Tesla Model 3: Glass - Backlight (Remove and Replace)

Glass - Backlight (Remove and Replace) - Remove

Remove

1. Release the clips that attach the screw covers to the LH and RH rear coat hooks.
2. Remove the screws that attach the LH and RH rear coat hooks to the body.
3. Remove the package tray trim. See Trim - Package Tray (Remove and Install).
4. Remove the FM antenna amplifier. See Amplifier - Antenna - FM (Remove and Replace).

5. Remove the bolt that attaches the backlight glass heater ground strap to the LH C-pillar.
6. Remove the backlight glass LH heater ground strap from the backlight glass.
7. Disconnect and discard the backlight glass LH heater ground strap from the backlight glass LH heater connector.

Note: The new backlight glass comes with a new heater ground strap preinstalled.

8. Disconnect the backlight electrical harness from the tuner connector on the RH C-pillar.

9. Disconnect the antenna electrical harness from the turner connector and body harness on the RH C-pillar.
10. Remove the antenna electrical harness from the backlight glass.
11. Disconnect and discard the antenna electrical harness from the backlight glass RH heater connector.

Note: The new backlight glass comes with a new antenna electrical harness preinstalled.

12. Remove and discard the seals from the inside of the backlight glass.

Note: The new backlight glass comes with new seals preinstalled.

13. Open the trunk.
14. Remove and discard the rear seal from the backlight glass.

Note: The new backlight glass comes with a new rear seal preinstalled.

15. Apply masking tape to the exterior of the LH and RH roof pillars to protect the paint from damage.
16. Cut a suitable length of square wire to use with T-handles.
17. Secure the wire to the starter tool and push the tool through the urethane at the lower side of the RH C-pillar.
18. Remove the wire from the starter tool and remove the tool from the urethane.
19. Secure each end of the wire with a T-handle.
20. With an assistant, use the T-handles to cut the urethane that attaches the backlight glass to the body. Cut in a counter-clockwise motion over the top of the backlight glass to the lower side of the LH C-pillar. Return to the starting point in a clockwise motion and continue past the bottom of the backlight glass to the lower side of the LH C-pillar.

Caution:

Use caution when working around the headliner area.

21. Cut the square wire and remove the T-handles.
22. Attach suction cups to the LH and RH sides of the backlight glass.
23. With an assistant, remove the backlight glass from the vehicle.
24. Use a razor blade to carefully remove the old urethane from the body.
25. Use an IPA wipe to clean the urethane path.

Glass - Backlight (Remove and Replace) - Install

1. Attach suction cups to the LH and RH sides of the new backlight glass.
2. With an assistant, position the backlight glass onto the vehicle for a dry fit and note any locations where the net pads need to be adjusted.
3. If necessary, perform net pad adjustment.

1. Cut teflon tape into rectangles having dimensions 5mm x 20mm.
2. With an assistant, remove the backlight glass and set it on a stand.
3. Apply the teflon tape rectangles to the net pads where adjustment is needed.

Note: Make sure that the edges of the tape rectangles align with the edges of the net pads.

4. With an assistant, position the backlight glass onto the vehicle and check the net pads fitment. 
5. Repeat step 3.a through step 3.d to adjust the net pads.

4. With an assistant, remove the backlight glass and set it on a stand.
5. Clean the urethane path on the vehicle with an isopropyl alcohol (IPA) wipe. Allow the surface to dry before continuing to the next step.
6. Apply urethane primer to the vehicle along the urethane path and in areas that were damaged during removal of the backlight glass.

Note: Allow the primer to dry for at least 1 minute.

7. Apply urethane to the body following the original path.

Note: Make sure that the urethane bead has a triangular cross-section of approximate width 8 mm and height 13 mm.

8. With an assistant, install the backlight glass to the vehicle.
9. Check the gap and flush of the backlight glass to the body before fully seating the backlight glass.
10. Close the trunk.
11. Fully seat the backlight glass, check the gap and flush, and adjust as necessary.
12. Apply masking tape to attach the backlight glass to the body while the urethane cures.
13. Remove the suction cups from the backlight glass.

14. Connect the antenna electrical harness to the turner connector and to the body harness on the RH C-pillar.

15. Connect the backlight electrical harness to the tuner connector on the RH C-pillar.

16. Install the bolt that attaches the backlight glass heater ground strap to the LH C-pillar.  Torque 5 Nm
17. Install the FM antenna amplifier. See Amplifier - Antenna - FM (Remove and Replace).
18. Install the package tray trim. See Trim - Package Tray (Remove and Install).

Install the screws that attach the LH and RH rear coat hooks to the body. Torque 2.5 Nm

20. Fasten the clips that attach the screw covers to the LH and RH rear coat hooks.
21. Remove the masking tape after the urethane has cured.

Caution:

Do not drive the vehicle until the adhesive manufacturer's recommended minimum drive-away time has passed. Dow Betaseal Express has a drive-away time of 1 hour minimum in temperatures of 0˚F (-18˚C) or warmer. If using an equivalent product, refer to the adhesive packaging for the safe drive-away time. If necessary, leave the tape applying pressure to the glass on the vehicle and advise the customer that they can remove it after 24 hours. Additionally, advise the customer that they should avoid high driving speeds and speed bumps for the next 24 hours.