HELP Windshield trim removal 57 BelAir

[Heinz57]

Can someone give me some tips on how to remove the stainless trim that goes around the windshield and back glass on my 57 BelAir? I am doing a total restoration and want to remove the glass without breaking it, but I cant figure out how the trim comes off? It fits very tight and I dont want to bend it up. I have read where you need a small thin hook blade to go under and release clips? I tried but I dont seem to find any clips? Any advise will be appreciated.

[Oldcar_Mechanic]

Try the guys at chevytalk.com, they'll have the answer.

Ron

[MikeKy55]

57, the windshield trim comes off as follows. Remove the wiper bezels, look under the dash at the apex of the curve on each side and you will find a nut on the inside. Should take a 3/8ths socket (deep well). Once they are off, pull outward slightly and the moulding will come out from under the corner piece near the door. You can then slide the moulding outward and off the clips. The corners are held by a small screw on the front corner (seen only after the front lower mouldings are off) and one screw on the rear of the corner which is in the door jamb. Once those two are out, pull outward slightly and down. It will slip off the upper piece. Once it is off, there will be a screw in each upper piece down at the bottom where the corner moulding covers them. The upper two halves stay in the windshield gasket when you take the glass out. The gasket has a channel that the stainless fits into.

The rear is different. On each outside upper corner you will see a small 'L' shaped piece. On the inside there is a nut on the stud on the moulding. The upper and lower pieces that run across side to side have clips on the window opening pinch weld that stick up toward the stainless trim. You have to use a reveal moulding tool. The tool has a "T" shaped end and is very thin. You put the "T" end under the trim and hold the handle at about a 45º angle to the stainless. Slide it along and you will feel the clips. When you get to one hold a little pressure against the clip and then move the handle of the tool toward 90º. The clip will release the stainless. Don't expect the stainless to just pop off. You may have to go across a couple times until they are all loose. Once the stainless is off, you can push the glass out from the inside while rolling the inner flap on the gasket down toward the glass. If your replacing the gaskets, your golden. Just take a box knife and cut the rubber flap off the inside and lift the glass out.
The windshield comes out the same way once the stainless is off.

When you get ready to put it back let us know. We can walk you thru the install as well.

[Heinz57]

Thanks Mike, Glass removal is now complete with no bent trim or broken glass. Can you go over the installation with me so I can print it out and have it for later. Thanks a bunch for your help.

[Heinz57]

I am removing the stock steering column shaft from the stock steering box so I can remove the body from the frame. I am having trouble getting the shaft to seperate from the steering box. I removed all bolts and mount brackets and everything is loose. Is their some kind of retaining clip or something that you cant see that keeps the shaft from pulling out of the box? :confused:

[MikeKy55]

I'm doing this post first because it is time sensitive. Don't try to remove the shaft. Disconnect the box from the drag link and remove the three bolts that hold the box to the frame rail. Remove the box as an assy. The drag link will have a cotter pin thru the end. Remove it and then screw the adjuster out of the drag link. Move the drag link side to side and the cups that go on either side of the pitman arm ball will separate alowing the drag link to lift up off the ball. If you have the front end off or the motor out, the box will slide out from the front.

[MikeKy55]

I sent this PM, but thought someone else may want it as well.

Installing windshield and back glass trim.

On the windshield the top two pieces of stainless go into the rubber seal, after the gasket is on the glass. Once the glass is pulled in and your sure it is centered in the opening, start with the bottom of the top two pieces. The ends have a hole that a screw goes thru and into the pillar. Then install the two corner pieces. They slide up onto the upper pieces and set in against the pillar. The front end of the corners have a retainer that sticks out toward the front of the car. A screw goes in each of those as well. Once that is done, you install the lower two pieces. You have to be careful and slide each lower piece onto the lower trim clips that are screwed to the cowl. Be sure you put the center joint cover on before you slide the two pieces all the way in. Each of the lower pieces have a clip right in the apex of the curve. It has a stud that goes into a hole on the cowl. Before you put it into the hole, put a piece of strip caulk around the base of the stud so when it tightens down it will seal the hole. The nut for that clip goes on from under the dash. Now as you put the lower piece in place, be sure to take your time and guide it into the end of the corner piece you installed earlier. You will have to bow the moulding just a little to get it in. When you tighten the stud clip, it will help pull the corner pieces in tight against the car.

On the back glass, first put the moulding clips on the pinch weld around the opening. The set you buy comes with I think? 12 clips? I add 4 extra. One extra on each side right in the curve on the outer end of the lower moulding and one extra on either side of center at the bottom about 3 inches from center each way. The moulding if bad about trying to rise back out in those areas. Next put the rubber on the glass and pull it in the car. By pull it in, I mean you use a piece of small cord. Lay the cord down into the channel that goes over the pinch weld. Cross the two ends in the center inside and tape them against the glass. Have someone help by putting a little presure on the outside of the glass as you pull it in.Once it's in then the stainless goes on. There are two upper outer corner pieces (small L shape with a long stud on the back side). Put the upper piece across and once you satisfied it is centered, tap on it with the heal of your hand. NO HAMMERS here ;o). Tap it down except for the last two outer clips. Then put the bottom pieces on the same way all the while being sure the lower center joint cap is in place. Again tap it down into the clips except for the last one on each side where it goes up to the roof line. Then wrap strip caulk around the stud on the corner caps. Guide the corners onto the top and lower piece while pushing the little stud into the hole in the pinch weld on each side. You may want a helper inside start the little nut on the clip while you hold in on the corner piece. Once they are tight your done. One note, don't over tighten the corners. They WILL pull in and bow up on the ends. Then you buy two more.