How to Remove the Side Window on a 1988 Buick Park Avenue

Removing the side window from your Park Avenue is similar to other vehicle models. Perhaps the most difficult part is removing the regulator, but with patience and attention you can remove the window in a matter of minutes.

Tools Used: Duct tape, Phillips screwdriver, Torx screwdriver, 1/4-inch drill bit (6 mm) and electric drill, Vacuum cleaner

Remove Side Window

Park the car in a safe place. Open the hood and disconnect the black, negative cable from the battery.

Raise the side window you need to remove all the way to its full up position and tape the window to its frame using duct tape.

Remove the arm rest, door handle cup, window crank handle and internal mirror control handle if equipped using Phillips and Torx screwdrivers.

Remove the trim panel. Look for retaining screws along the bottom and side of the trim panel, and use a small Phillips screwdriver to remove them. Pry off the trim panel using a putty knife or a trim retaining clip puller. Insert the putty knife or special driver between the trim and the door to disengage the clips from the sides and bottom of the trim.

Disengage the trim panel from the top of the window by sliding the trim up.

Peel back the plastic water shield off the door, being careful not to tear the plastic.

Remove the window regulator that secures the window. Use a 1/4-inch (6-mm) drill bit and electric drill to remove the rivets holding the window to the regulator. If possible, place a block of wood behind the regulator to drill out the rivets. If you are removing a broken window, you do not have to use the block of wood.

Disengage the regulator from the sash channel.

Unplug the electrical connectors if you have a power window model.

Remove the duct tape and the window glass from the door. Clean any traces of drilled material, rivets and glass from the bottom of the window door. You might be able to clean inside the door using a vacuum cleaner with a flexible hose.

Remove any spacers, plastic and metal retainers from the old window to use on the new window glass if necessary.