The Cutting Edge
new car installations

2011 Volkswagen Tiguan
by Jamie Browning

1. GETTING STARTED:
For vehicle and glass preparations please refer to AGRSS/ANSI 002-2002 as well as your adhesive manufacturer’s recommendations. Inspect the windshield for defects and any contamination that may compromise the bonding
of the adhesive. Also look for any distortion, scratches or defects on the glass or moulding. If the vehicle is equipped with an electrochromic mirror or rain sensor, make sure the ignition is off. Using a plastic trim removal tool, operate the locking finger on the right side of the mirror cover in the middle. Unplug the wiring harness and slide the mirror downward toward the dash panel. To remove the A-pillar covers, if needed, pull the cover in the area where it says “airbag” toward the interior of the car. Next, cut the clip at the top. Gently detach the remaining clips and remove the cover from the A-pillar.

Move to the exterior of the vehicle and note the exact location of the left and right drip rails so they can be reinstalled back to the factory location. Start by gently prying with a plastic tool at the top working toward the bottom until the drip rail is completely removed.

The wiper removal can be very troublesome and should be done carefully. The alternating park position function will leave the wiper park position in two alternating positions. You must note the position of the wipers before removing. Volkswagen specifies that the driver’s side wiper must be 10 mm above the lower edge of the windshield at the tip of the wiper and 17.5 mm on the passenger’s side at the tip when in the lower position. Remove the wiper nut covers and the wiper nuts. Use a suitable puller to remove the wiper arms and set them aside.

To remove the cowl panel, remove the entire length of the rubber seal across the bottom and remove the mounting clamps that secure the cowl. Carefully remove the left and right cowl panels starting in the middle and working outward.

2. REMOVING THE WINDSHIELD:
For the sides and top of the windshield, a cold knife or power tool can be used as well as wire. For the bottom, a power tool or wire can be used.

3. PREPARING FOR THE NEW WINDSHIELD:
Trim the existing urethane bead, leaving it 1 to 2 millimeters in height. Use your adhesive manufacturer’s pinchweld primer to prime all scratches, if any exist, and allow it to dry according to your adhesive manufacturer’s recommendations.

4. PLACEMENT OF THE NEW WINDSHIELD:
Dry-fit the new windshield and mark it properly to ensure the correct setting procedure. Prepare the windshield according to your adhesive manufacturer’s recommendations, and then apply the adhesive and install the windshield. Make sure the deck height is correct and the markings on the windshield line up with those on the body that were applied during the dry set.

5. FINISHING TOUCHES:
Install the cowl, wipers and mirror in reverse order from removal and torque the wiper nuts to 20 Newton meters (15 foot pounds). Be sure to check the rain sensor and wiper operation before returning the vehicle to the owner. Check for any leaks and be sure to inform the vehicle owner of the safe drive-away time, according to your adhesive manufacturer’s instructions. Also be sure to record all lot numbers from the adhesive, VIN number and primers, as well as the DOT number from the windshield.

Jamie Browning was the winner of the 2009 Pilkington Clear Advantage Auto Glass Technician Olympics.

REPORTS FROM THE FIELD:
Always follow the AGRSS Standard and wear eye, hand and wrist protection while working on the vehicle. Inform the vehicle owner of the cure time and any other additional precautions before installation.

AGRR
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No reproduction of any type without expressed written permission.