WINDSHIELD TRIM TOOL

[Ray Cecil]

I need to remove some windshield trim, and its been awhile since Ive done that. Seems that I bought a tool out of the help section at autozone 10+ years ago, but I cannot find that tool anywhere. Anyone have a recommendation on a tool that works really well? Maybe take a putty knife and modify it? I see several types of tools online, I am wondering which works best.

[85lebaront2]

Ray, I don't have it where I can take a picture right now, but I believe I got it at Autozone. It is T shaped with the upright part of the T being the handle and the cross bar having 2 different hooks which when slid under the side and to trim will hook behind the clips and release them.

[viven44]

I have removed windshield trim using a harbor freight pick before.. any sturdy pick can do it...

If you want to do it effortlessly, this is the tool you need (what the windshield companies use)

https://equalizer.com/moulding-clip-release-tool

This one looks similar
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BBNC2CWD/?coliid=ITUWMDRSD3LP7&colid=3IGQF00LDI4AO&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_lstpd_ASR1EQV7APTSXVWJCB98

[85lebaront2]

Here's the one I have:
https://www.amazon.com/GEARWRENCH-2038-Window-Molding-Remover/dp/B00HSCG4TE/ref=pd_bxgy_d_sccl_1/145-6661957-4472621?pd_rd_w=CuuX5&content-id=amzn1.sym.f7fa8b58-6436-47b8-8741-9e90c231669e&pf_rd_p=f7fa8b58-6436-47b8-8741-9e90c231669e&pf_rd_r=38MFM0QRKH1QZH3DQA07&pd_rd_wg=1NFO2&pd_rd_r=e0a6158a-f098-4bd2-b263-876efdfc36fd&pd_rd_i=B00HSCG4TE&psc=1

[viven44]

Wow, that looks like what you need

[Ray Cecil]

Thanks everyone. The Autozone T shaped one is the one I had previously. Doesn't sound like it has to be a very complicated tool. Understanding how the clip engages the trim is the part I need to grasp now.

[thelastkeg]

I have one that looks like this now.  It always seems like a crap shoot if any of the tools work though.  Sometimes it works flawlessly, and other times it seems like nothing will work.  There are two different style clips if I remember correctly.  

https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Double-Sided-Windshield-Configurations-Removing/dp/B0BLCXNKK6

[BigBrother-84]

Ray Cecil wrote

Understanding how the clip engages the trim is the part I need to grasp now.

I have one like this:


I'm still wondering how to correctly use it without damaging the moulding or the body painting.
I have the tool and... fortunately I also have a good friend who perfectly knows how to use it.

[Bronco638]

I just removed all of the windshield trim on my '80 F-150 and '81 F-100 parts truck. I bought the T shaped tool and found it to be of dubious value. I ended up using a small screwdriver which worked great. I also removed the clips that hold the trim into the windshield channel. I used a small Vice-Grip for that. Just be patient.

[viven44]

I can confirm that the one below works like a charm.... it has just the right leverage to lift the clips underneath and release the trim.

I have removed and installed the windshield trim at least 4-5 times now and I have always just used a harbor freight cheap pick and it did the job but it didn't quite have the leverage. About a month ago when I got the windshield replaced on my FIL's truck I told the windshield guy that I would want to remove the trim myself to ensure it is done the way I liked it... the guy just handed me this one after he saw me struggle with the pick... Man... it made the job like 3 times easier.



https://equalizer.com/moulding-clip-release-tool

[Ray Cecil]

Is the goal to release the clip from the trim, or release it from the little peg on the body inside the window channel?

[viven44]

The goal is to lift the clip enough so the trim will slide out. You can spray some WD40 to help it slide out if you have one that is problematic.

The clip will still be attached to the pegs on the body after the trim is removed... if you have a rusty clip its a good time to replace them. Be careful installing the new clip (i.e. not accidentally bump and crack the window)...

Let me try this acronym. DAHIK

[Ray Cecil]

No idea what DAHIK means....

Thanks for the tip

[viven44]

Its one of those words * ******* ** **** forum .. I think it dates back to the days of the early forums

[Gary Lewis]

viven44 wrote

Its one of those words I learned in this forum .. I think it dates back to the days of the early forums

You just broke one of the rules surrounding DAHIK - you told how you know. 😬

[viven44]

Well before more mortal eyes noticed what I said, I edited away some of it. Hopefully, I shall henceforth do better to conform to the rules of DAHIK

[Gary Lewis]