Back Glass Adjustment?

[TJRick]

I just had my TJ re-painted, and installed all new OEM Mopar seals. When my painter was installing the rear glass, it somehow exploded. So now I also have a new back glass and new Mopar hinges.

Except now the back glass will not come all the way down. That is, when I close the glass , it will stop about 2-3 inches from being completely down. I removed both struts, and the problem remains. As a result, the tailgate has to be *slammed* to get the glass down the rest of the way. I don't like doing that, because I am afraid there is too much stress on the glass. It wasn't like this before - I could close the glass all the way down, and then barely push the tailgate closed.

Looking at the glass, it looks like it *might* be set too far inside at the top, and perhaps that is binding it. But, I don't see how that could be adjusted.

Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[macleanflood]

Pictures? Link a YouTube video?

-Mac

 

[chili_pepper]

I just had my TJ re-painted, and installed all new OEM Mopar seals. When my painter was installing the rear glass, it somehow exploded. So now I also have a new back glass and new Mopar hinges.

Except now the back glass will not come all the way down. That is, when I close the glass , it will stop about 2-3 inches from being completely down. I removed both struts, and the problem remains. As a result, the tailgate has to be *slammed* to get the glass down the rest of the way. I don't like doing that, because I am afraid there is too much stress on the glass. It wasn't like this before - I could close the glass all the way down, and then barely push the tailgate closed.

Looking at the glass, it looks like it *might* be set too far inside at the top, and perhaps that is binding it. But, I don't see how that could be adjusted.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Are you 100% sure it's the correct glass for the top you have? I only mention that as it seems like there are at least 2-3 types of rear glass (maybe more).

Not that it would be inches off, but I can say that i have a replacement glass on my LJ's hardtop (came with) and it does not fit very well. I suspect it's an issue with vertical curvature of the glass piece, but no point of reference.

 

[TJRick]

Are you 100% sure it's the correct glass for the top you have? I only mention that as it seems like there are at least 2-3 types of rear glass (maybe more).

Not that it would be inches off, but I can say that i have a replacement glass on my LJ's hardtop (came with) and it does not fit very well. I suspect it's an issue with vertical curvature of the glass piece, but no point of reference.

Yes, it is the correct glass.

Everything else fits fine - wiper motor, struts, etc.

The glass stops short of closing all the way down. I have to SLAM the tailgate closed to completely close the back glass.

Am I making any sense?

 

[Frank M]

Are the new seals seated all the way?

 

[chili_pepper]

Yes, it is the correct glass.

Everything else fits fine - wiper motor, struts, etc.

The glass stops short of closing all the way down. I have to SLAM the tailgate closed to completely close the back glass.

Am I making any sense?

If you removed both struts AND the glass/hinges are aligned properly, the glass should basically fall into place, slightly proud from seal resistance until the tailgate is closed. If the glass is 2-3 inches away from being closed without the struts installed, there is a glass, hinge or alignment problem...or as @Frank M suggested, the seal isn't seated properly. I'm surprised it hasn't broken the rear glass again at 2-3 inches.

 

[Frank M]

The adjustment on the rear glass is up/down and side to side on each hinge. With the tailgate open reach inside and loosen the nut behind the hinge, just enough for the glass to move. Let the glass move down, closer to the tailgate. You have to remove the cover on the passenger side to access the nut.

Edited to correct which way the glass moves. @chili_pepper jogged my memory

 

[chili_pepper]

The only adjustment on the rear glass is up/down on each hinge. With the tailgate open reach inside and loosen the nut behind the hinge, just enough for the glass to move. Let the glass move down, closer to the tailgate. You have to remove the cover on the passenger side to access the nut.

Mine moves laterally as well as vertically. As well, the mounting surface is at an angle, so as the hinge moves vertically, the glass moves forward/rearward for three planes of movement. Mine's an LJ, maybe it's different.

 

[Frank M]

Mine is an LJ, forgot that it does move laterally. Only had to adjust it when a got the top a few years back.

 

[chili_pepper]

Mine is an LJ, forgot that it does move laterally. Only had to adjust it when a got the top a few years back.

They're actually kind of shit to install and adjust, lots of big tolerances and variables. I still haven't finished adjusting mine since I hastily threw it on just before winter last year (along with the newly refinished top). Not actually looking forward to it.

 

[TJRick]

Mine moves laterally as well as vertically. As well, the mounting surface is at an angle, so as the hinge moves vertically, the glass moves forward/rearward for three planes of movement. Mine's an LJ, maybe it's different.

So if I loosen the hinges to allow the glass to come down, will it also move the glass OUT at the top?

The glass already comes down far enough that it doesn't pop out at the bottom when the tailgate is closed. And it looks centered inside the hardtop.

It appears that the glass is pushed *IN* too much at the top, and pulled *OUT* too much at the bottom. I think that is why it won't close all the way down at the bottom.

 

[Frank M]

@TJRick can you post a couple pictures of the glass?

 

[Wheeling diver]

If I remember correctly the hinges have a left and right orientation and if switched they will cause that problem.

 

[chili_pepper]

So if I loosen the hinges to allow the glass to come down, will it also move the glass OUT at the top?

If you loosen the hinges on the hardtop leaf of the hinge, shifting the hinge down will pull the top of the glass in (and down, obviously). The adjustment isn't massive, but doesn't necessarily need to be to make a significant change.

If I remember correctly the hinges have a left and right orientation

Might be something to this. I couldn't remember but a quick look in the '05 parts list indicates left and right hinge part numbers.

@TJRick can you post a couple pictures of the glass?

This would help.

 

[TJRick]

Thank you, gentlemen.


I checked the back glass with a fresh pair of eyes yesterday, and found two issues:

1. - The weatherstrip on the hardtop side of the glass was put on *backwards.* Reversing it allowed the glass to hinge down to the tub a bit closer than it was before. It is now only about an inch away from being completely against the tub.

2. - I loosened the tailgate striker bolt and adjusted it. The tailgate now closes and latches MUCH better without having to SLAM it.


In order to close the tailgate, I still have the hold the glass down with one hand (with much less effort than before) and close the tailgate with the other.

Is that normal?


Before the glass, weatherstrip, and hinges were replaced, my back glass would easily go all the way down to the tub. I could close the tailgate without holding the glass down with the other hand.

 

[JMT]

A picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[TJRick]

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Do I really need one?

If you have a hard top:
When you close *your* back glass, do you have to hold it down a little in order to close *your* tailgate?

Or can you close *your* tailgate without having to also hold the back glass down?

 

[OldBuzzard]

Most of us have two+ decade old weatherstrip, so comparing with yours may not tell us much. Perhaps yours just needs to compress a little with time and summer sun. Maybe run it a month or two and see if it settles in?

 

[JMT]

Do I really need one?

If you have a hard top:
When you close *your* back glass, do you have to hold it down a little in order to close *your* tailgate?

Or can you close *your* tailgate without having to also hold the back glass down?

I have to push it down to overcome the struts, but after a certain point it virtually shuts on its own. Need pics to see what is different with seals, the glass, hinges, etc…

 

[chili_pepper]

Do I really need one?

If you have a hard top:
When you close *your* back glass, do you have to hold it down a little in order to close *your* tailgate?

Or can you close *your* tailgate without having to also hold the back glass down?

Bear in mind that the tub and top are separate items and I wouldn't bet on everyone's tub and/or top being dimensionally precise to every other. I suspect no one here has the exact same situation. There's also a bit of adjustment when setting the top in place, the connection at the windshield frame having very little but a fair bit top-to-tub at the rear.