Removing Windshield and stubborn rearview mirror

[jpashley]

I was wondering if it's possible to remove the windshield without disassembling the entire windshield frame? I'm getting windshield frame powdercoated and need to get the windshield out- I was thinking of taking it to an autoglass place and having them remove it (don't want to break it- have you seen the price of those things??)will this be possible?
Also, I read the previous thread on this but.... I've got a stubborn rearview mirror- it's attached to the frame and I've tried twisting it and trying to pop it out but the thing won't budge- am I doing this wrong- I'm twisting it by the plastic arm that hold mirror- any suggestions before I torch or cut it off and totallydestroy a perfectly good mirror?

[nthang]

Soak the mirror connection down with a penetrating oil. Lock a set of vice grips around the botton of the stem of the mirror and twist it clockwise. It will come off.

The frame has to come apart to get the glass out. Take the whole frame off the car and put it on a bench or in a vise. Again soak the bolts in penetrating oil. Soak the rubber gasket in a cleaner like windex or 409 to get it lubricated. It will come apart. If the glass is trash (cracked, fish eyed, delaminated, etc.) toss it and buy a new piece of 5/16" laminated glass for 40 or $50. Any good glass shop can cut it for you. Just bring a drawing with dimensions on it or the old glass.

[Bob Ingman]

Do not turn right hand threads clockwise to loosen. No matter how muck penetrating oil you apply it will still tighten.
Rule of thumb is Righty tighty-Lefty loosey Good luck. Bob Ingman

[jpashley]

Thanks all for the advice- I'll try it out tommorrow and let you know how it goes-

[Kubelmann]

Is your Thing a 73 or 74? This makes a difference. If you have a 73 then the mirror mounts to the door. If this is true take off the door and put the penetration oil (not WD_40) on the inside threads, let is sit and it will spin right off. The stock mirrors have a locking nut adn the threads that attach the mirror. I would find the correct wrench and loosen the locking, then I would run pentatrating oil in the threads. Pateince and persistence is a gift. The good news is, the stock mirrors are chrome plated which will mean that the miror si stuck with flakes not bonded to the door. It will come off with time and patient persistence. Be gentle and slow.

I have heard that some folks have ground the screw head off of the window frames to get them apart. Once apart the threads can be drilled and restored. The glass is flat so as has been said earlier just get new glass in the correct size (unless you are doing a original resto and want the factory marks on the glass) Go slow and careful on all of these procedures. After all what else do we have to do with our time. There is waiting and then there is working on your Thing.. BtW turning things clockwise in North America will tighten them anti -clockwise as they say takes things off.. righty tighty lefty loosey.. (BI) K-mann

[jpashley]

It all worked- sprayed some PB Blaster on the mirror and put some vise grips on it with a cloth and the thing twisted right off- got all the bolts out and removed the window too- gonna get the frame sand blasted and powdercoated- clockwise is lockwise! Thanks.