525iTA Glass strut replacement.

[dave_in_va]

I am trying to replace the blown struts for the rear glass. The Bentley is useless for this procedure. I can not figure out how to disengage the forward end of the strut. I am not even sure which side it is connected to, left or right. I cant see in to find out.

Anyone have a trick or idea on this?

[ScottyWM]

It's really not too hard, just kind of working in the dark. The end inside the roof is a ball and socket design. You just have to pry the strut up to get it off. Here's a link to Bill R.'s excellent service manual procedure, and a reply from me about not really needing the 'special tool'.
http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=10294&highlight=rear+glass+struts

Here's another post from Roadfly:
http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e34/5561624-1.html

The instructions I used were on the old board format, and I can't get a search to work for it.

Once you loosen things up, you basically just take off the snap ring retainer thing that you can see. Then you have to stick a very long 14" screwdriver thing back in the roof to pry up the socket end of the strut up off the ball. There's a rubber grommet that you have to stick the screwdriver thru to get back to the ball. Putting the new one on is just the reverse, knowing when the ball engages the socket was a little bit difficult. Make sure you have something like a long 2x4 to prop up the glass while you're working on it.

Good luck, if you get stumped give me a holler. Perhaps one of the most satisfying fixes I've done, although I may have permanent brain damage from the damn thing dropping on me.

[dave_in_va]

Cool thanks, I'll get back at it tomorrow.

[dave_in_va]

All I really needed was that one pic that showed that the ball and stud sticks straight up and down, the ETK shows it coming in from the side, and the "experts" on roadfly just seemed to want to say that it was "easy".
I got one side off and now I just need to have the time to do the other.

[ScottyWM]

Good deal, glad you got it. How's Chesapeake doing these days? Lived in Norfolk - Va Beach from '79-'93. Miss all the bars :( and the bikinis :D