2022 Land Rover Defender
By Alfredo Calva
Vin #: SALE3ERU1N2066206
1 The 2022 Land Rover Defender is fun and easy to work on, two qualities we are not used to seeing from Land Rover. We will replace the windshield and perform a dynamic recalibration.
2 Start the installation with a pre-inspection and pre-scan. Protect the vehicle. These three steps are crucial for a successful installation. Also, inspect the new windshield to ensure it’s the same glass as what’s on the vehicle. Nowadays, there are many different auto glass options for the same car.
3 Remove the camera cover by prying it off from the top and work your way around.
4 I use a plastic tool to dismount the camera by pushing it up and releasing it from the bracket.
5 Now, I start working under the hood. Yes! As you see in the picture, it actually says to remove it first. Start by removing it first.
6 Remove these clips by unscrewing them by hand like regular screws.
7 After removing the upper cover, you will find one more clip underneath that has to be removed.
8 Remove the 10-mm bolt in the center of the cowling.
9 Disconnect both windshield-wiper fluid hoses.
10 Next, remove the wipers. I highly recommend using a wiper puller since it’s tough to remove them by hand.
11 To remove the side mouldings, begin with the lower cover, starting from the outside.
12 Once you remove the cover, remove the Torx screw as well.
13 Grab the moulding and slide it down to fully remove it.
14 Here is what it looks like after removing the upper moulding. The lower retainer moulding stays on the body. Do not remove it.
15 Remove the cowling by separating the end first.
16 Continue separating until you reach the other end.
17 To cut the glass out, use the tool of your preference. You can use different tools since there is enough space all the way around. Remember that the pinchweld is uneven on the pillars, and a cold knife could easily scratch the body. When trimming down the urethane, it is easy to scratch the body because of the uneven surface. Make sure to prime where necessary.
18 These windshields are known for heavy contamination on the bonding surface. Following your urethane manufacturer’s recommendations, prep the glass and the vehicle’s body.
19 Reinstall everything in the reverse order of removal. After the dynamic recalibration, do your post-inspection and post-scan, and then this vehicle is ready to go back on the road safely.
Alfredo Calva is the president of Alfredo’s Auto Glass in Corona, Calif.
alfredosautoglass@hotmail.com
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