife. Glad I didn't follow procedure for the rear, it's curved.

I removed the front and rear windshields of a 50 Packard by cutting the gaskets from the outside. It worked easily, other than cutting 63 year rubber. Just take a good mat knife and a box of blades and push gently from the inside.

Agreed. If your gaskets are original, or very old (aka petrified), you are not going to be able to save them, and you'll end up breaking the glass trying to get them out whole. If applicable, you have to first remove the lock strip, then use a razor blade from the inside and cut the gasket lip where it sits over the pinch weld. Then you can remove old gasket and glass easily. That is how I removed the front and rear windshields from my '54.

Just have someone help you as you remove the windows. One person on the inside, one on the outside as needed.

Getting the windows out is actually much easier that putting the new ones in!