Locked my keys, phone and wallet in the car today, in a hurry so decided to use the universal key

Now I have a side window (the little non-moving one in the back door) made of duck tape. Weight loss is awesome and I like that I can hear the exhaust note more clearly but I feel like I should probably replace it…

Question 1) I figured a small, nonmoving window was probably the cheapest option. Am I about to discover that actually it’s the hardest and most expensive one to replace? Slightly regretting not doing the boot window as the heated screen isn’t too good and I could have killed 2 birds with one brick

Question 2) Any recommendations for someone in the Edinburgh area? It’s not an insurance job, I don’t mind delivering tbh but mobile would be good too. Stick with a specialist or go to my nice local garage?

I’ve always thought the windscreen is the cheapest one to go for in that situation!

Could well be tbh but this way I’m happy enough still driving around til I fix it!

OTOH if I’d done a moving window I could have fitted a replacement myself easily enough, that doesn’t seem to be so simple with the permanent ones.

See if there’s some screws which hold the frame/separator in, they’re usually at the top of the door frame. Wind the drop glass all the way down, unscrew the screws (if you have them) and see how much movement there is on the separator.

On most cars you can take the rubber surround out, fit it to the replacement glass and (gently?) feed the lot back in.

It is doable at home . Read how to do it. Getting the up down window out can be difficult you just need to get the correct angle.
More importantly get out there with a good torch to make sure you’ve hoovered up all the glass. It goes everywhere.
What car is it?

U-pull-it @ inverkeithing and DIY?

Give me a shout if you need a hand. You would of been better doing a moving window, but if you get a new window, I can give you a hand to get it in. Depending on how it’s mounted, you may need an extra pair of hands to get it in.

That small window is probably the worst window to do (from a repair point of view).

rear window or winder window if you need to be able to drive the car, windscreen if you just need access.

If you do go to a glass fitter make sure you let them know it is cash rather than insurance. It’ll likely be a lot cheaper.

OK cheers folks- just removed the rest of the busted one and OK, removing broken things is easier than fitting new things but it was simpler than I expected- I thought it was all interference fitted in but the rear panels come off the door frame and it bolts in at the back. So I’m going to have a crack at fitting one myself. Not crack!

Glass clearing was made a bit easier by the big tarp I have lining the back, but it’d still gone everywhere, I’ll be finding it for years I think.

I did just spend 5 minutes looking at the different tints going “DAMN IT! If only I’d read the tint off the glass before I busted it”. Amazing how long it can take to remember that your car has 2 sides.

Amazing how long it can take to remember that your car has 2 sides.

😆

I’m still finding glass two years after doing the same thing!