2020 Mercedes Benz G-Wagon Windshield Replacement
By Alfredo Calva
DOT #904
1 The windshield replacement on this legendary 2020 Mercedes Benz G-Wagon, might be a bit intimidating but in reality, it’s not that difficult. Attention to detail and patience will make the installation fairly easy.
2 Start by performing a pre-inspection of the vehicle’s interior and exterior. Pre-scan for codes since recalibration is required after replacement. Not only does it look professional, but it’s comforting for the customers to know how well you take care of their vehicle.
3 I like to remove the interior parts first to confirm that the brackets are identical since there are now many different options available for every vehicle. Remove the cover behind the rearview mirror by plying it off.
4 After separating the cover off the bracket there’s more space to work the upper part of the cover. To separate, push down on the tab of the upper part of the cover with a peck tool or with your fingernail and pull it apart. Repeat the process on the left side.
5 To remove the upper cover completely, remove the black piece by squeezing the center part of it and slide it down. Picture #7 shows what it looks like.
6 This black piece has to be separated from the lower cover to remove it completely. Squeeze both ends and slide it off.
7 This is what it looks like once it’s off from both covers. I installed it on the upper cover so it is ready for installation after the replacement is complete.
8 Remove the rain sensor. Push down on the metal bracket and unclip it with a peck tool.
9 To remove the camera, undo the upper metal clips by pulling them up, then slide the camera up. To reinstall the camera, the metal clips must be reinstalled prior to sliding the camera back into the bracket.
10 Unplug the heater connector.
11 To unplug the heater wire, remove the side pillar cover. Ply off from the top, not the bottom to save the plastic cover. Unscrew the torque screw and unclip two clips near the pinchweld and remove the pillar cover.
12 Unplug the windshield heater connector, located under the A pillar cover.
13 It is now time to remove the glass. I recommend using a cut-out tool that uses fiber line to prevent any damage to the body of the vehicle. Since there is very little space between the glass and the body, I protect the body with plastic to prevent poking the body when penetrating the fiber line through the urethane.
14 When cutting through the center top, the pinchweld comes down about ½ inch. Keep the fiber line behind the pinchweld to avoid ripping the fiber line or cutting into the pinchweld.
15 When prepping the pinchweld there is no room for mistakes as everything will show. In installs like this, I have a razor-sharp blade to cut out the urethane as easily and cleanly as possible.
16 Prepping the glass is as important as prepping the pinchweld. This windshield is equipped with heating elements, and prepping above and below the wires is necessary to avoid bonding failures. I apply urethane under the wires. Always follow your adhesive manufacturer’s instructions.
17 To reinstall the camera, align it and slide it down until it clicks back on. Reinstall the rain sensor and plug in the heating connector.
18 Reinstall the lower cover back on by pushing it into the bracket.
19 Reinstall the upper cover, align the black center piece, and put it through the lower cover. Then push the upper cover to the lower cover until it sits flush.
20 Plug the heating connectors under the side pillar covers and when reinstalling them back on, remove the door rubber seal. This is so you can see the clips that go onto the pinchweld.
21 To finalize a safe windshield replacement, a recalibration is required to return the vehicle and get it back on the road.
Alfredo Calva is the president of Alfredo’s Auto Glass in Corona, Calif.
alfredosautoglass@hotmail.com.
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