How do I remove the windows from the front door of my bus?

dogfinn · 04-01-2010, 09:09 PM

I have a 35 foot 8 window shorty with wheel chair lift that I am converting, I am a virgin at this,

I wnat to remove the four windows from the front door and then weld them together to create a better system for entering and exiting the bus, that you then can lock etc, I willl post pics as I get them, but does anyone have some insite into removeing the door windows.

I have been following this site for while and you guys all ways seem to have the answers or at least you bulls..t your way through.

My bus is a 1998 Thomas T44E which iI believe is a 7.3 L buit by International/Ford ? Any help mwould be greatly aqppreciated.

Thanks for the help

jkindt · 04-01-2010, 09:18 PM

I think we are going to need pics of the bus.

I don't really think of a 35' bus as a shorty, but okay. The windows are usually held in by a thick black rubber gasket. Someone here should know how to remove them. I know to put them back in you use a length of rope and pull them in somehow. I just can't remember exactly how its done at the moment. If I can find my owners manual there is a section that explains how to replace the glass. I will try to find it for you.

lornaschinske · 04-01-2010, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkindt

... If I can find my owners manual...

Where did you locate a Bluebird owners manual? I would love to get one for our BB

jkindt · 04-01-2010, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lornaschinske

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkindt

... If I can find my owners manual...

Where did you locate a Bluebird owners manual? I would love to get one for our BB

It was behind the little door in the bulkhead above the entrance. Guess I got lucky. If I had a scanner, I would scan it for you, but I don't have one. Maybe I will just have to take pictures of all the pages instead.

dogfinn · 04-02-2010, 09:54 AM

Thanks for the input, these windows do have a heavy rubber seal and the windows are double pane safety glass that I am going to put back in after welding the doors together.

I have study these things quite a bit and i cant seem to locate any sort a bead or area that looks like a release, I am assuming the you just have to start at a corner and work the seal untill you can push the window from inside out..... ?

tough little buggers I tell ya, so if any one does have a pic or instructions i would love ya death if you can post it.

thanks

dogfinn · 04-02-2010, 10:09 AM

Thanks Smitty and Jkindt,

but what is btw? I am new so I have no idea waht that means. In my quest for the answers I will try to post a close up of the windows, as I find time.

Smitty, did you weld your doors or rivit (bolt) them together? I was told that the glass has to be removed in order to weld them ( I kinda knew that).

This group is so creative and has so many good ideas that I just can't wait to get in deeper to this project.

Thanks Dogfinn from the Akitabus

jkindt · 04-02-2010, 07:25 PM

You will find that once you remove the rubber weatherstrips that go between the doors that you will have a gap to fill in. It is there so that kids don't lose their fingers or hands if the driver happens to close them in the door. (And it happens, unfortunately!) I will try to get to my manual tonight to see if it explains how to remove the windows. Mine is a Bluebird but it may be the same, or at least close enough to work.

Oh yeah, and nice looking bus, it appears to be in good shape!

dogfinn · 04-02-2010, 07:49 PM

Thanks jkindt, it is in great shape, no rust to speak of, came with on spot auto chains, webasto 2010 collant heater and a ricon lift,

seats are out and I am starting to clean up very messy wiring jobsf rom multiple mechanics that did what ever they thought was right.

Want to buy a rico lift ? lol

Any way thanks for any help you can provide, a mechanic where I work said you just have to apply steady preasure from the inside while you work the rubber seal out of the way, once they are out I reckon it will be a real bitch to get them back in.

Thanks again for your help.

Dogfinn

jkindt · 04-02-2010, 08:01 PM

I got the manual, here is what it says about replacing the glass in the doors...

1) Apply pressure against glass from outside of the bus, starting at a corner and push glass and glazing rubber off of metal flange.
2) Remove glazing rubber from around glass.
3) Replace glass and put glazing rubber on new glass.
4) Wrap a cord around the glazing rubber and rest glass on the bottom flange from inside the bus.
5) Pull cord slowly and work glazing rubber onto metal flange (Fig. 9).
6) Apply pressure to glass from inside of bus to assure proper seal.

Here is a photo of the page in the manual including Fig. 9

Also, is a picture of the rubber around my door which clearly has a filler strip that should be removed to allow the rubber to flex enough to push out. The manual talks about this filler strip on the rear windows. It also says to use a soapy solution to lubricate the rubber and make it easier to remove and insert. Ignore the tape all over my windows in the pic, I was preparing to prime the doors, but now I think I will remove the windows before I prime them.

Hopefully this helps.

jkindt · 04-02-2010, 08:04 PM

Okay...so the pics are good enough to read the text.

And I typed it all out....doh!!!

Here's pics of the page about rear window replacement...

jkindt · 04-02-2010, 08:05 PM

And what the heck, here's the info about replacing the windshield too!

busdriver_phil · 04-02-2010, 08:44 PM

I believe the filler strip is only used on certain windows. Thomas bodies don't use a filler strip in the entrance door, only the windshield. I've seen mention of the string method before, but didn't remember it clearly enough to explain here. The method jkindt posted should work.

lornaschinske · 04-03-2010, 01:22 PM

I don't know if this would help. But we used to have an Eagle Coach (former Trailways bus). I have an article that used to be all over the internet on how to make the two piece Eagle door into a one piece. The Eagle doors were hinged in the middle (like our bluebird). I figure the basic steps would be the same. Here is a link to the page. There are no pic's because I was new to the computer when I saved the info and did not know how to save pics at the time.

http://www.freewebs.com/aluminumasyl...eeagledoor.htm

dogfinn · 04-03-2010, 08:33 PM

Thanks for all the info, I would weld the filler in place with the windows in but I am afraid that the seal will melt, window will break or the whole cotton picking thing will incinerate, I may cheat and take the two halves to a window place and have them remove tthe windows for me before welding... or like Smitty said protect them from slag spatter and go for it. I have tried to remove the windows and have not had any luck... they are in there very well.

Thanks Jkindt for all that extra typing .

Once I get the door done I will post pictures of it...

Thanks again for the help and wish me luck.

Dogfinn

Ob1 · 04-03-2010, 09:47 PM

Post a close-up picture of the glass/gasket/seal area, and I will guide you through the removal.
I have 15 years glass experience...

dogfinn · 04-09-2010, 04:44 PM

Thanks Ob1 I will try to post pic tonight.

dogfinn

dogfinn · 04-19-2010, 03:26 PM

I am a bad boy as I said I would post close up pics of the windows then i didn't. Oh well, just an update, I left the windows in and welded a 3"x1" tube steel right up the middle. The door then had a liitle bow to it but I should be able to get that out with out to much trouble. I have rehung the door and you can hardly tell there is a bow unless you look at the door when it is open and try to really find it. Next I willl install the R/V door handle then post pics of completed front door, I hope.

Thanks again for all the good ideas and help.

Dogfinn