2020 BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe
By Alfredo Calva
VIN #: WBA73AKOXL7G08354
1 Working on a rear right door glass replacement for a 2020 BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe can be challenging. It is definitely not a standard door glass replacement. Because it is frameless, precise adjustments are required to achieve a tight seal for a quite ride.
2 Start with a pre-inspection. There are many things to look for, such as scratches to the door panel, damage to the body of the vehicle, tape marks, mechanical or even electrical marks.
3 Remove the torx screw on the bottom left of the door panel.
4 Another torx screw to remove.
5 Remove the plastic cover behind the door handle to remove one more torx screw,
6 There is a hidden torx screw under the window switch.
7 Carefully ply off the door panel. I recommend using a plastic tool for this step to avoid any damage to the door panel or the body of the vehicle.
8 The top part of the door panel pulls off from the metal clips.
9 To remove the cable behind the door handle, ply off the tab that locks it in place.
10 Unplug this hard piece shown here to be able to remove the door panel completely.
11 Remove the inner rubber trim and the outer chrome trim. The inner trim has plastic clips at the end. Carefully pop them off. For the outer trim just ply up.
12 This is where the fun begins. Special tools are needed to remove the brackets that hold the glass in place. There are tools specially designed for this type of bracket.
13 This is one of the tools that I use to loosen up the back of the bracket. It’s actually designed to loosen up oil filters but it works great on this vehicle. Note: when working from the outside of the door loosen the bracket counter clockwise.
14 Loosen carefully to avoid damage to the inner plastic of the bracket.
15 Turn this plastic fastener counter clockwise a quarter of a turn to release the plastic panel.
16 Remove the torx screws around the plastic panel, except the ones holding the regulator and the speaker.
17 Now there is enough space to vacuum and to work inside the panel.
18 I highly recommend a vacuum kit for the hard-to-reach spaces.
19 Glass falls on the upper part of the frame where it’s hard to reach with a regular vacuum attachment. My kit helps me get every single piece of glass out easily.
20 It’s finally time to reinstall the door glass. Slide it through the top and reattach the brackets. It’s easier to use your hand to tighten them back on.
21 This is the other tool I use to finish the job. You might recognize it; it’s mostly used on classic cars but it works great on this vehicle, too.
22 I use the other side to reference the position of the glass.
23 Using a suction cup to align the glass makes it easy.
24 Once the adjustment is on point, tighten the bracket firmly and test the window going up and down.
25 Reinstall all the parts in reverse order.
26 Transfer the clips that stayed on the body onto the door panel. Install the door panel back on and put the screws back on. Vacuum the interior of the vehicle thoroughly and blow off air vents just in case. Do a post inspection and make sure all mechanisms are working properly, including the anti-pinch system. Re-initialize if necessary.
Alfredo Calva is the president of Alfredo’s Auto Glass in Corona, Calif. Please visit his YouTube channel, “Alfredo’s Auto Glass Repair Corona,” to watch a detailed video of this replacement.
alfredosautoglass@hotmail.com.
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